The G8 leaders met in the U.K. during June 17–18, 2013, for their thirty-nineth summit. They released a joint communique, an Open Data Charter, and the Lough Erne Declaration, a ten-point agreement addressing issues in tax evasion and trade protectionism.

Education is a linchpin of inclusive economic development, but poor countries in Africa and elsewhere too often fail poor students—worsening inequity and exclusion today, and undermining economic opportunities for future generations.

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Benn Steil's article in the June 2013 edition of History Today takes a critical look at John Maynard Keynes's performance as a diplomat during World War II, concluding that Britain had made a mistake sending him to Washington. His temperament and overinvestment in his personal legacy resulted in Britain paying a high political and economic price for American financial assistance.

Generally, for advanced countries with deep and liquid capital markets like the United States, the best policy is to allow these markets to determine exchange rates.

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Outside of a humanitarian crisis—such as a famine or a natural disaster—it is hard to make the case that any country deserves another's economic support. To paraphrase Britain's Lord Palmerston, countries do not have permanent friends, only permanent interests.

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Joshua Kurlantzick discusses the China model of economic development, which he describes as, "economic liberalization without political liberalization."

Much of the outrage over economic inequality in the United States has centered on the high compensation and lack of accountability that corporate executives supposedly enjoy -- allegedly the result of boards at public companies. The truth, however, is that American CEOs now earn less and get fired more than in the recent past.

Lori Wallach, director of Public Citizen's Global Trade Watch, discusses investment treaties, their implications for policies to promote financial stability and sustainable use of natural resources, and the flaws of the arbitration system used by investors and nations to settle conflicts, with a focus on the global south.

American policymakers have long been concerned about the eroding U.S. advantage in educating science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) students. With much of the assembly work for lucrative high-technology products having moved to Asia, future U.S. prosperity depends increasingly on innovating new products and techniques—innovation that requires training (or importing) a new generation of scientists and engineers.

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The recent announcement of a BRICS development bank raised many questions. Isobel Coleman writes about the potential structure and purpose of the BRICS development bank and its implications for international development and the global economy.

In looking abroad to promote economic growth, Robert Pastor argues the United States need not go further than its two closest neighbors, Canada and Mexico. Leaders of the three countries can build off of NAFTA to create a more seamless market by negotiating a common external tariff, eliminating restrictions on transportation and services, funding new continental infrastructure, and fostering a sense of community among North Americans.

IBM chairman, president, and CEO Ginni Rometty discusses the use of big data and the ways in which organizations are learning to compete in a new landscape, as part of CFR's CEO Speaker series.

IBM chairman, president, and CEO Ginni Rometty discusses the use of big data and the ways in which organizations are learning to compete in a new landscape, as part of CFR's CEO Speaker series.

Mark P. Lagon, CFR's adjunct senior fellow for human rights, leads a conversation on the role of business in international relations and upholding human rights obligations, as part of CFR's Academic Conference Call Series.

Antitrust law, which has evolved primarily through landmark Supreme Court cases, plays an essential role in the maintenance of efficient markets and promotion of long-term U.S. economic prosperity.

The exploitation of Congo's vast resources by competing elites and militaries for personal enrichment promotes insecurity and stymies development. Only very strong Western and African public outcry and a change in China's nonintervention approach might open the possibilities for change.

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Secretary John Kerry gave these remarks at the University of Virgina on February 20, 2013. His speech focused on the importance of foreign aid and a strong U.S. economy in addressing foreign policy challenges.

Peter Orszag outlines the obstacles that China faces on the road to becoming a high-income country and explains why other nations should take note.

Jagdish Bhagwati argues that growth can reduce poverty and that slow economic growth will hurt social development, which he also argues in his new book with Arvind Panagariya, "India's Tryst with Destiny: Debunking Myths that Undermine Progress and Addressing New Challenges."

Mike Duke, president and chief executive officer of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., discusses the role of business in sustainability, women's economic empowerment, food security, and the global middle class.

This meeting is part of the CEO Speaker Series.