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The GFCC is pleased to announce that Mr. Clifton Foster has been appointed a Distinguished Fellow, joining a select group of thought leaders contributing to our mission of accelerating competitiveness and innovation around the world. Mr. Foster has built a career at the intersection of international finance, economic policy, and global investment, advising governments, financial institutions, corporations, and private investors on international finance, investment, trade, and

What strategic capabilities are needed to power competitiveness over the next decade? What role can regional cooperation play to ensure energy security? Between October 19–22, senior leaders from government, industry and academia from across the globe will gather in Sofia, Bulgaria, to explore how energy security, future energy grids, infrastructure investment, AI and digital innovation, and next-generation nuclear energy are driving — or constraining — economic transformatio

The next GFCC study trip destination has been set. On the week of February 15, 2027, the GFCC Community will travel to Tsukuba, Japan's leading science city and one of the country's most concentrated hubs of research, technology, and innovation. The visit hosted by Tsukuba Global Innovation Promotion Agency (TGI), in partnership with the University of Tsukuba, marks the program's first stop in Asia, following previous editions in Birmingham, Lisbon, and San Diego. Tsukuba, 56

The GFCC, in partnership with its member Torrens University Australia, has launched a new report examining how societies and organizations are navigating the human-AI transition. The Human Edge: Global Perspectives on AI and Prosperity is now available for download. The report was developed through the GFCC's Global Task Force on Human and AI, chaired by Torrens University Australia Vice-Chancellor Prof. Aleks Subic. It draws on a global survey conducted between November 2025

Credit: Erik Jepsen/UC San Diego San Diego, home to one of the world's most vibrant innovation ecosystems, is the destination of the next GFCC Study Trip. On July 22–23, global leaders from Japan, Romania, Hungary, South Africa, New Zealand, and the United States, representing government, academia, and the private sector, will gather in the city to explore the drivers, strategic frameworks, and innovation toolkits powering the region's ecosystem. Hosted by GFCC member the Uni

As artificial intelligence continues to reshape economies, institutions, and labor markets, leaders around the world are grappling with a critical challenge: how to ensure that societies benefit from the technological progress without widening existing inequality gaps (or creating new ones). Between November 2025 and April 2026, the GFCC surveyed leaders from 32 countries to examine how organizations and institutions are experiencing the human–AI transition. This global resea

Prof. Aleks Subic, Vice-Chancellor of Torrens University Australia at the university campus in Flinders Street, Melbourne. Credit: Torrens University The GFCC is proud to welcome Torrens University Australia to its global network of universities, corporations, and organizations committed to sharing competitiveness best practices and advancing innovation worldwide. Founded in 2013, Torrens University has quickly made a significant impact on Australia's higher education secto

Credit: Photo by Naida on Unsplash. The GFCC is pleased to welcome Dr. Bernadett Petri, Managing Director at the Hungarian Development Promotion Office (MFOI), as an individual member. Dr. Petri is an experienced lawyer and policy expert who represents Hungarian interests within European Union institutions, international organizations, and cooperative frameworks. Her work focuses on facilitating engagement between the EU and project developers in Hungary by strengthening co

St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Sofia, Bulgaria. Credit: Photo by JOGphotos on Unsplash The GFCC is pleased to announce that the 2026 Global Innovation Summit will take place in Sofia, Bulgaria, during the week of October 19–22, hosted by corporate member Glavbolgarstroy Holding AD (GBS). GBS is one of Southeast Europe’s leading construction and infrastructure companies, with more than 55 years of experience delivering complex projects across a diverse portfolio that includ

Credit: CC BY 4.0 The GFCC is pleased to announce that Gallup, one of the world’s most prestigious global analytics and advisory firms, has joined its network of leaders and organizations committed to advancing competitiveness strategies that drive innovation, inclusive prosperity, and sustainable growth. Gallup is a global analytics and statistics powerhouse, collecting data and indicators to measure the state of the world across critical issues in both the public and priv

GFCC Leaders at the X Delphi Economic Forum in Greece in 2025. Global leaders will gather in Greece this month for a timely discussion on the forces shaping the world and impacting competitiveness at the XI Delphi Economic Forum, further reinforcing the GFCC’s role as a strategic content partner to the Forum. GFCC President and Founder, Deborah L. Wince-Smith, will moderate the panel Navigating the Frontiers of Innovation in an Age of Disruption and Discontinuity on April 24

Global leaders speak at Forging the Future: The Intersection of Health, AI ad Tech in Pittsburgh, US, last year. Artificial intelligence and emerging technologies are reshaping societies and transforming entire industry verticals. In healthcare, in particular, they are enabling breakthrough discoveries, accelerating clinical trials, and significantly reducing the time from research to market. Between October 19–21 last year, the GFCC, Council on Competitiveness, the Universit

A newly released report provides a comprehensive account of discussions and lessons learned during the Lisbon Study Trip hosted by the Catholic University of Portugal in July last year. The GFCC Community traveled to the Portuguese capital to explore the local innovation ecosystem and to unpack the strategy behind the city's transformation into a leading hub for innovation in Europe and globally. The agenda included panel discussions and site visits to leading innovation site

The GFCC has launched its 2025-2026 Annual Report - Advancing Competitiveness in an Era of Disruption and Discontinuity , offering a comprehensive account of the organization’s activities, initiatives, partnerships, and global impact over the past year. The Annual Report provides a short summary of key discussions held globally, the publications produced, the partnerships strengthened, and the strategic initiatives advanced throughout the year. Leading in Global Events In 2

The Barbara Weitz Community Engagement Center at UNO. Credit: University of Nebraska System. The GFCC is pleased to welcome the University of Nebraska System to its network of global institutions committed to shaping the future of higher education and advancing place-making innovation. The University of Nebraska System comprises four campus (Kearney, Omaha, Lincoln and the University of Nebraska Medical Center) and is ranked among the top 75 U.S. public universities in resear

Credit: Notre Dame University website The GFCC is pleased to welcome the University of Notre Dame to its global network of thought-leading institutions shaping the future of higher education and innovation. Founded more than 180 years ago and located in South Bend, Indiana (USA), the University of Notre Dame is a preeminent global Catholic research university guided by a mission to serve humanity through education, research, and ethical leadership. Its work consistently bridg

The GFCC is pleased to welcome Academy of Art University to its global community of innovators and thought leaders. Founded in 1929 and located in the heart of San Francisco, United States, Academy of Art University is one of the largest institutions in the country dedicated exclusively to training creative professionals. The university offers programs across 22 schools, spanning art, design, film, communications, and emerging technologies. The institution is widely recognize

The University of Arizona is internationally recognized for excellence in astronomy and astrophysics, hosting multiple NASA-funded initiatives and a long-standing legacy in planetary science.

The GFCC is pleased to announce that the University of Vermont has joined the network, becoming part of a group of more than 20 university members committed to shaping the future of higher education and acting as engines of economic growth in innovation-driven economies. Founded in 1791, the University of Vermont has a long-standing tradition of inclusion and the defense of public freedoms. It was the first institution to declare public support for freedom of religion and the

In a world shaped by rising complexity, rapid technological change, and shifting geopolitical dynamics, societies and economies also stand before extraordinary new possibilities. In her End of Year Letter, GFCC President and Founder Deborah L. Wince-Smith reflects on the network’s achievements in 2025 and commemorates the 15th anniversary of this global community of thought leaders. Click here to read the full letter. Supported by the leadership of Mr. Chad Holliday and the