CIGI panel discussion explores connections between global financial markets and global environment

Media Advisory

September 17, 2009

Waterloo, Ontario – September 17, 2009 – The Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI) is hosting a public panel discussion on September 24, entitled The Global Financial and Environmental Crises: Connections and Parallels?

During the discussion, leading financial and environmental experts will explore the connections between global financial markets and the global environment.

The panelists will probe such questions as: (1) In what ways are the global financial and environmental crises related?, (2) What links could policymakers make between international financial reforms and environmental reforms?, (3) What lessons can be learned from one sector for the other?

The participating panelists are:

Jennifer Clapp is CIGI chair in environmental global governance at the Balsillie School of International Affairs and a professor of environment and resource studies at the University of Waterloo. Her publications include Corporate Power in Global Agrifood Governance (forthcoming 2009), co-edited with Doris Fuchs, and Corporate Accountability and Sustainable Development, co-edited with Peter Utting. Her research interests include: global environmental politics and governance, environment and development, trade and environment/agriculture, global politics of waste, agricultural biotechnology and implications for developing countries, transnational corporations and environment.

Adam Harmes is a political science professor at the University of Western Ontario. He is the author of Unseen Power: How Mutual Funds Threaten the Political and Economic Wealth of Nations and The Return of the State: Protestors, Power-Brokers and the New Global Compromise. His research interests include: international relations, international political economy, global finance, global economic governance, North American economic policy.

Eric Helleiner is the CIGI chair in international political economy at the Balsillie School of International Affairs and a political science professor at the University of Waterloo. He is recipient of the 2006 Donner Prize for his book Towards North American Monetary Union. His areas of expertise include: international financial regulation, the management of international payments imbalances, the history of the Bretton Woods system, the U.S. dollar's role as an international currency, globalization of finance, international debt and North American monetary relations.

Matthew Paterson is a political science Professor at the University of Ottawa. In 2007, he won the prestigious International Political Economy Book Prize for his publication Automobile Politics: Ecology and Cultural Political Economy. His research interests include: climate change politics, global environmental governance, global environmental politics, international relations theory and international/global political economy.

Tony Porter is a political science professor at McMaster University. He is the author of Globalization and Finance and Technology, Governance and Political Conflict in International Industries. His research interests include: private and hybrid public/private rulemaking, the organizational effects in governance of technologies, safety and environmental standards in the automobile industry, business regulation and global governance, including financial regulation.

Dr. Helleiner will moderate the panel discussion, which will be followed by a question-and-answer session.

This free event is open to the public. RSVP at: http://financial-environmental-crises-panel.eventbrite.com

EVENT:

The Global Financial and Environmental Crises: Connections and Parallels?

DATE:

Thursday, September 24, 2009

TIME:

5:00 – 6:30 pm, followed by a question-and-answer session

LOCATION:

The Center for International Governance Innovation

57 Erb Street West, Waterloo, Ontario

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Neve Peric
Media Relations Director, CIGI
Phone: 519.885.2444, ext. 390

The Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI) is an independent, nonpartisan think tank that addresses international governance challenges. Led by a group of experienced practitioners and distinguished academics, CIGI supports research, forms networks, advances policy debate, builds capacity, and generates ideas for multilateral governance improvements. Conducting an active agenda of research, events and publications, CIGI's interdisciplinary work includes collaboration with policy, business and academic communities around the world. CIGI was founded in 2002 by Jim Balsillie, co-CEO of RIM (Research In Motion), and collaborates with and gratefully acknowledges support from a number of strategic partners, in particular the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario. For more information, please visit www.cigionline.org

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The opinions expressed in this article/multimedia are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of CIGI or its Board of Directors.