The Global Interdependence Center (GIC) is a

Philadelphia Philadelphia ( ), colloquially referred to as Philly, is the List of municipalities in Pennsylvania, most populous city in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania and the List of United States cities by population, sixth-most populous city in the Unit ...

-based

non-profit organization A nonprofit organization (NPO), also known as a nonbusiness entity, nonprofit institution, not-for-profit organization, or simply a nonprofit, is a non-governmental (private) legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public, or so ...

that holds conferences and programming to increase global dialogue and promote

free trade Free trade is a trade policy that does not restrict imports or exports. In government, free trade is predominantly advocated by political parties that hold Economic liberalism, economically liberal positions, while economic nationalist politica ...

, in order to improve cooperation and understanding among nation states, with the goal of reducing international conflicts and improving worldwide living standards.

History

The GIC was founded in 1976 during Philadelphia's Bicentennial Celebration at convocation of leading United Nations and U.S. officials. Its vision was affirmed in a Declaration of Interdependence, which was crafted by historian

Henry Steele Commager Henry Steele Commager (October 25, 1902 – March 2, 1998) was an American historian. As one of the most active and prolific liberal intellectuals of his time, with 40 books and 700 essays and reviews, he helped define modern liberalism in the Un ...

and signed by international dignitaries. Early leaders in the organization included Nobel Laureate Dr.

Lawrence Klein Lawrence Robert Klein (September 14, 1920 – October 20, 2013) was an American economist. For his work in creating computer models to forecast economic trends in the field of econometrics in the Department of Economics at the University of Penn ...

, Benjamin Franklin Professor of Economics and Finance at the University of Pennsylvania.

Notable programming

GIC hosts and sponsors many programs throughout the year, both in Philadelphia, where it is based, and abroad. Programming comprises international trips, domestic conferences and roundtable discussions. Included among these programs are: Annual Monetary and Trade Conference: This gathering together of global leaders has been held since 1979. Past speakers include

Paul Volcker Paul Adolph Volcker Jr. (September 5, 1927 – December 8, 2019) was an American economist who served as the 12th chair of the Federal Reserve, chairman of the Federal Reserve from 1979 to 1987. During his tenure as chairman, Volcker was widely ...

, chair of the International Accounting Standards Board and former chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System,

Lawrence Kudlow Lawrence Alan Kudlow (born August 20, 1947) is an American Conservatism in the United States, conservative broadcast news analyst, economist, columnist, journalist, political commentator, and radio personality. He is a financial news commentator ...

and

Robert Hormats Robert David "Bob" Hormats (born April 13, 1943, in Baltimore, Maryland) is Vice Chairman of Kissinger Associates. Immediately prior he served as Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment (at the time, entitled U ...

, noted

free-market In economics, a free market is an economic system in which the prices of goods and services are determined by supply and demand expressed by sellers and buyers. Such markets, as modeled, operate without the intervention of government or any ot ...

economists, as well as chief economists for the

International Monetary Fund The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is a major financial agency of the United Nations, and an international financial institution funded by 191 member countries, with headquarters in Washington, D.C. It is regarded as the global lender of las ...

and representatives from global finance and trade organizations. The Central Banking Series: This series assembles well-known bankers to speak on their countries' monetary policies, their views on U.S. economics and the business ramifications of monetary systems. Recent speakers have included

Christian Noyer Christian Noyer (; born 6 October 1950) is a French economist who served as Governor of the Bank of France from 2003 to 2015. In this capacity, he chaired the Bank for International Settlements from 2010 until 2015. He had previously served as v ...

, governor of the Banque de France and Richard Fisher, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. GIC Abroad: Delegations have visited France, Ireland, Estonia, Chile, South Africa and Israel. Delegations generally include business leaders from the United States as well as representatives from central banks of various nations. Celebration of Interdependence: Formerly the Annual Black Tie Gala, the annual Celebration in Philadelphia sees the presentation of the Global Citizen Award to individuals who demonstrate exceptional service to the increasingly global community. Recent honorees include Anthony Santomero, former president of the Philadelphia Federal Reserve Bank, in 2005, Michael Heavener, executive vice president and head of Wachovia Bank's Global Financial Institution and Trade Division, in 2006, Dr. Constantine Papadakis, president of Drexel University, in 2007, Edward G. Boehne, former president of the Philadelphia Federal Reserve Bank, in 2008, and long-time Board Members Sharon Javie and Bill Dunkelberg in 2012. In addition, Dr. Roger W. Ferguson Jr., president and CEO of

TIAA-CREF The Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America-College Retirement Equities Fund (TIAA, formerly TIAA-CREF) is an American financial services organization that is a private provider of financial retirement services in the academic, resea ...

, was awarded the Fred Heldring Global Leadership Award in 2006.

Recent programming

and

References

External links

Company Website

Global Interdepence Center
at '' Condé Nast Portfolio'' {{Authority control Charities based in Pennsylvania Conferences in the United States