IPE is an annual project in which SIBC teams from all three SIBC schools research, prepare and present their findings on a current topic of political economy. The judges are the SIBC donors, SIBC alumni and leading industry professionals. IPE is a friendly case competition type project in which students will gain invaluable research, executive presentation and teamwork skills. The University of Notre Dame SIBC kindly hosted SIBC chapters to present their research during the case competition.
Fall 2023 IPE Prompt: NET ZERO
USD NET ZERO Priority: Financial Drivers and Market Incentives
“I had an amazing time in Chicago and South Bend with SIBC. Preparing for the IPE forum not only taught me about a relevant and interesting topic, net zero financial incentives and market drivers, but also forced me to work efficiently in a small amount of time. I found just this preparation part extremely valuable and I already find myself applying the things I learned and practiced in other parts of my life. Once we got to the travel dates we were all so excited to see a new place so different (and so much colder) than what we are used to. We flew into the Chicago O'Hare Airport and immediately went out to explore the city. We got dinner as a team and got to know each other a little bit better while riding the L (what I learned is Chicago's subway system) and seeing the Bean from an amazing rooftop. The next morning we finished our tour of Chicago and headed to South Bend, where we met the Benedictine SIBC students and got a tour of the University of Notre Dame. Luckily for us, the we enjoyed an unseasonably warm and perfect fall afternoon. After the tour we came together with the other two IPE teams from Notre Dame and Benedictine for our final presentations. We had a round of introductions from all team members and all panelists, then got started with presentations. After the three student presentations we had a chance to as the panelists questions, then ask questions among ourselves. I thought the time we had to discuss our prompts and the things that came up in our research was so valuable, as I found the perspectives of the other students both interesting and unique. This discussion led us to question how we need to move forward as a society and how we as a generation need to make that happen, which was really powerful. Then we ate a short dinner together and spent the rest of the night exploring South Bend in true Notre Dame fashion. The next morning we were up bright and early to cheer on the Fighting Irish in their last home football game against Wake Forest. This was my favorite part of our travel experience, as we got to fully involve ourselves in the culture and traditions of another school that is so different from ours. We also got plenty of time to bond and network with other SIBC members at a SIBC-hosted tailgate. Overall, both preparing for this project and traveling with my team were hugely impactful and valuable in very different ways. I am so grateful I had the chance to be a part of our IPE team this fall and I can't wait to see what the rest of our year brings!”
-Isabelle Jackson
”My experience with the SIBC International Political and Economic (IPE) Team was truly enlightening and professionally enriching. Our team had the unique opportunity to travel to Chicago for a night and then South Bend, Indiana, where we participated in the IPE Forum held at University of Notre Dame. We focused our presentation on exploring the market incentives and financial tools like carbon taxes, cap and trade, and true cost pricing, and how these mechanisms contribute to achieving net-zero goals. The collaborative effort within our team was instrumental in presenting the complexities of these economic instruments and their impact on sustainable practices. Presenting our findings at the University of Notre Dame provided a platform to engage with experts, share insights, and foster meaningful discussions on the critical intersection of business, politics, and environmental responsibility. The experience not only broadened my understanding of international political and economic dynamics but also highlighted the importance of collaborating with and learning from others.”
-Abigail Rodgers
“This year's International Political and Economic Forum was fantastic! The project itself was fascinating - the team thoroughly enjoyed researching emerging net zero topics such as climate accounting, ESG, climate-related financial risk, and carbon cap and trade systems. The forum itself was great; there was an esteemed panel that provided tough questions and great feedback on the presentation. Additionally, all of the teams collaborated and engaged in dialogue about net zero following all of the presentations. It was inspiring to see so many students passionate about net zero. The trip was also enjoyable - Visiting Chicago was a blast, and going to the Notre Dame tailgate and football game was a great experience.”
-William Johnson
