London, New York, Shanghai, Dubai, Tokyo – these and other global cities increasingly drive the world, from the global economy to culture and policy. To examine the rise and influence of cities, world-renowned thinkers and leading global cities actors will converge at the upcoming Chicago Forum on Global Cities, hosted June 1-3 by the Financial Times and the Chicago Council on Global Affairs.
This premier forum features unique cross-sector dialogue with leaders in business, education, civics and the arts from around the world, including:
- Carl Bildt, former Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sweden
- Henry M. Paulson, former U.S. Treasury Secretary
- Sultan Sooud Al Qassemi, Gulf-based columnist
- Connie Hedegaard, Former EU Commissioner for Climate Action
- Mayors, including Robert Doyle, Melbourne, Australia; Raymond Johansen, Oslo, Norway; Claudio Orrego, Santiago, Chile; Boris Palmer, Tübingen, Germany; and Paribatra Sukhumbhand, Bangkok, Thailand
- Anne-Marie Slaughter, President and CEO, New America
- Ebtesam Al-Ketbi, President, Emirates Policy Center
- Arne Quinze, artist
- Chan Heng Chee, Chairman, Lee Kuan Yew Centre for Innovative Cities
- Ricky Burdett, Director, LSE Cities
Framing this critical dialogue will be Financial Times editors and columnists, who will moderate sessions focused on key issues facing global cities, such as:
- Inclusivity and inequality;
- Investment and infrastructure;
- Transportation;
- Violence and terrorism;
- Disruptive technologies and the sharing economy;
- Cultural heritage and modernization; and
- Climate change.
“Cities are very much in the news – from the effects of the financial crises and increased violence to terrorist attacks and risks to major events,” said Ambassador Ivo H. Daalder, president of the Council on Global Affairs. “The forum will tackle these issues head-on, bringing not just government leaders but CEOs, artists and scholars into a discussion about how global cities are managing these challenges.”
“Most of us are either living in a global city or being influenced by one, and we have a unique opportunity to discuss the serious issues facing cities with the leaders tasked with the challenge,” said Gillian Tett, the FT’s U.S. managing editor. “The forum provides access to the innovators and decision-makers influencing the role of future cities, and we look forward to bringing this conversation back to Chicago.”
The panel discussions will be live streamed and are open to media. The full forum agenda, speakers lists and live stream sessions are available online at ChicagoForum.org. Speaker interviews are encouraged, subject to availability.
Generous support for the Chicago Forum on Global Cities is provided by AbbVie, UL and United Airlines as Lead Sponsors; Hyatt Hotels Foundation, IBM Corporation, Motorola Solutions, Inc. and Walgreens Boots Alliance as Supporting Sponsors; and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation.
About the Chicago Council on Global Affairs
The Chicago Council on Global Affairs is an independent, nonpartisan organization that provides insight – and influences the public discourse – on critical global issues. We convene leading global voices and conduct independent research to bring clarity and offer solutions to challenges and opportunities across the globe. Ranked No. 1 Think Tank to Watch worldwide, the Council on Global Affairs is committed to engaging the public and raising global awareness of issues that transcend borders and transform how people, business and governments engage the world. Learn more at thechicagocouncil.org and follow @ChicagoCouncil.
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