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March 2012 |
A quarterly publication of The Centre for International Governance Innovation |
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Sovereign Debtors in Distress: Are Our Institutions Up to the Challenge? |
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| The Sovereign Debtors in Distress conference, Feb. 24-26, 2012, assembled some of the leading minds in economics to discuss one of the biggest challenges facing the global economy how best to deal with heavily indebted sovereigns. The conference marked the first CIGI-INET annual conference held in Canada. The Rt. Hon. Paul Martin, former prime minister of Canada, opened the conference with a keynote address on the need for a sovereign debt restructuring mechanism that would serve as a "global Chapter 11" rule. Participants brought a broad range of views on all aspects of sovereign debt crises, particularly the need for institutional reform. |
The conference was held at CIGI's headquarters in Waterloo, Ontario. |
Two CIGI bloggers wrote posts during the Sovereign Debtors conference. See below to read an insiders' perspective.
CIGI launches new roster of bloggers |
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| CIGI is pleased to announce its new line up of blogs. CIGI experts are regularly commentating on issues that shape our world, from the global economy to development, security and international politics. CIGI bloggers include Jennifer Clapp, Andrew F. Cooper, Jim Haley, Meagan Kay, Fred Kuntz, Bessma Momani, Pierre Siklos and Gordon Smith. |
From top left, clockwise: Bloggers Bessma Momani, Jim Haley, Andrew Cooper and Gordon Smith. |
CIGI releases two new policy briefs |
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| Over the last 10 years, Brazil has expanded beyond its domestic development strategies to include offering assistance to other countries and their national efforts. Former President Lula da Silva has suggested that the country's experience solving problems in unfavourable conditions make it a good partner for other developing countries. This policy brief considers Brazil's emergence as an environmental donor and describes the Brazilian government's environmental assistance plans. |
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| History, in the form of economic crises, does indeed repeat itself. But there are wide variations across the experiences of individual countries and across time, and the response of policy makers often determines the severity of the recessions that usually accompany financial crises of all types. This policy brief provides a brief history of short selling and its critics, and considers the question of whether a "herd-like mentality" exists during financial crises. |
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US Ambassador David Jacobson speaks on global innovation
Iran and the West: A Dialogue of Ambassadors
CIGI goes to ISA San Diego The International Studies Association (ISA) annual convention is a major international scholarly event, including over 1,000 panel sessions and involving participants from more than 50 countries. Past ISA conventions have been held in cities in the United States, Canada, Mexico and overseas. CIGI will be an exhibitor at this year's convention. Come by the booth in the Exhibit Hall at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront to view our latest publications on global governance. Jonathan Crush, new CIGI Chair Jonathan Crush has been appointed the CIGI chair in global migration and development at the Balsillie School of International Affairs. |
"What's holding us back from innovation?" This was the focal point of US Ambassador David Jacobson's keynote, as he spoke to the sold-out CIGI Auditorium on February 29.
Guest speakers Former US Ambassador Thomas Pickering and Former Iran Ambassador Hossein Mousavian will address how to bring Iran in from the cold of its isolation; how to deal constructively and realistically with Iran's evident determination to achieve a nuclear weapons capability; how to understand Iran's internal divisions and what those divisions make possible, or impossible, in the West's efforts to avoid a war with the Islamic Republic.
