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FES New York: About us

The Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) office in New York serves as a liaison between the United Nations, FES field offices and partners in developing countries to strengthen the voice of the Global South. It contributes to UN debates on economic and social development, and on peace and security issues. Towards this end, FES New York annually organizes some 30 seminars, conferences and roundtables and regularly publishes briefing papers and fact sheets. In addition, it contributes to a dialogue on the work of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund in Washington D.C.

Thematic features include the UN debate on Financing for Development, the reform and strengthening of ECOSOC and the work of the UN Commission on Social Development. In the field of peace and security, the foundation has contributed to the international debate on peacebuilding with a particular emphasis on the UN Peacebuilding Commission. FES New York regularly hosts roundtable discussions bringing together UN delegates, secretariat staff as well as representatives from NGOs and academia. The office also offers capacity building programs such as the “Fall Academy: Understanding the UN” as well as visiting fellowships for policy analysts from the Global South. A newsbrief provides regular updates on FES New York’s activities.

The New York office is located in close proximity to the United Nations headquarters. The office has four permanent staff members and provides internships for students specializing in international affairs, development and economic policy.

Publications

The complete list of FES New York publications

Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung
New York Office
747 Third Avenue, Suite 22B
New York, NY 10017
Tel: +1 (212) 687-0208
Fax: +1 (212) 687-0261

Highlights from New York


Governance, Executive Compensation and Excessive Risk in the Financial Services Industry

The wide range of policy measures adopted during the financial crisis of 2008-09 have helped to circumvent a major global recession while at the same time reinforcing the need for structural reforms in the banking and financial services sector that still have to be addressed by governments.  While the US Congress moves closer to a historic overhaul of its financial system in response to the crisis, the need for policy coordination on a global level has become the main challenge before President Obama and the other G20 leaders preparing for their June summit in Toronto.  One of the chief reforms the G20 has taken on is governance of risk, including the executive compensation practices that encourage excessive risk-taking.  Better governance could contribute significantly to the stability of banks and allow these institutions to resume their basic economic and societal function. This conference brought together the latest academic research and industry best practices on governance and compensation in the financial industry as well as the latest proposals for reform and regulation of these practices, both nationally and internationally.

Friday, May 28, 2010
New York, Faculty House, Columbia University

Program

Conference Website


Towards a Nuclear-Weapon’s-Free World:
German Parliamentarians in Support of a Successful NPT Review Conference

This side event to the NPT Review conference provided the opportunity for an off-the-record exchange between the Bundestag's leading parliamentarians on nuclear disarmament --e.g. Uta Zapf, Chair, Sub-committee on Disarmament (see picture below)-- and participants to the Review conference. UN Missions, nuclear disarmament experts, and non-governmental organizations addressed a number of key challenges for nuclear disarmament and Germany's potential role towards that end.

(Foto: Katrin Heyer)

Wednesday, May 5, 2010, 1.00 pm - 2.45 p.m
Friedrich Ebert Stiftung and the Permanent Mission of Germany to the UN
Conference Room, 22nd floor, Permanent Mission of Germany to the UN, 871 United Nations Plaza

Program


Governance Challenges in Financing Green and Sustainable Energy Policies

The financial crisis that began in the fall of 2008 came on the heels of great turbulence in the energy sector, with increased global demand for oil pushing prices to record highs.  The burden of mitigating and adapting to climate change complicates matters further in terms of financing a green recovery.  These inter-related crises show that the global economy needs a new paradigm for growth, one in which better financial regulation and green-jobs creation can ease the impact of the financial crisis while at the same time enabling policies to promote investment in sustainable and efficient energy systems for countries at all levels of development.  This panel discussion provides a report-back from key figures involved in the April 21, 2010 FES/Brookings Institution experts roundtable on governance challenges in financing green and sustainable energy policies and offers the opportunity for dialogue with members of civil society gathered for their policy forum prior to the IMF/World Bank Spring Meetings.

Presented by Friedrich Ebert Stiftung
Thursday, 22 April 2010
9:00am – 10:30am
Spring Meetings Civil Society Forum
CSO Room A, World Bank Main Building (1818 H Street NW)

Program


Please note that all events are by invitation only.