New Rules Retreat

New Rules Retreat, July 27, 2005

RETREAT AGENDA

Wednesday, JULY 27, 2005

9:00 am to 5:00 pm

EPI, 1660 L Street, NW, Suite 1200, Washington, DC

9:00 AM: Opening Session

(coffee and “donuts” available)

o Set out expectations and ground rules for retreat and strategic planning process (with proposed follow-up process)

I. Vision(s) for the New Rules for Global Finance Coalition

· What are possible visions for short- and mid-term (3-5 years)?

· Creative Visions and Ideas: “I Have a Scheme”

II. What Should be the Guiding Vision(s) and Mission for New Rules?

A. A Shared Framework for Action: Develop a Logic Map for New Rules (Jim R)

· Vision, Strategies, Activities, Resources, Proposed Outcomes

· Theory of Social Change and Operating principles:

o A network of networks, coalition, multi-stakeholders;

o Policy-relevant research focused on critical emerging issues affecting the global economy

· Key Strategic Relationships and Partnerships

B. Priority-Setting Criteria?

· Capacity to Deliver: Can it get implemented?

· Potential Impact: Will it make a difference?

C. Review (and Adapt?) the Mission Statement(s)

III. Assessing the Strategic Priorities and Opportunities: What are the key accomplishments and lessons to build on what is already in process?

(use annual report)

· FFD recommendations (Aldo Caliari)

· Debt (Frank Schroeder)

· Prudential Regulation (Randall Dodd)

· IFI Governance (Jim Riker)

· EPIAM (Jo Marie Griesgraber)

· Taxes? Volunteer?

· Commodities? Volunteer?

Lunch cum awards ceremony.

Afternoon Session

IV. Strengthening New Rules’ Key Capacities to Fulfill Its Vision & Mission: Focus on New Rules’ Working Groups (vision, strategies, activities, outcomes)

Identifying key capacities we are good at and key capacities we would like to get good/better at as a network/coalition. (Each builds a logic map—per topic)

Priority Setting and Agenda Implications (What is desirable, started, offers high potential impact, and what do we not pursue?)
Fund-raising and Friend-raising implications
How to Enhance New Rules’ Visibility and Impact? Strengthen policy-relevant research, advocacy and communication strategy (i.e., identify clear target audiences and stakeholders)
Recruitment of New Partners and/or Members: Who and what is needed to strengthen key capacities and to address key themes? (identifying complementarities and synergies for joint action)

V. Organizational Structure for the New Rules Coalition

A. Building on the Existing Structure: Key Issues

· Executive Committee (selection process and governance role)

· Steering Committee (how constituted and decision-making role)

· Staff (clarify core roles and modes of action)

· Working Groups (clarify roles and modes of action)

· Members/Listserv recipients (what constitutes “membership”?)

B. Exploring Alternative(s): Affiliation with other “name brand” institution

· Discuss rationale and feedback to date on organizational options

C. Key Issues Going Forward

· Governance and Process issues: How do we make collective decisions? How do we consider and select new issues and priorities? How do we take positions (e.g. sign-on letters, lobbying/advocacy campaigns and action)?

· Relations with foreign governments (e.g., funding, policy positions)

· Do we want/need a high-profile Advisory Group (to put on letterhead, actively engaging, help with fund-raising, etc.)?

VI. Action/Commitments

A. Fund-raising and Friend-raising Strategy: How to sustain resources for realizing New Rules vision(s) and mission?

B. Setting Agenda & Organizational Priorities: Doing it.

C. Programmatic Directions and Activities, such as:

· Agenda specific

· Monthly seminars

· Web site and list serves

· Action alerts

· Monthly newsletter (Bi-monthly?)

o Organization/member of the month

5:00 PM: Retreat Adjourns with a Reception

(Cold beer for those who endure.)

Initial Retreat Outcomes

New Rules for Global Finance Coalition

(JR Draft 9/6/05; revised JMG 9/28/05; updated JR 10/5/05)

I. VISIONS FOR NEW RULES

Overriding Goal: Adequate and secure funding for New Rules Agenda.

VISION 1: New Rules is Recognized as an Inspired (Ethical) Voice and Proactive initiative to Develop and Debate the Possibilities for Alternative Economic Governance Framework and Policy

Proposed Strategy 1: Establish an International Working Group of Top Economists, Political Economists, Development Professionals, Public Intellectuals and Citizens to:

(a) redesign and to challenge underlying assumptions of the current neo-liberal/growth model; and

(b) to articulate an alternative economic model/theoretical framework.

Precedent: Build on New Rules’ Conference on “After Neo-Liberalism: Economic Policies that Work for the Poor” and FFD initiatives.

Proposed Action 1: Engage in a coordinated and sustained policy advocacy and media initiative (e.g., commentary, op-eds) that critiques the neoliberal model and sets out an alternative economic model.

Proposed Action 2: Convene an international conference on the theoretical foundations of an alternative economic model (e.g., Bellagio); Publish & disseminate recommendations.

VISION 2: New Rules Shapes and Shifts the Debate about the Global Financial Architecture and their Democratic Reform and Accountability

Proposed Strategy 1: Strengthen governance mechanisms by engaging in advocacy for democratic reform and accountability of global financial institutions and rules. (Rework Mission Statement to add and emphasize the need for “democratic reform and accountability of the global financial architecture in order…”).

Proposed Action 1:IFI Democracy/Parliamentary Oversight: Establish a global network of civil society organizations, parliamentarians, and scholars to strengthen parliamentary oversight and democratic accountability of the IMF, World Bank and regional banks.

Proposed Action 2: IMF Accountability Working Group: Establish an IMF accountability working group of world citizens and public notables to develop a consensus about a mechanism for global and national accountability of the IMF (and WB?).

Proposed Action 3: IMF Board Reform of Voice and Vote: Strengthen proposals and expand the constituency for equitable representation of developing country voice and vote on the IMF Board; Incorporate into the agenda of Actions 1 & 2 above.

Proposed Action 4: BIS/FSF/Basle Committees: Establish research initiative that removes the veil of secrecy about the standards of BIS/FSF/Basle Committees and assesses the implications for global financial governance.

Proposed Action 5: Global Summitry Reform: Explore possible reforms to G-8 and G-20 (e.g., L20) groupings for global governance (follow up to Brookings initiative?).

Proposed Strategy 2: Strengthen Political Advocacy, Communications and Media Strategy by Disseminating (and Translating) New Rules’ (or others’) Pro-active Agenda and research to appropriate policy makers, media, academia, etc.

Proposed Action 2: Develop ability to work with the media—international, small domestic markets, specialized audiences; blogs; produce policy briefs targeted to decision-makers.

VISION 3: New Rules Creates Environment for Advancing Rules, and Advances Specific Recommendations, for Global Finance where Positive (Systemic) Change is Possible

Proposed Strategy 1: Financing for Development (FFD): Build constituency for prioritizing and implementing the key systemic recommendations of the FFD process.

Proposed Action 1: Work with co-conveners (i.e., ALOP, SEATINI/Kenya) to target dissemination of report and policy recommendations to Executive Directors, UN delegations and staff, NGO representatives, and academics.

Proposed Action 2: Develop a coordinated advocacy and follow-up strategy for action on and implementation of key priorities.

Proposed Strategy 2: International Debt Framework: Have the International Bankruptcy “court” up and running (time frame still to be determined).

Precedent: Build directly on FFD work and Working Group on Debt initiative.

Proposed Action 1: Convene a meeting of key stakeholders (i.e., UN, HIPC, emerging market and develop countries, Northern and Southern NGOs, and representatives from Wall Street) to discuss the International Debt Framework (IDF) proposal and develop a working group for effective debt restructuring initiatives. Work with private sector liaison to explore common ground between private sector, middle income countries and civil society. The IDF approach will be to act toward the goal of full international “black letter law,” building on precedents.

Proposed Strategy 3: Prudential Regulation and Risk Management: Expand the range and repertoire of positive policy strategies, practices, and mechanisms for increasing financial stability and minimizing the risk of developing country governments.

Proposed Action 1: Continued policy-focused analysis and dissemination of policy recommendations (e.g., research presentations, policy briefs, seminars, trainings).

Proposed Action 2: Micro-credit: Focus on the need for developing country regulations that neither strangle micro-credit providers with excess regulations (to avoid money laundering or use by terrorists) nor are too lax regulations (so they can be the vehicle for financial institution deregulation, at the behest of larger international financial corporations).

Proposed Action 3: Address commodity short-term price hedging (see paper used in FFD consultations, especially in Nairobi).

Proposed Action 4: Focus on Access to Credit or Role of the State in the Market. This could include National Development Banks, Commodity price hedging, Micro-Finance, and Taxes. Examine the state’s role in facilitating promotion of National Development Banks.

Proposed Strategy 4: EPIAM: Strengthen ability to analyze, assess and communicate the ethical and poverty impact of international financial rules.

Precedent: Build on EPIAM initiative and make explicit link to other New Rules initiatives (e.g., FFD).

Proposed Action 4: Identify potential leadership and research team; finalize research/case studies; convene research seminar; and publish and disseminate results (targeting key policy-makers).

(Note: because there are not Coalition members prepared to take leadership on the tax issue, staff have been instructed they should not devote their time or energy on this issue at this time)

II. Cross-Cutting Strategies:

Increase Membership and Strategic Partners; Work with SMEs, private sector, parliaments, etc.
Strengthen Integration and Synergies within and across Key Issue and Policy Areas (i.e., from FFD to Working Groups and beyond)
Strengthen Political Advocacy, Communications and Media Strategy

III. Key Characteristics/Values/Working Modes of New Rules

Coalition - that builds on members’ and build strategic alliances with key partners

Collaborative Culture – encourages collaboration that offers the potential to expand and to reach beyond the capacities of any one group or actor.

Convener – Commitment to multi-sectoral and multi-stakeholder dialogue and consultation process.

Catalyst – Initiate exchange and dialogue about key ideas and initiatives for change.

Synthesize policy-relevant Research - Bringing research and policy analysis to bare on critical issues affecting the global economy, especially those in the developing world

Spokes persons - for the Normative View; positive (i.e., pro-active) view