The G-20 in a Post Crisis World
The Club of Madrid and FRIDE have decided to join forces to help adress the challenges faced by the Presidencies of the G-20 in the reform of the international governance system. Through innovative and pragmatic analysis as policy recommendations, the project will stir the debate on some of the most challenging questions on the international agenda (role of the G-20, the G-20 Development Agenda and the reform of the international financial institutions-IFIs) in a long-term and sustainable approach by working closely with the Korean and French Presidencies of the G-20.
The objective is to provide innovative and pragmatic analysis of the acceleration of trends and realignments brought about by the international systemic crisis and contribute to their consideration within the G20 agenda through targeted exchanges of views with experienced leaders, policymakers and scholars focused, particularly, on the reform of the global governance architecture.
Background
The G20’s expanded role and renewed vigour could be the engine of a process leading to a new, more universal, representative, effective and efficient global governance system capable of responding to the systemic causes and effects of the crisis. It must demonstrate that it is not a new forum with old voices that empowers big powers to the detriment of genuine multilateralism. It must be supported in this process to ensure that it serves as an effective transition mechanism, taking us from the ‘informal’ to the ‘institutionalized’ multilateralism needed to better address the needs of the 21st century.
Why
Building on our work on ‘The Political Dimensions of the World Economic Crisis’ and as the world’s largest forum of ex-Presidents and Prime Ministers dedicated to strengthening representative values and leadership around the world, the Club of Madrid and its more than 70 Members, from over 50 countries, can offer current leaders an unequalled body of knowledge and practical political leadership experience on a broad range of governance related issues. Whilst many Club of Madrid Members have led G20 countries, others have experienced the results of its decisions and orientations from the side-lines. The Club of Madrid offers a unique, neutral and independent group of political leaders that can provide peer to peer counsel and strategic advice based on very diverse yet solid leadership experiences. FRIDE, on the other hand, a major Madrid-based European think-tank led by Pedro Solbes, former Spanish Finance Minister and European Commissioner, is actively engaged in influencing policy-making and informing public opinion on democracy; the international system; security and conflict; and development cooperation.
How
Good quality predictive analysis and policy recommendations will be developed on three crucial issues on the G20 agenda:
1. What role for the G20?
2. What role can the G20 play in global development cooperation?
3. The reform of the IFIs; towards greater representation in the global governance system
Club of Madrid Members will discuss and analyze, together with high level experts and academics, during a workshop in July 15-16, 2010 (Seoul, Korea) six policy briefs (two on each of the three key issues), resulting on a final report. These briefs and final report will then be shared with G20 representatives at a pre-G20 Summit Conference to be held in September 1-2, 2010 in Seoul, Korea, as well as with key political, NGO and business sector stakeholders in relevant fora throughout 2010 and 2011.
The pre-G20 Summit Conference will be an important and instrumental meeting where there will be the opportunity to advocate, before representatives of the G20 governments, for the inclusion of vital issues in the agenda for the G20 Summit of November, 2010.
We wish to acknowledge and thank the following organizations that make this initiative possible:
The German Marshall Fund of the United States (GMF) is a non-partisan American public policy and grantmaking institution dedicated to promoting better understanding and cooperation between North America and Europe on transatlantic and global issues. GMF does this by supporting individuals and institutions working in the transatlantic sphere, by convening leaders and members of the policy and business communities, by contributing research and analysis on transatlantic topics, and by providing exchange opportunities to foster renewed commitment to the transatlantic relationship. In addition, GMF supports a number of initiatives to strengthen democracies.
Founded in 1972 through a gift from Germany as a permanent memorial to Marshall Plan assistance, GMF maintains a strong presence on both sides of the Atlantic. In addition to its headquarters in Washington, DC, GMF has seven offices in Europe: Berlin, Bratislava, Paris, Brussels, Belgrade, Ankara, and Bucharest.
The Korea Institute for International Economic Policy (KIEP) was founded in 1990 as a government-funded economic research institute. It is a leading institute concerning the international economy and its relationship with Korea. KIEP advises the government on all major international economic policy issues and serves as a warehouse of information on Korea’s international economic policies. Further, KIEP carries out research by request from outside institutions and organizations on all areas of the Korean and international economies by request.
FKI is a multifunctional association for domestic industries, which exists in the form of an incorporated body. The official name of the organization is the Federation of Korean Industries, which consists of Korea's major conglomerates and associated members. The main objectives of the organization are to help promote sound economic policies, and to internationalize the economy to further enhance the free market economic system and the development of the nation. In order to establish the objectives listed above, various domestic economic issues are addressed and analyzed, and extensive research is being done in order to find effective solutions. Our organization addresses the government on major economic issues and policies, helps promote cooperation with major international and foreign economic organizations, disseminate free market principles and assists corporations in promoting corporate community relations.
