May 19th, 2012
Yet all one has to do is look at the targeted agenda at Camp David to see that it does have real things to do, and continuing relevance in today’s global governance, particularly for its members and on matters of particular concern to them.
Although it was agreed under Prime Minister Harper’s chairmanship of both summits in 2010 that the G8 would no longer concern itself with major deliberations and declarations in its communiqué on the global economy (this was the purview of the G20), this year’s summit in Camp David is very timely for leaders to take stock of the continuing economic difficulties in Europe (almost, it could be argued, a matter “internal” to the G8) and the political backlash to the region’s austerity measures.
The discussions on the best path forward are likely to be very lively and frank, as G8 conversations tend to be, and could in fact be helpful to the success of the G20 meeting in June in Mexico. On political issues, an agreed area of continuing G8 relevance, there will probably also be important discussions around what needs to be done to ensure economic sustainability in Afghanistan as the U.S. and other NATO countries downscale their military presence.
This will lead nicely into the NATO Summit that follows in Chicago. Leaders may take some time to look at other trouble spots: North Korea, Iran and the Middle East. And, in follow up to the French Summit last year, they will consider what further steps are needed to implement the Deauville Partnership to promote democratic and economic development in the countries most affected by the Arab Spring.
On its traditional development agenda, the G8 will once again discuss the particular challenges faced by African countries. The line up of African leaders invited to Camp David is changing — at American initiative — from that present at previous meetings, demonstrating the inherent flexibility of the G8 format. The importance of food security will once again be highlighted, as the U.S. returns to the charge of getting others to meet their pledges for funds made at the Italian Summit in 2009 in this area (Canada met its commitment quickly), again playing in nicely to the lead up to Mexico’s G20 where it will also be featured.
It is a significant irony that the United States is now responsible for the ongoing positive evolution of the G8. Two years ago President Obama was openly skeptical about its usefulness and questioned its continued existence in light of the emergence of the G20. Many of us thought that the French Summit in 2011 would be the G8’s last.
In a discussion with media and others in Washington earlier this week on the upcoming Summit, the U.S. “Sherpa” to President Obama, Michael Froman, pushed back on today’s skeptics of the G8. He noted the G8’s strengths were its informality and like-mindedness, its habits of cooperation and ability to get things done. These sound very much like the arguments Canada made two years ago.
By nature, summit systems that are not underpinned by formal secretariats and set agendas, such as the G8, have a way of evolving often in a practical manner, shaped by events that come along, by the needs of the moment (the creation of the G20 summit is the perfect case in point) and by the personalities and priorities of their hosts. It seems clear that starting in Muskoka and now through to Camp David the G8 has nicely re-invented itself as a less ambitious, re-focused forum that still has significant value for those who attend it, and for the world at large.
It also seems to be more broadly accepted that it can work in tandem with the new G20, as we intended in Muskoka. We should wish the Americans good fortune in continuing these trends at Camp David.
Click here to view other columns by Len Edwards.
The views, opinions and positions expressed by all contributors to iPolitics are theirs alone.
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May 19th, 2012
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May 16th, 2012
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May 16th, 2012
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May 13th, 2012
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May 13th, 2012
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May 10th, 2012
MONTREAL – Montreal will experiment with a new type of intersection in a bid to reduce conflicts between cyclists and turning motorists.
Known as a “zone d’entrecroisment,” it will involve cyclist-only green boxes painted in the middle of a street, with cars on either side in turning lanes.
The city will set up one such intersection as a pilot project in July or August. It will be on southbound Square-Victoria St. at St. Jacques St. Currently, cyclists there ride next to the sidewalk and must contend with turning cars.
“It causes frustration for both motorists and cyclists,” said Serge Lefebvre, head of the city’s active-transportation department. Under the new set-up, both cyclists and motorists will be able “see one another and adjust their speed and proceed safely.”
It’s a first for Montreal, but such intersections are in use in Chicago, Portland, Ore., and in Europe cities, he said.
The city will evaluate how cyclists and motorists react to the changes before deciding whether to use the design on other Montreal streets.
The new intersection is part of a $10-million city effort announced this week to improve cycling infrastructure via 46 projects.
In 2012, the city will expand the bike-path network by 35 kilometres. The network currently stretches across 560 kilometres. The city now says it may not reach its goal of 800 kilometres by 2015.
Other projects include:
More “bike boxes” – painted areas at intersections that give cyclists precedence over cars. One was installed at Milton and University Sts. last year. At least two more will be added: Villeneuve and St. Urbain Sts.; and Laurier Ave and St. Laurent Blvd. Three others may also be installed.
Connecting the de Maisonneuve Blvd. bike path and the Jacques Cartier Bridge’s bike path. The de Maisonneuve path will be extended east from Berri St. to Alexandre de Sève St. Work will start late this year and is to be completed in 2013. The city had promised this stretch in 2011.
Installing a bike counter on Laurier Ave., near Laurier métro station. The counter will display the number of cyclists who have passed that day and over the course of the past year. Such counters are used in other cities to encourage cyclists to use paths.
In Ottawa, the city installed a bike counter on new paths it opened last year on Laurier Ave. W., with the data posted online. It’s unclear if Montreal’s count will be online.
View the updated Montreal bike-path map and share your city cycling wish list at montrealgazette.com/metnews
Cheers ! HF&RV……………………………………………………………………………………………………-Les
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May 10th, 2012
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May 7th, 2012
“Intel Futurist, Brian David Johnson has a general conversation with innovator/pioneer, Alan Kay and Intel CTO, Justin Rattner about their role in inventing the future”
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May 7th, 2012
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