Interview with Laurent Millischer, Departing Senior Economist at the JVI

Laurent Millischer joined the JVI in 2020. As he moves on to a new role, he reflects on his experience, achievements, and the path ahead.

Laurent, what do you remember from when you first joined the JVI five years ago?

I joined in November 2020, right as we entered another COVID lockdown. It was a surreal time for everyone. At the JVI, it meant months of online teaching. While we managed to deliver high-quality virtual training and webinars, everyone—participants and lecturers alike—was relieved when we returned to the classroom. There’s simply no substitute for discussing economic policymaking face-to-face.

Can you summarize your role and main responsibilities during your time at the JVI?

I was one of two financial sector economists, working on financial markets, financial stability, banking supervision, and macroprudential regulation. Another major focus was climate change economics: we created a dedicated course on the topic, part of which was later adopted by the IMF and is now taught in several regional training centers worldwide. Beyond that, we integrated climate themes into many existing courses—a model I think works well for other cross-cutting issues such as AI, trade, or geoeconomics.

How would you describe your overall experience at the JVI, and what do you consider your key achievements?

The JVI is a fantastic place to work. Vienna is, objectively, one of the best cities in the world, and the JVI offers real intellectual freedom. You can shape your agenda, whether by designing new courses, building partnerships with universities and institutions like the IMF or the OeNB, or engaging in research and technical assistance. That mix makes the work very rewarding.

Was there a moment or experience that stood out in particular?

Yes. When I visited the National Bank of Georgia in January 2025, I kept running into people who had taken my courses at the JVI. Being greeted by former participants throughout the building felt special, it reminded me of the impact the JVI has throughout the region.

What’s next for you after the JVI?

I’m joining the World Bank, where I’ll provide technical assistance to EU accession countries on financial stability, regulation, and supervision. For several of these countries, EU membership is becoming a tangible prospect that could significantly improve people’s lives. My years at the JVI were the perfect preparation for this next step.

Rilind Kabashi, Senior Economist, Joint Vienna Institute