An award aimed at inspiring the next generation of economists has been established in commemoration of Jersey’s first Chief Economist, Colin Powell CBE.
Colin Powell was Jersey’s government advisor between 1969 and 1992, and wrote the Economic Survey of Jersey. Published in 1971, it led to the diversification of the Island’s economy from agriculture and tourism into financial services.
The Colin Powell Award will be part of the prize for the winner of the Future Economists Essay Competition, which is open to Islanders aged 14 to 18.
Entrants can choose to write on one of three subjects, and their essays will be judged on their creativity, economic understanding, use of evidence, and the clarity and conciseness of their writing. The judging panel are:
- Deputy Kirsten Morel (pictured), Minister for Sustainable Economic Development
- Dame Kate Barker, Chair of the Fiscal Policy Panel
- Thomas Holvey, Chief Economic Advisor, Government of Jersey
Deputy Morel said: “Colin Powell’s influence on Jersey’s economy has been unparallelled, and I am very grateful to his family for allowing us to name this award in his honour. It is really important to encourage young Islanders to discuss Jersey’s economic future and I hope that the award inspires them to understand the importance of the work that economists do, and think about economics as an area of study or career.”
In addition to the Colin Powell Award, the winner of the competition will be offered a six-week paid internship with the Government of Jersey’s Economics Unit and their essay will be published in the unit’s first annual economic report. The essays of two runners-up will also be published.
