Every autumn, The Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI) hosts its annual conference. This landmark event brings together accomplished researchers, policy makers, business leaders and journalists to define and debate issues of critical global importance and to identify innovative practices that can assist in meeting global challenges.

CIGI '09 addressed the systemic impacts of the global economic crisis and the long-term prospects for international economic governance. This year’s event was hosted at CIGI’s headquarters in Waterloo, Ontario October 2-4, 2009, and featured a keynote address by the 2008 Nobel Prize Winner in Economics, Dr. Paul Krugman.

The conference addressed two broad themes. First, the impact of the current global economic crisis on the ability of various governance systems to manage globalization and policy priorities. For this theme, speakers discussed the effects of the crisis on global finance, trade and investment, food security and poverty, and environmental challenges. Second, participants debated the shifting role of the state in economic governance, the role of policy coordination and the long-term impact of short-term policy reactions to the crisis.

Friday night marked the start of the annual conference, with an internationally renowned speaker addressing the participants. Saturday consisted of four panel presentations, and two internationally recognized speakers presiding over the opening and closing of the day. The final day began with the last speaker, followed by two panel presentations. Sunday concluded with a moderated plenary session that engaged participants and asked them to deliberate three key questions and possible solutions.