Today the Chairman of the Lowy Institute for International Policy, Mr Frank Lowy AC, welcomed the announcement of a $4M funding grant from the Treasury for the establishment of a G20 Studies Centre at the Lowy Institute. The announcement took place this morning at the Institute’s headquarters in Bligh Street, Sydney.

The new Centre will analyse the changing landscape for global economic governance and the G20's role in the international economy.  It will complement the existing International Economy program at the Lowy Institute.

In addition to publishing original research papers on G20-related issues, the program will produce a 'G20 monitor', develop pre- and post- summit analysis of major G20 meetings, build a domestic and international network of G20 researchers, and host a series of major international meetings and conferences.

“The decision by the Federal Government to support this new G20 research program at the Lowy Institute is a strong vote of confidence in the Institute’s work and its reputation as an important, independent voice in the policy debate,” said Mr Lowy.

“The G20 is one of the most important clubs in the world, and Australia is a member of it,” said Dr Michael Fullilove, Executive Director of the Lowy Institute. “Australia’s task is to use its membership to strengthen global economic governance and find solutions to the world’s most pressing economic challenges. The new Centre’s task will be to inform Australia’s discussions and policies on G20 issues and contribute to international thinking on the G20. ”

As Australia’s leading international policy think tank, the Lowy Institute is a natural home for a G20 research program: it already has a significant record of working on G20-related issues including as a participant in the international Think 20 Initiative and through scholarly membership in  the Shadow G20 established by Columbia University’s Jeffrey Sachs.

More information about the G20 research program is available here: http://www.lowyinstitute.org/programs-and-projects/g20-studies-centre.

Media Inquiries:
Stephanie Dunstan –+61 2 8238 9040 (work) / +61 0435 802 629 (mobile) / sdunstan@lowyinstitute.org

Images:
A selection of still images from the press conference are available for media use: http://www.flickr.com/photos/petermorrisphotos/ Photo Credit: Sydney Heads/Lowy Institute.

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More than half of the Institute’s annual operating income is provided by donations from the Lowy family.  The Institute raises the remainder of its funds from a number of private and government sources.  These include grants from major Australian and international philanthropic foundations; philanthropic donations from private individuals; corporate memberships and sponsorships; grants from the Australian Government and other governments, and events and ticket sales.