AIER will hold a mini-conference entitled "Prospects for the Acceptance of Competitive Local Currencies: The Future of BerkShares." Several eminent monetary scholars will join BerkShares board and staff to imagine growth to a more independent currency.
 
BerkShares will be discussed in the context of the history of independent currencies.  Speakers will then address how BerkShares could move from federal dollar backing to an index of locally produced commodities such as maple syrup, wool, wood products, local beer, field greens, and local cheese. The conference will also consider the responsibilities of a local reserve board for BerkShares, including regulatory authority, oversight capacity, and other policy-making tools. This discussion will suggest a framework for how and on what basis to issue additional currency.

Finally, panelists will suggest strategies for making loans denominated in BerkShares.
 
This mini-conference is scheduled for July 18th from 3PM to 5PM at the campus of the American Institute for Economic Research, 250 Division Street, Great Barrington, Massachusetts.  The event is open to the public for free, but space is limited and pre-registration is necessary.  To register contact Gretchen Hayn at 413-528-1216 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .  Walker Todd is the conference director.  Short biographies of conference presenters follow.
 
Papers given at the conference will later be available through the American Institute for Economic Research's website www.aier.org and that of the E. F. Schumacher Society www.smallisbeautiful.org. More information about BerkShares and media coverage of the project may be found at www.berkshares.org.

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