Centre for International Governance Innovation

[UrbanWaterloo]

Centre for International Governance Innovation
57 Erb Street West, Waterloo
www.cigionline.org

http://www.ccnmatthews.com/logos/20060811-cigi200.jpg


About CIGI
The Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI) is an international think tank founded in 2002. CIGI's main purpose is to address international governance challenges through world-class research. CIGI strives to identify and generate ideas for global change by studying, advising and networking with scholars, practitioners and governments on the character and desired reforms to multilateral governance issues. Through conferences, workshops, publications, public events and technology, CIGI aims to raise capacity to effect change in public policy both in Canada and around the world. CIGI gratefully acknowledges the support of the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario.

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CIGI partners with the Institute for New Economic Thinking
A leading Canadian think tank focused on promoting innovation in international governance supports new economic thinking
Rick Keating - Thursday, April 8, 2010
http://www.cigionline.org/articles/2010/04/cigi-partners-institute-new-economic-thinking

Waterloo, Canada, April 8, 2010 – The Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI) in Waterloo is a partner of the Institute for New Economic Thinking’s (INET) inaugural Conference @ King’s College, Cambridge, U.K.

The conference, The Economic Crisis and the Crisis in Economics, will take place April 8 - 11, 2010 at Cambridge University, reflecting the Institute’s commitment to invigorate the conversation surrounding economic theory, method and policy. The conference will host more than 200 leading academic, business and government policy thinkers from around the world to explore the reasons why prevailing economic theory failed to predict the financial and economic crisis that erupted in 2007-2008. Discussions will examine the implications for reform, provoke creative energy, and foster the development of original contributions to economic thinking.

“The need for innovative approaches, both to economics and international governance, is critical to making progress on the global challenges confronting us today,” said Thomas A. Bernes, acting executive director of CIGI. “Whether it is reforming the financial sector, strengthening development or addressing the issue of climate change, new thinking together with governance changes leading to action are necessary if we are to successfully confront these concerns.”

“George Soros, founder of INET, is the leading visionary business and philanthropic mind of this generation. Jim Balsillie, co-CEO of Research In Motion and founder of CIGI, a Canadian think tank whose mandate is to address international governance challenges, is another example of a great philanthropist and entrepreneur," stated Dr. Robert Johnson, executive director of INET. "It is exciting to see these two great entrepreneurs joining together to advance the thinking and solutions necessary for change.”

“Together INET and CIGI are challenging the imagination to move beyond the existing practice which has been proven to be totally inadequate,” added Dr. Johnson. “It is clear that the scope of national governance fails in comparison to the needs of society today, and, through our partnership, we hope to create purpose in a world that needs to recreate its principles.”

The partnership will engage both organizations to promote and advance their common causes and interests through thought leadership initiatives, educational programs, conferences and events.

For Further Information:
Rick Keating, press contact for INET: +1 917.767.2400 or rkeating@keatingco.com
Mary-Lou Schagena, press contact for CIGI: +1 519.885.2444, ext. 238 or mschagena@cigionline.org

About the Institute for New Economic Thinking:
Launched in October 2009 with a $50 million dollar pledge from George Soros, the Institute for New Economic Thinking promotes changes in economic theory and practice through conferences, grants and education initiatives. The Institute embraces the professional responsibility to think beyond the inadequate methods and models of the world’s financial infrastructures and will support the creation of new paradigms in the understanding of economic processes. For more information please visit: http://www.ineteconomics.org

About The Centre for International Governance Innovation:
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 http://www.cigionline.org


CIGI releases comprehensive Nuclear Energy Futures report
Mary-Lou Schagena - Monday, April 12, 2010
http://www.cigionline.org/articles/2010/04/cigi-releases-comprehensive-nuclear-energy-futures-report

Waterloo, Canada – April 12, 2010 – As the nuclear summit in Washington hosted by U.S. President Barack Obama unfolded today, The Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI) released the main report of its Nuclear Energy Futures (NEF) project online. The undertaking is the culmination of three-and-a-half years of research into the purported nuclear energy revival and its implications for global governance.

The Future of Nuclear Energy to 2030 and Its Implications for Safety, Security and Nonproliferation is a comprehensive report divided into four distinctive and detailed parts as follows:

Part 1 – The Future of Nuclear Energy to 2030: Since the turn of the century there has been a revival of global interest in the use of nuclear energy for generating electricity. Many observers anticipate that after decades in the doldrums, the nuclear energy industry is poised for resurgence. Part 1 of the report assesses the likelihood of a so-called nuclear energy “renaissance” by considering the drivers and constraints most likely to influence decision making about nuclear energy in the coming decades and seeking to discover where the balance will lie.

Part 2 – Nuclear Safety: Nuclear safety has always been among the paramount concerns of those who oppose or are skeptical about the use of nuclear energy for electricity generation. Safety should be a paramount concern of states that host nuclear power plants, the civilian nuclear industry that operates them and, not least, the “new entrant” countries that are seeking nuclear energy ― since a single major accident could kill the nuclear revival. Nuclear safety is relevant to the entire life cycle of nuclear fuels and facilities. Part 2 of the report assesses the safety issues facing power plants as well as conversion, enrichment and reprocessing facilities.

Part 3 – Nuclear Security: Security affects the nuclear industry in a way that it does not affect other forms of energy generation. This is due to the highly secretive nuclear weapons programs from which civilian applications of nuclear energy emerged and to the strategic nature of the facilities and nuclear materials involved. Nuclear security is considered the exclusive preserve of sovereign states in a way that nuclear safety is not, making global governance in this area much more challenging. Part 3 of the report highlights the contrast between nuclear safety and nuclear security regimes, particularly where the latter is complicated by national sovereignty and law enforcement issues.

Part 4 – Nuclear Nonproliferation: The link between civilian nuclear energy and nuclear weapons proliferation has been an abiding one since the dawn of the nuclear age. Long-standing fears of states acquiring nuclear weapons through civilian nuclear energy programs have been accompanied by expectations that a solution might be a system of global governance. Part 4 of the report considers the links between civilian nuclear energy and nuclear weapons, the past history and current state of the global nonproliferation regime, the likely impact that a nuclear energy revival will have on it and ways to strengthen it in advance.

The report warns that increased use of nuclear energy for generating electricity may threaten nuclear security unless steps are taken to prevent this happening, especially in states that have had no experience of a nuclear industry to date. The report also makes recommendations for improving nuclear security worldwide, including the creation of an international security community that exchanges best practice and lessons learned. The report further recommends early entry into force of the Amendment to the Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Material, which would oblige states to improve nuclear security within their territories, not just while materials are in transit.

The main report, which contains more than 400 pages, including figures and tables, complements the NEF Action Plan and Overview which were previously released in March 2010.

2010 will be a pivotal year for nuclear issues. On the heels of today’s summit comes the gathering of parties to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) in New York in May for a review conference, followed by Canada’s G8 Summit in June, where nuclear proliferation issues will occupy a prominent place on the agenda.

CIGI’s Nuclear Energy Futures project is conducted in partnership with the Canadian Centre for Treaty Compliance (CCTC) at the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, Carleton University, Ottawa. The project is chaired by CIGI Distinguished Fellow Louise Fréchette and directed by CIGI Senior Fellow Trevor Findlay, director of CCTC.

To view or download a free copy of The Future of Nuclear Energy to 2030 and Its Implications for Safety, Security and Nonproliferation, or its Action Plan and Overview, please visit: www.cigionline.org/publications/2010/2/future-nuclear-energy-2030

For more information about CIGI, visit www.cigionline.org. For more information about CCTC, visit http://www.carleton.ca/cctc.

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Terrorism Expert and Obama Advisor gives talk at CIGI
Mary-Lou Schagena | April 21, 2010 | Link (http://www.cigionline.org/articles/2010/04/terrorism-expert-and-obama-advisor-gives-talk-cigi)

Waterloo, Ontario – Bruce Riedel, a veteran of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), terrorism expert and special advisor to U.S. President Barack Obama, will speak at The Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI) on April 29, as part of CIGI’s ongoing Signature Lecture Series.

Entitled Obama's War: Prospects for the Conflict in Afghanistan and Pakistan, Mr. Riedel’s talk will focus on the current political situation in these two countries, particularly putting the squeeze on the Taliban and destroying al-Qaida's sanctuaries.

Mr. Riedel is a senior fellow in foreign policy at the Saban Center for Middle East Policy at Brookings Institution in Washington. He has spent a lifetime studying the terrorist group al-Qaida and its roots through three decades of work at the CIA. His long and distinguished career includes top positions at the Pentagon and the National Security Council, including senior advisor to three former U.S. presidents on Middle East and South Asian issues. In 2009, at the request of President Obama, he chaired the White House review to overhaul U.S. policy on Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Author of The Search for Al Qaeda: Its Leadership, Ideology, and Future, as well as Al Qaeda Strikes Back, Mr. Riedel has won several medals for meritorious service for his work in the intelligence and defense communities, including the Department of State Meritorious Honor Award in 2006.

A panel discussion and question-and-answer session follows Mr. Riedel’s talk. Responding to Mr. Riedel’s presentation are CIGI Senior Fellow Mark Sedra, an Afghanistan expert, and Balsillie School Director and CIGI Distinguished Fellow Ramesh Thakur. Janet Lang, a scholar with the Balsillie School of International Affairs, will moderate the discussion.

EVENT: Obama's War: Prospects for the Conflict in Afghanistan and Pakistan

DATE: Thursday, April 29

TIME:
7:00 – 7:50 pm, lecture
7:50 – 8:10 pm, panel discussion
8:10 – 8:45 pm, Q&A session

LOCATION: The Centre for International Governance Innovation - Atrium

MEDIA CONTACT: Mary-Lou Schagena, Communications Specialist
Telephone: 519-885-2444, ext. 238 | Email: mschagena@cigionline.org

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CIGI G20 conference focuses on issues and options
The Honourable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance, addresses conference
Mary-Lou Schagena | WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28, 2010 | Link (http://www.cigionline.org/articles/2010/04/cigi-g20-conference-focuses-issues-and-options)

Waterloo, ON – In the run-up to this year’s G8 and G20 Summits hosted by Canada, The Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI) is hosting a conference on May 3-5, 2010 for the purpose of evaluating options for the G20 on fundamental financial, economic and governance issues.

International Governance Innovation: Issues for 2010 Summits will bring together more than 60 leading international academics, think tank experts, government officials, former policy makers, and career diplomats from Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, France, India, Mexico, as well as Portugal, South Korea, the United Kingdom and the United States.

The conference focuses on four broad themes: (1) Role of the new Financial Stability Board (FSB) in reducing risk and fostering stability in the international financial system, (2) Future working of the framework for strong, sustainable and balanced growth which was launched at the September 2009 Pittsburgh summit, (3) Future G20 agenda and, by extension the role of G8, plus questions of process, outreach and legitimacy, (4) How a network of think-tanks could support the G20 and the best approach to achieve this.

The conference program starts May 3 with a dinner keynote address by The Honourable Jim Flaherty, Canada’s Minister of Finance, at Langdon Hall in Cambridge, Ontario. Mr. Flaherty will be available for a media question-and-answer session between 5:00 – 6:00 pm in the Orchard Room. Also, his speech is open to the media.

On May 4, there will be three panel discussions on the following topics: role of the FSB; future of the framework for strong, sustainable and balanced growth; and the future of summits. The Right Honourable Paul Martin, former prime minster of Canada, will close Tuesday’s proceedings with a dinner keynote address.

The final day of the conference features a morning panel discussion on the role and value of a network of think tanks in support of the G20.

The concept of a leader’s level meeting of the group of 20 nations to address major global challenges first emerged from discussions by CIGI and several of its partners in work that began in 2003 and has since continued. Over the past six years, CIGI has produced a wealth of rigorous analytical research on a range of international governance issues, including the urgent need for the establishment of the G20 as the world’s premier forum for addressing global problems.

The full range of CIGI’s research on the structure and viability of creating the G20 at the leaders’ level is available at: http://www.cigionline.org/project/leaders-20-l20-project and http://www.cigionline.org/project/breaking-global-deadlocks. Also, see CIGI Policy Brief #7: Global Governance for a Global Age: The Role of Leaders in Breaking Global Deadlocks at: http://www.cigionline.org/publications/2008/11/global-governance-global-age-role-leaders-breaking-global-deadlocks

The outcomes from the conference will build upon CIGI’s work which has been at the forefront of research and dialogue on the institution and role of the G20.

The conference is not open to the public. On May 4 and 5, the conference is under Chatham House Rule. Media are welcome to attend and may report on events without attribution.

EVENT: International Governance Innovation: Issues for 2010 Summits
DATE: Monday, May 3 – Wednesday, May 5, 2010
TIME: May 3, 6:00 – 9:00 pm | May 4, 9:30 am – 9:00 pm | May 5, 9:30 am – 2:00 pm
LOCATION: Langdon Hall (May 3) 1 Langdon Drive, Waterloo, Ontario | The Centre for International Governance Innovation (May 4-5) Atrium 57 Erb Street West, Waterloo, Ontario
MEDIA CONTACT: Mary-Lou Schagena, Communications Specialist | Telephone: 519-885-2444, ext. 238 | Email: mschagena@cigionline.org

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Minister Paradis to Speak at Canada-U.S. Clean Energy Dialogue Event
Jan 24, 2011 | Link (http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/Media-Advisory-Minister-Paradis-to-Speak-at-Canada-US-Clean-Energy-Dialogue-Event-1384532.htm)

WATERLOO, ONTARIO - On Tuesday, January 25, the Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of Natural Resources, will provide the keynote opening address at Smart Grids in the North American Context: A Policy Leadership Conference.

Location: The Centre for International Governance Innovation, 57 Erb St. West, Waterloo, Ontario
Date and Time: January 25, 2011 8:35 a.m. EST