With a Basic Income all members of society are entitled to a set amount of income paid by the government, after reaching a certain age. With the rise of unemployment in EU, is an expansion of Basic Income a good way to handle the ongoing crisis?

In Norway there already exists a form of Basic Income in effect. All members of society receive a pension once they reach a certain age. Is it possible to expand this principle to encompass members of a younger age? The Bergen Student Society wants to explore the idea of Basic Income as an alternative to the current welfare state and debate the costs and effects it could bring to society.

One of the founding members and co-president of «Basic Income Earth Network», Guy Standing, will explain the idea of basic income. He will be joined by Alf-Erling Risa, professor of economics at UiB.