The Festival of Economics, one of the largest events of its kind in the UK, returns to Bristol this month promising a broad and inclusive agenda of talks and discussion.
The festival, led by Bristol Cultural Development Partnership as part of the year-round Festival of Ideas, is in its sixth year. 
Its line-up of speakers, including former prime minister Gordon Brown, economics commentator Stephanie Flanders and Nobel Prize-winning Jean Tirole, is expected to draw in more than 5,000 people.
Triodos Bank, Europe’s leading sustainable bank with its UK headquarters in Bristol, is headline sponsor for the first time and will be promoting messages around sustainable finance, ensuring that lessons are being learnt by the financial industry 10 years on from the economic crash.
The festival, between November 13 and 18, has been programmed by Professor Diane Coyle (University of Manchester) – winner of the recent Indigo Prize for suggesting a better way to measure the wealth of modern nations than gross domestic product (GDP).
Festival of Ideas director Andrew Kelly said: “Each year, experts from around the world debate with each other – and their audiences – some of the key economic questions of our time.
“We’re honoured this year to have over 50 speakers looking at issues as wide ranging as the economics of the NHS, the fourth industrial revolution, and the future of money.
“We’re delighted this festival is now associated with Triodos Bank. We have aspirations to make the festival bigger and reach new audiences, and the bank’s support will help us achieve this.”
The festival is highly regarded for its free events and accessible pricing. It includes a day for schools to debate economics issues with free entry, travel grants, and free attendance at the wider festival events.
It also includes an annual schools competition where six schools compete against each other on solutions to pressing economic and societal problems.
Triodos Bank UK managing director Bevis Watts said: “It is high time more alternative thinking is promoted around our economic and financial system and for us to work harder to create a global economy that works better for people and planet.
“We need to move the debate on from what has gone wrong. In banking, we have proven at Triodos that money can be a force for social, cultural and environmental good and deliver sustainable growth. This is why we remain optimistic and have put our support behind this fantastic festival and greater debate on an alternative economic future.”
Festival highlights include:
Keynote Address from Stephanie Flanders, former BBC economics editor and head of the newly formed Bloomberg Economics unit. November 15, 6.30pm
Eric Beinhocker of University of Oxford and author of the influential The Origin of Wealth. November 16, 6.30pm
Ahead of the festival, Robert Peston, political editor of ITV News, will speak about his new book WTF: What the F—Happened and What Happens Next? November 10, 18.30
Season tickets are now on sale: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/bristol-festival-of-economics-2017-season-ticket-tickets-36544541708
Tickets for individual events also available: http://www.ideasfestival.co.uk/whats-on/seasons/economics/
