Why should the Corporate community join the Cleveland Council on World Affairs?
Cleveland and region are standing at the crossroads of globalization. The hallmarks of globalization –increased speed of communications and reduced costs of mobility - have overrun traditional notions of sovereign borders and domestic, insulated economies. Today, for Cleveland and Northeast Ohio, globalization means that we must compete for economic advantage – talented workers, new businesses, and capital –with their counterparts around the world. The stakes are high – with the cost of failure being immeasurable.
To succeed in this global competition, cities must be agile and smart. They need the most modern means to move people, goods and ideas. They need a global reach and a global reputation. In short, economic vitality is critical. If Cleveland succeeds in this contest, both Cleveland and Northeast Ohio will enjoy economic and social opportunity for all of its citizens and not just an elite class, for if we become a truly global destination, a rising tide will surely lift all boats. If we fail, as many economic and social indices sadly reveal, Cleveland and the region will continue a downward slide in terms of population and job loss.
How, then, can Cleveland and Northeast Ohio successfully chart its future in this complex, global arena? Many ideas, programs and proposals from many sectors of our society are at work on positioning Cleveland and the region for the coming global fight. The risk, however, is that if these initiatives are forged in separate silos or behind closed-doors, the complexity of these issues and their attendant consequences may sink our ship before it leaves port. To this end, the Cleveland Council on World Affairs has created a dynamic, new forum dedicated to the global economy and world markets entitled “Global Cleveland”. We will kick-off this new forum in our new fiscal year beginning July 1st. This forum will examine in depth complex issues of globalization and their impact on our cities and region with the assistance of leading globalization experts as well as business and political leaders, both here and abroad. Issues such as:
- The real economics behind NAFTA
- The forgotten man behind manufacturing job loss in Northeast Ohio – Productivity
- The rise of Sovereign Wealth Funds and their influence on US Financial Markets
- The dearth in Northeast Ohio of foreign born talented students, workers and entrepreneurs
- The rise of Asian powers
- US Policy in the Mideast and impact on OPEC and world energy prices
- Will the Euro supplant the dollar as the world’s currency?
- The extension of Federal Reserve Regulation to Wall Street and the Investment Banking Sector
- Do we have the best playing field to compete globally?
- Transportation infrastructure
- Digital infrastructure
- Education infrastructure
- State and Local Tax regimes
- What opportunities and new business models will arise from our efforts to become a Green City?
The Council envisions the Global Cleveland Forum to be a dynamic meeting place where positions and opinions of business executives, entrepreneurs, investment bankers, professional service providers, academicians and political leaders are shared and tested in the crucible of robust debate and discussion. The Forum shall be a critical bridge of insight and perspective between the complex issues of globalization and their economic and social impact upon Cleveland and Northeast Ohio.
The Council for over eighty years has been the premier forum in Northeast Ohio for illuminating difficult issues of national security, foreign policy and world affairs. Please join us in our effort to open a new serious and engaging dialogue across Northeast Ohio with our new Global Cleveland Forum.
Cleveland Council on World Affairs Corporate Membership information is included in this website for your review. Thank you for your consideration.