Latest Publications

Intellectual Property Rights and International Trade: An Overview

Fri, 18 May 2012 14:23:23 +0000

There have been extraordinary changes in intellectual property (commonly referred to as IP) law and policy over the last 20 years, many as the result of their intersection with international trade and the numerous international trade agreements brought into force during this period. The increase in cross-border exchanges of goods, services, capital and knowledge is one reason for this shift; structural changes in all economies — with knowledge emerging as society’s most important tradable economic asset — are another.

Financial Stability Board: The Arduous Road to Mission Accomplished

Fri, 18 May 2012 13:52:35 +0000

Collected Series:

Perspectives on the G20: The Los Cabos Summit

Pull Quote:

Growing concerns about implementation problems are undermining confidence in the G20’s accomplishments in the area of international financial regulatory reform.

Since the international financial crisis of 2008, the G20 has devoted extensive attention to the improvement of international financial regulatory standards. Having agreed on a wide range of new standards, the G20 is now facing growing questions about whether these will actually be implemented at the national level in a consistent manner. In addition to recommitting themselves to adopt these standards, the G20 leaders should use the 2012 Mexican summit to strengthen the capacity of the Financial Stability Board (FSB) to address this issue.

Fundamentals Lost: Failures of Policies and Governance to Promote Economic Growth

Thu, 17 May 2012 19:40:54 +0000

Collected Series:

Perspectives on the G20: The Los Cabos Summit

Pull Quote:

It has become imperative to restore impaired balance sheets by setting debt levels on a sustainable track.

As we approach the Los Cabos summit, it is easy to be downbeat about the state of the global economy. The G20 goals of a full recovery from the Great Recession and putting the global economy on a sustainable growth path, as outlined in the Cannes Action Plan for Growth and Jobs, are not only far from realization, but they have also suffered serious setbacks due to failures of policy and governance.

Los Cabos and Climate Change: The Art of the Possible

Thu, 17 May 2012 14:13:14 +0000

Collected Series:

Perspectives on the G20: The Los Cabos Summit

Pull Quote:

Mexico should highlight the economic case for taxing “bads” and subsidizing “virtues.”

Advocates all want to get their pet topic discussed at the G20. Economic and financial crisis issues will dominate. Employment and commodity price volatility are next in line. Development, corruption, tax havens and anti-money laundering, drug trafficking and transnational crime, protecting the marine environment and resuscitating trade negotiations will all compete for attention. Climate change will receive very little agenda time.

The Evolving Role of the G20

Thu, 17 May 2012 13:45:37 +0000

Collected Series:

Perspectives on the G20: The Los Cabos Summit

Pull Quote:

The single most important reform of the G20 process would be to concentrate the proceedings more clearly on the leaders themselves.

In considering the evolving role of the G20, it is worth reflecting upon the factors that shaped the group’s original mandate. As the first decade of the new century progressed, it became increasingly clear that the international balance of power had shifted, but the institutional framework, which sought to manage the global economy, had not adapted to reflect this new reality.

Afghanistan as a Test of Canadian Politics: What Did We Learn from the Experience?

Tue, 15 May 2012 16:06:51 +0000

This paper considers lessons that can be drawn from the Canadian effort in Afghanistan, especially the challenges of trying to build security, governance and development in Kandahar. First, it examines how the Canadian Forces (CF) adapted over time, both in Afghanistan and in Ottawa. Second, it looks at the challenges presented by a minority government and what can be learned from this political context.

How Perks for Delegates Can Influence Peace Process Outcomes

Wed, 25 Apr 2012 18:32:37 +0000

This paper examines the impacts that luxurious perks for delegates, such as paid daily allowances, have on peace talks. Drawing on the Burundian peace processes held in Arusha in Tanzania and the Seventh Round of the Inter-Sudanese Peace Talks held in Abuja in Nigeria, shows that perks can unintentionally prolong peace talks. For some of the delegates, staying free of charge in five-star hotels and receiving the equivalent of five months’ pay in one week of per diems made continued talks more attractive than achieving peace.

UN Peacekeeping: 20 Years of Reform

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 16:09:05 +0000

Peacekeeping is as old as the United Nations (UN). For many decades, it consisted essentially of the interposition of lightly armed troops to act as neutral observers of a truce or a peace agreement. The end of the Cold War opened a new chapter in the history of peacekeeping. Peacekeeping operations have expanded dramatically in the last two decades and are now multidimensional, with complex mandates in increasingly difficult, and often dangerous, environments.

Russia as a Re-Emerging Donor: Catching Up in Africa

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 16:56:44 +0000

Russia was “almost too late in engaging with Africa.”

“Work with our African partners should have been started earlier.”

“Africa is waiting for our support.”

- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev summing up his African visit, June 29, 2009 [1]

Does it make sense to speak of Russia as an “emerging donor”? At first glance — not really.

The Caribbean Maritime Transportation Sector: Achieving Sustainability through Efficiency

Wed, 07 Mar 2012 21:15:28 +0000

The port structure of the Caribbean has been heavily influenced by global change over the last 200 years. The historical context — colonialism, piracy and slavery — meant that ports were originally designed to serve colonial interests. The advent of containerization and globalization have dramatically changed cargo shipping, while at the same time, cruise tourism has increased significantly — the Caribbean accounts for 50 percent of the global market — which means that cargo and cruise ships now compete for limited berth space.