Fiscal Challenges Facing Cities: Implications for Economic Recovery
Full Event Audio: Part One
November 19, 2009
The current economic crisis is not only a national crisis; it is also a metropolitan crisis. And soon the downturn will bring a local government fiscal crisis. On November 19, the Brookings Metropolitan Policy Program and the National League of Cities co-hosted a forum on city fiscal conditions, the responses being undertaken by creative mayors, and the implications for national economic recovery.
Cities, Global Financial Crisis, Fiscal Policy, U.S. Economy
Fiscal Challenges Facing Cities: Implications for Economic Recovery
Full Event Audio: Part Two
November 19, 2009
The current economic crisis is not only a national crisis; it is also a metropolitan crisis. And soon the downturn will bring a local government fiscal crisis. On November 19, the Brookings Metropolitan Policy Program and the National League of Cities co-hosted a forum on city fiscal conditions, the responses being undertaken by creative mayors, and the implications for national economic recovery.
Cities, Global Financial Crisis, Fiscal Policy, U.S. Economy
The U.S.-Israel Partnership: Can New Governments Overcome Old Challenges?
November 14, 2009
On November 14-16, 2009, the Saban Center for Middle East Policy at Brookings brought together top Israeli and American policymakers, journalists, and members of the public and private sectors to Jerusalem for discussions on the most critical issues in the Middle East.
Middle East, Arab-Israeli Relations, Diplomacy, Israel, Islamic World
The Hidden People of North Korea: Everyday Life in the Hermit Kingdom
November 10, 2009
On November 10, Kongdan Oh and Ralph Hassig will discussed their new book The Hidden People of North Korea: Everyday Life in the Hermit Kingdom (Rowman & Littlefield, 2009). For decades, the people of North Korea have lived in extreme isolation under a closed and repressive regime, where individual rights are restricted and the regime exercises complete control over the political class and legal systems.
North Korea, Human Rights, Civil Liberties, Northeast Asia
Could the WTO Better Serve the Poor?
November 09, 2009
While developing countries struggle to improve their economic status in an environment of increased globalization and trade, the World Trade Organization's dispute settlement mechanism continues to disproportionately benefit wealthy nations. On November 9, Brookings held a discussion on recent efforts and suggested proposals to help developing countries overcome hurdles imposed by the WTO.
World Trade Organization, Developing Countries, Trade Disputes, Trade, Globalization
Improving Broadband Innovation and Investment
November 09, 2009
Broadband and wireless technologies are key elements of our nation’s economic, social and civic development. With the Federal Communications Commission’s stated goals of bringing broadband access to all Americans, it is crucial to determine how to be innovative when investing in broadband infrastructure. On November 9, the Brookings Institution hosted a policy forum to examine this issue and to discuss ways to overcome barriers to developing this infrastructure.
Broadband Policy, Federal Communications Commission, Infrastructure, Telecommunications, Technology
Obama Goes to Asia: Understanding the President’s Trip
Jeffrey Bader, November 06, 2009
President Barack Obama is scheduled to arrive in Tokyo on November 12, beginning his first trip to Asia as president. He will also travel to China, South Korea and Singapore, where he will take part in meetings of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum. On November 6, Brookings hosted a discussion of President Obama’s trip and the issues he is likely to face.
Asia, China, Japan, Environment, Trade
What Health Care Innovation Means for Consumers
November 05, 2009
Health care innovation, done right, creates opportunities for consumers to control their own health records, rate physicians and hospitals, learn from other patients and focus on positive health outcomes. On November 5, Brookings hosted a policy forum to discuss the ways in which digital technology can empower patients and enhance the quality of the American health care system.
Health Care, Health IT
The Role of Humanitarians in Government: Perspectives on Advocacy and Impact
November 04, 2009
Whatever their rhetoric, national security policymakers have often viewed humanitarian response as marginal to the international community’s involvement in issues of war and peace. However, the reality is that humanitarian situations have long affected political and security issues. On November 4, the Brookings hosted Eric Schwartz, Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees and Migration, to discuss the challenges of implementing humanitarian programs and affecting policy in government.
Human Rights
Global Environmental Challenges and the Role of Faith and Religious Freedom
November 04, 2009
On November 4, the Brookings Institution hosted His All Holiness Bartholomew, Archbishop of Constantinople, New Rome, and Ecumenical Patriarch of the Orthodox Christian Church. In his speech, His All Holiness addressed how global environmental challenges relate to the role of faith and religious freedom in public life.
Climate Change, Environment, Global Warming, Religion
Designing a Cap-and-Trade System for the United States
November 04, 2009
As attention to U.S. climate legislation has been increasing on Capitol Hill, Brookings hosted a discussion on a new series of papers on U.S. climate policy design. These papers acknowledge the complexity inherent in climate policy; explain the fundamental challenges involved in addressing a particular set of design features; and suggest a credible path forward, calling attention to tradeoffs where they exist.
Climate and Energy Economics, Climate Change, Energy Security, Environmental Regulation, Environment
The European Union’s Eastern Partnership, Energy Security and U.S.-EU Cooperation
November 02, 2009
As the nations of Eastern Europe, the Balkans and the South Caucasus seek to strengthen their relationships with the European Union, the EU shares an interest in enhancing security, good governance and free markets on its eastern frontiers. As part of that effort, the EU established the Eastern Partnership. On November 2, Brookings co-hosted a conference on the European Union’s Eastern Partnership with the Embassy of Poland, the Delegation of the European Commission, the Embassy of Sweden and the Heinrich Boll Foundation.
Europe, European Union, Eastern Europe, Energy Security
The Future of Unmanned Naval Technologies
November 02, 2009
On November 2, Brookings hosted Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Gary Roughead. Admiral Roughead discussed the U.S. Navy’s use of new technologies, and its development and integration of unmanned systems into the current and future Navy force structure.
U.S. Military, Military Technology
Nuclear Renaissance and the U.S.-Japan Alliance: Finding New Markets and Preventing Proliferation
October 30, 2009
On October 30, the Center for Northeast Asian Policy Studies at Brookings and the Slavic Research Center at Hokkaido University hosted experts from Japan and the United States for a conference looking at nuclear energy and nuclear nonproliferation. Topics included trends in international nuclear markets, the U.S. approach to nuclear energy and the future of nuclear nonproliferation.
Japan, Nuclear Weapons, Nonproliferation, Energy Security, Defense
The Role of the Military in Climate Change and Security
October 29, 2009
The impacts of climate change are increasingly felt and observed around the world, especially in the areas of water resources and food production. On October 29, the Energy Security Initiative at Brookings, the Institute for Environmental Security, CNA, E3G and the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars hosted a discussion on the real dangers for conflicts and disputes resulting from resource shortages, water rights and natural disasters.
Energy Security, Climate Change, U.S. Military, Global Environment
Is America Really an Opportunity Society?
October 27, 2009
Despite its status as one of the world’s leading and most innovative economies, the United States is faced with high poverty rates and less economic opportunity than many other affluent countries. On October 27, Ron Haskins and Isabel Sawhill discussed their new book, Creating an Opportunity Society, which explores what it will take to help more people achieve the American Dream.
U.S. Poverty, Economic Mobility
The Global Economic Crisis of 2008: What Happened? What’s Next?
October 27, 2009
On October 27, the Brookings Doha Center hosted a luncheon with Glenn H. Hutchins, co-founder and co-chief executive of Silver Lake Partners, and a trustee of the Brookings Institution, on the build-up to the global financial crisis, highlighting the important policy implications of the global recession.
Global Financial Crisis, Global Economics, Global Finance
Jean Pisani-Ferry on the Transatlantic Economy After the Global Financial Crisis
October 26, 2009
On October 26, the Center on the United States and Europe at Brookings hosted Jean Pisani-Ferry, a leading French economist, to deliver the Sixth Annual Raymond Aron Lecture. Mr. Pisani-Ferry assessed the impact of the global financial crisis on the closely intertwined economies of Europe and the United States, and their influence on the world economy.
Global Financial Crisis, Transatlantic Relations, Europe, U.S. Economy, European Union
Health Care and Health Insurance for Childhood Disorders
October 23, 2009
On October 23, Brookings host eda discussion featuring a group of individuals committed to the cause of childhood health care. In particular, the discussion focused on health care and insurance coverage for autism spectrum disorders and vascular birthmark issues, which together affect over two million Americans.
Health Care, Children & Families
The Afghanistan Debate: Assessing the President’s Policy Options
October 16, 2009
President Obama's decision on whether to send more troops to Afghanistan is being portrayed as the most momentous of his young presidency. On October 16, the Brookings Institution hosted a discussion of President Obama’s policy options for Afghanistan, drawing on experts with a diverse range of views.
Afghanistan, U.S. Military, Foreign Policy, Terrorism, The Presidency
Metropolitan Planning for Sustainable Growth
October 13, 2009
The Obama administration has proposed a new agenda for urban policy that includes an integrated sustainability model for connecting infrastructure investments, especially transportation, to housing, land use and the environment. On October 13, the Brookings Institution’s Metropolitan Policy Program hosted a panel discussion around building smartly for the future.
Cities, Infrastructure, Housing, Environment
Consumer-Driven Medicine: How Digital and Mobile Technologies Can Improve Health Care
October 08, 2009
Physicians, hospitals, the pharmaceutical industry, insurance companies and government agencies dominate American health care, with patients largely left out of the process. On October 8, The Brookings Institution hosted a policy forum to discuss how digital technology could empower patients and enhance the American health care system.
Health Care, Health IT, Technology
What the Public Thinks about Health Care Reform
October 08, 2009
On October 8, the Brookings Institution and WorldPublicOpinion.org, a public opinion project managed by the University of Maryland’s Program on International Policy Attitudes, unveiled new survey research about public attitudes on health care reform.
Health Care, Polling and Public Opinion, U.S. Congress
The 2009-2010 U.S. Supreme Court Term
October 07, 2009
The U.S. Supreme Court’s 2009-2010 term, set to begin on October 5, will consider major arguments on issues ranging from state’s rights and separation of powers to dog-fighting videos. On October 7, the Brookings Judicial Issues Forum hosted a panel discussion to preview the most anticipated and important cases.
U.S. Supreme Court, Justice and Law, Judges, U.S. Judiciary
Breaking the Immigration Stalemate
October 06, 2009
The Obama administration has committed to tackling immigration reform. But despite all the problems of our current system—threats to the rule of law, exploitation of vulnerable newcomers, real and perceived competition with Americans for jobs and public resources—reform will be exceedingly difficult. On October 6, Brookings hosted an event to release a report proposing six policy changes, including emphasizing enforcement at the workplace, setting standards for the legalization of illegal immigrants and establishing an independent Standing Commission on Immigration.
Immigration, Justice and Law, Labor Markets, Migration
Velvet Revolutions from Prague to Tehran
October 06, 2009
As we approach the twentieth anniversary of Czechoslovakia’s Velvet Revolution, closed regimes like Iran are trying to learn how to prevent similar "velvet revolutions" in their own countries. On October 6, the Brookings Institution hosted a discussion on the challenges and opportunities posed by nonviolent civic movements for political change around the world.
Civil Society, Democracy Promotion, Human Rights