A global network or steering group is required where government leaders can broker decisions leading to pragmatic solutions to global commons problems. Such a global network can gauge reactions and provide expert advice on potential solutions and policy initiatives.

The Breaking Global Deadlocks project examines, advocates, and supports the mobilization for a Leaders Summit (L20) and preparatory process with inclusive representation to enable the creation of effective ‘bargains' or ‘package deals' to resolve global challenges. This initiative seeks to create Chatham House rule events for experts and decision makers to discuss innovative ways to address global problems.

A joint initiative between CIGI, the Centre for Global Studies, with the substantial financial support of the IDRC, this project was established in 2003 under the name of the "L20 project". Each phase of the project has demonstrated that summit reform, which includes an improved representation of the international community, could better address the global problems that require global solutions.

The project brings together experts on a variety of current and pressing substantive topics with summit planning teams from foreign ministers and international organizations to: 1) better prepare the summits; and 2) engage a diverse mix of actors beyond the G8 nations, including G5 governments, think tanks and research centres.

PARTNERS

• Centre for Policy Research (CPR)
• Centro Brasileiro De Relacoes Internacionais (CEBRI)
• International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
• Mexican Council on Foreign Relations (COMEXI)
• Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Secretariat
• South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA)
• The Centre for Global Studies (CFGS), University of Victoria
• The Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies at Stanford University (FSI)
• The Rockefeller Foundation
• Tsinghua University
• World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD)

RECENT PROJECT ACTIVITIES

Global Governance ... New Approaches?
28-29 April, 2009 -- Paris
In partnership with the OECD and CFGS, this workshop discussed the future of the Gs (G5, G7, G8 and beyond) as retroflection after the G20 Summit and the impact of the economic crisis on power distribution amongst other issues. Read more>>

International Financial Governance: Toward the London G20 Summit
9 February 2009 -- London
A Chatham House rule event co-hosted by The Brookings Institution, CFGS, and CIGI held in London with UK officials from several ministries and officials from additional G20 countries. The thematic focus was on four key aspects of the governance and institutional reform of the international system in response to the global financial crisis and the need to address pressing long-term global challenges. Read more>>

Climate Change, Energy and Food Security
13-14 November 2008 -- Rio de Janeiro
This meeting was hosted by the Centro Brasileiro de Relações Internacionais (CEBRI) and convened by the University of Victoria's Centre for Global Studies and the Centre for International Governance Innovation. The Chatham House rule meeting focused on the potential of the November 15th Washington leaders' G20 meeting and Brazil's role and contribution in future leaders' level fora. Although the leaders' G20 meeting was called to discuss the global financial crisis, it presented a significant opportunity for global governance innovations, particularly for nations such as Brazil. Read more>>

Briefing with the Italian G8 Team
13 October, 2008 -- Rome
CIGI and CFGS organized a Chatham House rule event with the Italian G8 Sherpa team. Topics discussed included G8 summit expansion, the implications of the financial crisis, approaches to break the climate change/energy security deadlock, initiatives to counter nuclear proliferation, development imperatives, the Afghanistan conundrum, methods to engage civil society, proposals to increase the accountability and credibility of the G8 process, and potential future geo political surprises that could complicate Summit preparations. Read more>>

Modernizing the G8 Summit
18-22 August 2008 -- Bellagio, Lake Como, Italy
The Rockefeller Foundation's Frati Centre in Bellagio hosted a four day conference which sought to promote the ideas of G8 summit enlargement and to progress towards an established process for dialogue on global policy proposals between the global network of research institutions and the government officials who prepare Leaders' Summits. Read more>>

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE L20 PROJECT: http://www.l20.org/