Multilateralism
Elections in Europe: the "Network" Effect
The electoral map of Europe changed on the weekend. If there is one clear message that the people of France and Greece sent to their governments, it is that, like Howard Beale in the movie Network, they are mad as hell and aren't going to take it anymore. The election of François Hollande, who campaigned on converting the euro zone fiscal stability pact to a growth pact, and political disarray in Greece, introduce additional uncertainty to the outlook.
We live in interesting times.
The Victory of Hollande
The victory of France’s Francois Hollande and the Greek fringe parties in Sunday’s elections will do more than change the discourse in Europe from austerity to growth. Over the coming weeks, the crisis of confidence will move from the streets and into the European capitals’ hallways of power.
Kick Argentina out of the G20? Absurd
Expelling Argentina from the G20 "would be the beginning of the end" for the international leaders forum, writes CIGI Chair of Global Governance Jorge Heine.
Grants of up to $250,000 available for researchers through CIGI-INET’s Spring 2012 Program
The Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI) and the Institute for New Economic Thinking (INET) are accepting research proposals for their joint Spring 2012 Grant Program, with grants ranging in value from $25,000 to $250,000.
Carleton prof to head CIGI global security research program
The Ottawa Citizen reports on Fen Osler Hampson joining CIGI as a distinguished fellow and director of the global security research program.
The Challenge for Rio+20: Countering Two Decades of Inaction
To mark the 20th anniversary of the 1992 Earth Summit, the United Nations is holding its Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio de Janeiro in June 2012. For a better understanding of the issues at play and a sense of what to expect from “Rio+20,” we talk to CIGI Distinguished Fellow David Runnalls.
CIGI appoints Fen Osler Hampson as a Distinguished Fellow and Director of Global Security research program
The Centre for International Governance Innovation is pleased to announce the appointment of Fen Osler Hampson as a Distinguished Fellow and Director of the Global Security research program, effective July 1, 2012.
A tale of two very different summits
"The outcomes could not have been more different — one a resounding success, the other a remarkable fiasco," writes CIGI Distinguished Fellow Jorge Heine in comparing the recent BRICS summit and the Summit of the Americas.
Jobs and Inclusive Growth: the IMF finally catches up to reality
Last year, the IMF created a working group to examine one of the most pressing issues facing the global economy and development today: jobs and inclusive growth. The problem exists in both the developed world and the developing world. Indeed, the Arab Spring and protests throughout southern europe have brought this issue to greater light. The working group reported its preliminary findings today at the IMF World Bank Spring Meetings, seeking the feedback of civil society actors and think tank fellows like yours truly.
Capital controls: a panacea to global imbalances?
At the IMF and World Bank spring meetings in Washington, D.C., there continues to be great talk about the merits of capital controls. Particularly because we live in a time where developed countries continue to have low interest rates and developing countries have high interest rates that effectively cause a rapid and large influx of capital moving into developing and emerging market economies.
Is Constrained Discretion the Future of Global Financial Regulation?
The previous post, The Governance of Global Capital,makes the point that efforts to strengthen the Financial Stability Board (FSB) are needed to get the governance of global capital "right." The over-arching goal is to prevent another financial crisis that could undermine the international consensus on open, dynamic and liberal trade and payments.
Thomas A. Bernes: Overview of Paradigm Lost Conference
"The dominant issue was the situation in Europe, where the mood was that, clearly, Europe has not yet found a solution to its problems," CIGI Executive Director Thomas A. Bernes discusses the highlights of INET's Paradigm Lost Conference in Berlin and new initiatives for the CIGI-INET partnership.
Will the BRICS Nations Evolve into a More Powerful Bloc?
“ All indications are that this 'emerging-powers club will continue to grow into a significant agenda-setting body,” CIGI Distinguished Fellow Jorge says of the fourth annual BRICS summit, as part of the Latin America Advisor's Featured Q&A.
CIGI co-sponsors conference on strengthening the FSB
CIGI, along with the Bank of Mexico and the Bank of Canada, was a co-sponsor of a conference on the strengthening of the Financial Stability Board (FSB), held in Mexico City April 12-13, 2012.
Inside the Issues Special Edition 2.26 - Iran and the West
In a special edition of Inside the Issues, host David Welch moderates a panel discussion on relations between Iran and the West. Panellists include: former U.S. ambassador Thomas Pickering and former Iranian ambassador Hossein Mousavian and Balsillie School of International Affairs Professor James Blight, who begins the dicussion by asking "Why can't we transcend our differences?"
G20, czyli większy prestiż
"Consistency in [G20] membership is important to ensure continuity of action but you want the players with the most power at the table. There is no easy way to establish a satisfactory criterion or weighting for G20 membership," says CIGI Project Officer Deanne Leifso. (Note: This article is only available in Polish.)
Paradigm Lost: Rethinking Economics and Politics
The Institute for New Economic Thinking, CIGI and the Mercator Research Institute on Global Commons and Climate Change host its third annual plenary conference in Berlin from April 12 to 15, 2012. The conference, entitled “Paradigm Lost: Rethinking Economics and Politics," takes place in the Axica Conference Center adjacent to the world famous Brandenburg Gate.
A diminished Canada at home and abroad
CIGI Distinguished Fellow Paul Heinbecker comments on what a cut to Canada's department of foreign affairs budget will mean for Canada's international engagement and its ambassadors.
Canada abandons its principles in automatic backing for U.S. World Bank candidate
Yesterday, an op-ed that I co-authored with CIGI Junior Fellow Xenia Menzies was featured on The Toronto Star’s website.
Entitled “Canada abandons its principles in automatic backing for U.S. World Bank candidate,” we examine what’s at stake if Canada endorses American Jim Yong Kim.
Budget Folo: Diplomacy Lost?
In an interview with As it Happens on CBC Radio One, CIGI Distinguished Fellow Paul Heinbecker discusses what cuts to Canada's department of foreign affairs will mean for Canada's international engagement.