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Global Impact

An in-depth exploration of the Center for Global Development (CGD), an influential think tank shaping international policy through rigorous research and active engagement.

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About CGD

Organization Overview

The Center for Global Development (CGD) is a nonprofit think tank dedicated to reducing global poverty and inequality. It achieves this by encouraging policy changes in developed nations through evidence-based research and active engagement with policymakers.

Locations

CGD operates with a global perspective, maintaining headquarters in two major international hubs:

  • Washington, D.C., United States
  • London, United Kingdom

This dual presence facilitates engagement with diverse policy environments and stakeholders.

Mission and Approach

CGD's core mission is to foster policy changes that promote global development. It positions itself as a "think and do" tank, emphasizing the translation of research findings into practical, actionable policy proposals. This approach involves rigorous analysis coupled with direct engagement with the policy community.

Founding & Evolution

Genesis and Early Years

Founded in November 2001, CGD emerged from the vision of prominent figures in international economics and policy: Edward W. Scott (former senior U.S. official), C. Fred Bergsten (director of the Peterson Institute for International Economics), and Nancy Birdsall. Birdsall, with her background at the Inter-American Development Bank and the World Bank, became the center's first president, guiding its initial trajectory.

Recognition and Growth

CGD has consistently been recognized for its influence. In 2015, the University of Pennsylvania's "Global Go To Think Tank Index Report" ranked it 13th globally in international development. Earlier, in 2009, Foreign Policy magazine's Think-Tank Index listed CGD among the top 15 overall think tanks in the United States, underscoring its growing impact on the global policy landscape.

Infrastructure Development

In a significant move to enhance its operational capacity and public engagement, CGD acquired a new headquarters in November 2013. This facility includes a state-of-the-art 170-seat conference center, a 60-seat boardroom/ideas lab, and a multimedia studio, enabling the organization to host a greater number of impactful events and dialogues.

Core Focus Areas

Aid Effectiveness

CGD is renowned for its research on aid effectiveness. President Nancy Birdsall pioneered the "Cash on Delivery" (COD) Aid initiative, which aims to improve aid outcomes by focusing on results rather than inputs, thereby enhancing the impact of foreign assistance.

Global Health & Economics

The center addresses critical global health challenges, including the race against antimicrobial resistance, and explores the economic dimensions of development. Reports like "The Race against Drug Resistance: When Medicines Fail" highlight their commitment to evidence-based solutions.

Migration & Trade

CGD's research examines the complex interplay between human migration and development, as well as the role of trade policies. Initiatives explore how labor mobility can serve as a tool for disaster recovery and how trade preferences can be reformed to benefit developing nations.

Environment & Climate

Addressing environmental issues pertinent to development is a key area. CGD has supported initiatives focused on tropical forests for climate mitigation and development, recognizing the interconnectedness of environmental sustainability and economic progress.

Key Programs & Initiatives

Debt Relief

CGD has been instrumental in advocating for and facilitating debt relief programs. Notably, they played a role in the debt buy-back proposal for Nigeria, which led to significant debt forgiveness from the Paris Club. Similarly, they advised Liberian leadership on debt relief and aid coordination.

Vaccine Development

CGD conceptualized and championed "advance market commitments" (AMCs) to incentivize the development of vaccines for diseases disproportionately affecting low-income countries. This approach has garnered international support, including substantial funding commitments from governments and foundations.

Commitment to Development Index (CDI)

In partnership with Foreign Policy magazine, CGD publishes the CDI annually. This index assesses and ranks nations based on their policies in areas such as aid, trade, investment, migration, environment, security, and technology, evaluating their commitment to fostering global development.

The CDI evaluates countries across seven critical policy domains:

  • Aid: Both quantity (as a share of income) and quality.
  • Trade: Policies that promote fair and beneficial trade for developing nations.
  • Investment: Encouraging productive and sustainable foreign investment.
  • Migration: Policies related to the movement of people and its development impact.
  • Environment: Contributions to global environmental sustainability.
  • Security: Policies that promote global peace and stability.
  • Technology: Sharing and development of technology for global benefit.

Illicit Financial Flows

CGD actively researches and advocates for policies to combat illicit financial flows, which drain vital resources from developing countries. This initiative seeks to improve transparency and accountability in the global financial system.

Funding & Transparency

Diverse Funding Streams

CGD sustains its operations through a diversified funding base, receiving support from various sources including foundations, governments, corporations, and individual donors. This multi-faceted financial structure supports its independent research and policy advocacy.

Commitment to Transparency

The organization places a strong emphasis on financial transparency. CGD publishes details of grants and donations exceeding $100,000 on its website. This commitment has earned it high ratings, such as the top five-star rating from Transparify for its open disclosure practices in 2014 and 2015.

International Support

CGD receives significant international backing. For instance, the government of Norway provided $5 million to support its work on tropical forests and development. Reports indicate that CGD has received substantial funding from outside the United States, while maintaining commendably high transparency regarding its sources.

Engagement & Dialogue

Hosting Impactful Discussions

CGD is a vibrant hub for dialogue, hosting approximately 200 public and private events annually, attracting over 7,000 participants. These events serve as crucial platforms for discussing pressing global development issues.

Notable Speakers

The center frequently convenes influential figures in global affairs. Past speakers have included U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, economist Paul Romer, and UK Secretary of State for International Development Andrew Mitchell, among many other distinguished leaders and experts.

Sabot Lecture Series

In honor of the late development economist Richard "Dick" Sabot, CGD hosts the annual Sabot Lecture series. This prestigious lecture features scholar-practitioners who have made significant contributions to international development, bridging academic insight with policy leadership. Past speakers include Lawrence Summers, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and Lord Nicholas Stern.

Key Personnel

Resident Fellows

CGD benefits from the expertise of its resident fellows, who are deeply involved in the organization's research and policy initiatives. Notable figures include Nancy Birdsall, Kalipso Chalkidou, Michael Clemens, Lant Pritchett, and Liliana Rojas-Suarez.

Visiting Fellows

The center hosts visiting fellows who bring diverse perspectives and experiences. Prominent individuals who have served as visiting fellows include Joyce Banda, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and Antoinette Sayeh.

Non-Resident Fellows

CGD's network extends to distinguished non-resident fellows, renowned academics and practitioners who contribute their insights from various institutions. This group includes Nobel laureates Abhijit Banerjee and Michael Kremer, as well as Francis Fukuyama, Paul Romer, and Branko Milanović, among others.

Stance on Transphobia

Legal Proceedings and Beliefs

In 2019, a tribunal involving former visiting fellow Maya Forstater considered claims of belief discrimination. An initial ruling found Forstater's "gender critical" views incompatible with human dignity and not protected under the UK Equality Act 2010. However, this judgment was later overturned in June 2021 by an Employment Appeal Tribunal.

The Employment Appeal Tribunal ruled that the belief that "biological sex is real, important and immutable" met the legal test for a protected philosophical belief under the Equality Act 2010. The appeal tribunal concluded that these beliefs were afforded protection and overturned the original ruling that they were "not worthy of respect in a democratic society." The case involved interventions from the Equality and Human Rights Commission and Index on Censorship, supporting the view that 'gender critical' perspectives could constitute protected beliefs.

CGD's Vice President, Amanda Glassman, expressed disappointment, stating belief that the original verdict correctly identified the harm caused to trans people by such speech. This sentiment was echoed by 87 staff members who signed an open letter to management, expressing their disappointment with the appeal ruling and reaffirming their belief in the original verdict's findings.

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References

References

A full list of references for this article are available at the Center for Global Development Wikipedia page

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Disclaimer

Important Notice

This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is derived from publicly available data and may not be entirely comprehensive, accurate, or up-to-date.

This is not policy advice. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for professional consultation regarding international development, policy analysis, or economic strategy. Always refer to official documentation and consult with qualified experts for specific applications or advice.

The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.