GLOBAL CREATIVE LEADERSHIP SUMMIT - Artinfo

THE GLOBAL CREATIVE LEADERSHIP SUMMIT 

www.creativeleadershipsummit.org 

LOUISE BLOUIN FOUNDATION 

GLOBAL CREATIVE LEADERSHIP SUMMIT 

SEPTEMBER 23 - 25, 2009 

NEW YORK CITY 

WWW.CREATIVELEADERSHIPSUMMIT.ORG 

LOUISE BLOUIN FOUNDATION, 601 WEST 26th STREET, SUITE 410, NEW YORK, NY 10001 

(T) +1 646 753 9109 (F) +1 214 594 6993 

LOUISE BLOUIN FOUNDATION

FOUNDER’S NOTE 

Welcome. The Global Creative Leadership Summit, now in its fourth year, is a three-day think tank and discussion forum aimed at addressing 

the challenges and the opportunities that confront us in our era of globalization. The Summit brings together a multidisciplinary cast of world 

leaders who provide insight into such international issues as the financial crisis and climate change while sharing the best practices of their 

respective fields and proposing practical solutions. A key feature of this forum, and what turns innovative ideas into concrete action, is the 

engagement and support of heads of state, leaders of global agencies and CEOs, who are able to utilize the Summit discussions in managing 

the domestic and global concerns of their country, business or agency. 

The Summit is committed to presenting innovative and creative approaches to the world’s pressing problems. Issues such as climate change, 

poverty in Africa and conflict in the Middle East cannot be solved by political or economic means alone, but rather require an awareness of 

cultural values, as well as the participation of science and technology in bridging long-standing divides and bringing about sustainable economic 

and social development. For instance, how can climate change be addressed without creating new political covenants, green technologies and 

competitive industries? How can poverty in Africa be alleviated without a simultaneous emphasis on education, trade and industrial development 

leveraging science and technology? How can conflict in the Middle East can be mediated without taking into account the culture and 

traditions of the Arab and Islamic world and the great value it places on land and religion? 

The Summit’s principal objective is to develop practicable solutions to these and other global issues that combine an understanding of cultural 

and ethical values with scientific and technological innovations, while acknowledging the global implication of local actions and the importance 

of trade and economic development in bringing hope and dignity to communities and helping them realize their aspirations. 

Cultural and Ethical Values 



The Summit is unique in recognizing the role of culture in foreign policy, scientific research and economic development. For instance, in 2006 

the Foundation commissioned the OECD to conduct research into the importance of culture to the well-being of cities and nations. The study 

found that cultural industries accounted for between 3.1 and 5.8 percent of the GDP of Australia, Canada, France, the United Kingdom and 

the United States and between 98,000 (in Montreal) and 525,000 (in London) city jobs. 

As for the importance of culture to scientific research, during the 2007 and 2008 Summits, the Nobel laureate Sir Paul Nurse and Dr. Robert 

Ridley, of the World Health Organization, stated that to address African nations’ local medical needs and ensure the health of the continent, 

it is not sufficient to rely on the distribution of medicines developed in the West for Western populations. Rather, the only viable long-term 

approach is to develop local research capabilities to seek solutions to culturally specific problems. 

With respect to foreign policy, it is evident that America’s lack of respect for Arab and Islamic culture has fueled radicalization and conflict in 

the Middle East. By instigating a war in Iraq and turning a blind eye to the Palestinians’ plight, the United States, the world’s leading nation and 

one that aspires to be a model for others, has lost allies and support within the region. What is required to bring peace to the Middle East and 

repair America’s reputation is a new foreign policy that shows fairness and evenhandedness to all the nations and political groups rather than 

privileging one—that is, a new policy based on cultural understanding and respect. 




Ethical values are also crucial in addressing the challenges of globalization, since they provide a framework for determining what is a correct action. 

In retrospect, it is glaringly obvious that greed at all levels contributed to the global financial crisis. Banks were willing to lend to unqualified 

borrowers so they could repackage the mortgages as securities and sell them, using the proceeds to feed their bottom lines and make new 

investments. Borrowers, meanwhile, were glad to take on the debt, assuming their homes would continue to rise in value, and the regulatory 

agencies saw no harm in the practice as long as everyone was making money. None of the parties involved questioned the soundness of the 

foundations of the enterprise. We are now bitterly aware that those foundations were shaky, and individuals who did scrutinize the system have 

not only avoided losses, but actually benefited from the melt-down. Trust is necessary for the financial system to work and contribute to longterm 

economic well being, and trust requires transparency and accountability in all business, political, cultural and economic transactions. 

Scientific and Technological Innovation 

At the Summit, leading figures in science and technology participate alongside heads of state, policymakers and economists in inventing new 

solutions to global issues. For instance, Nobel laureate Dr. Eric Kandel and Dr. Antonio Damasio, leading researchers in the field of neuroscience, 

have demonstrated not only how understanding the brain can help in developing new educational techniques, but also how our emotions 

affect decision making and thus foreign policy. In the area of technology, Nicholas Negroponte has shown how his One Laptop Per Child 

project, which provides children in impoverished regions lacking sound education systems with basic computers, increases the recipients’ ability 

to learn and grow. 

Building on the Summit’s findings, the Foundation is working with engineers from Google and Wikipedia on the LINK Project, an online search 

engine and data repository for international aid agencies, NGOs and philanthropic organizations. The goal is to facilitate information sharing 

and collaboration on the ground by allowing participants to identify similar development programs and areas of focus. LINK will also increase 

aid agencies’ accountability and strengthen their efforts by enabling Internet users to rank them and comment on their work. 

The Impact of Local Policies on Global Affairs 

A theme running through the Summit is the role of globalization in making individuals and nations more interdependent and interconnected. 

For instance, the food crisis of the summer of 2008 can be attributed in part to crop failure in Australia, lower yields in Canada and distribution 

constraints in Southeast Asia, all of which boosted prices worldwide, leading to riots in India and Africa. Similarly, although the terrorist attacks 

of September 11, 2001 occurred in the United States, they involved individuals from more than 12 countries funded and directed by Al Qaeda. 

Finally, the most recent Doha round of trade talks was derailed by the $320 billion farm bill passed by the U.S. Congress during the spring of 

2008, which included $17 billion in direct subsidies at the very time Indian and Brazilian representatives to Doha were negotiating to lower 

such subsidies to between $12 billion and $15 billion. Although the amount was not significant in terms of the overall bill, it showed that local 

politics were more important than a global covenant beneficial to both the developed and the developing worlds. 

Each of these examples is local in impact or origin, but all have global ramifications. Accordingly, national governments must craft policies that 

go beyond local constituencies to address the global political, economic or social situation. At the same time, individuals operating at the global 

level, in particular heads of international agencies, must provide leadership and guidance for promulgating sound policies that take into account 

worldwide concerns. This need to coordinate between local and global levels applies not only to economics and security, but also to trade, development, 

poverty alleviation and climate change. Since weather-related catastrophes are unpredictable and affect populations across borders, 

since weapons of mass destruction are becoming more accessible and transportable, since prolonged poverty can create unrest in Africa with 

the potential to spread outside the continent, national leaders and leaders of global agencies must make greater efforts to work together. 


Trade and Economic Development 

Trade and economic development have been the most effective instruments of poverty alleviation during the past 20 years, with almost half 

the gains made in China. They can play a similar role in Africa and also aid in defusing protracted regional conflicts such as those in the Middle 

East. This is because economic development not only enables greater consumption, but gives individuals, groups and communities hope and 

tools to better their situation. A major problem in Gaza and the West Bank, beyond the continued fighting, is the Palestinians’ inability to grow 

their own economy through export and trade. This lack of control has resulted in feelings of hopelessness and loss of dignity, with many taking 

up arms as the only solution. 

The Doha Round trade talks were initiated by the United States shortly after September 11, 2001 in the belief that greater openness, sharing 

and trade will increase prosperity in developing and developed nations alike, persuading those in need to realize their potential rather than 

turn to violence and terrorism. Although difficult to realize in a trade agreement, as we have seen over the past several years, this ambition 

still speaks to the central role of trade and economic development in enabling individuals and communities to better themselves and work 

together to reach their goals. It is only through cooperation and mutual support and trust that we can truly turn such challenges as the financial 

crisis, climate change, terrorism and poverty in Africa into opportunities. 

With a multidisciplinary approach emphasizing culture, science, policy and economics, the Global Creative Leadership Summit seeks to identify 

best practices and generate innovative solutions to the challenges of globalization. Our aim is to provide a forum for discussion and reflection 

among leaders of global agencies, industry, science, technology and the arts as well as heads of state to better prepare countries, corporations 

and individuals for our present and future challenges. 

We simply cannot afford to maintain the status quo. Our primary obstacle is the difficulty of replacing or transforming methods we have 

become accustomed to over decades. How can we develop measures to avoid rather than create emergencies, of which the global financial 

crisis is only the latest instance? 

If we do not halt climate change, not only will our ecosystem and economy suffer harm, but the brunt of that harm will be borne by those in 

the developing world. If we do not address African poverty, we risk exacerbating conflict and strife lasting generations. If we do not bring the 

Middle East conflict to a peaceful conclusion, there will be greater radicalization and terror. These are not someone else’s problems; they affect 

all of us—our well-being and our collective security. By working together at the local and global levels, we may steer through our current crises 

and develop sound policies, corporations, institutions and practices to carry us into the future. 

I hope you can join us at the 2009 Global Creative Leadership Summit this September. 

Sincerely, 

Louise Blouin MacBain 

Founder and Chairman 

Louise Blouin Foundation 




TABLE OF CONTENTS 



Louise Blouin Foundation p. 6 

Global Creative Leadership Summit p. 8 

Global Creative Leadership Summit Discussion Topics p. 10 

Global Creative Leadership Summit – 2008 Participants p. 17 

Louise Blouin Foundation – Further Info p. 26 

Louise Blouin Foundation – Initiatives p. 29 

Louise Blouin Foundation – Regional Commitments p. 34 



THE LOUISE BLOUIN FOUNDATION 


The Louise Blouin Foundation is an international not-for-profit organization that was founded in 2005 with the goal 

of supporting heads of state in their efforts to make globalization work for their citizens and helping global agencies 

manage cooperation within the global system. The Foundation acts as a think tank for heads of state, as well as for 

leaders in science, business, culture and politics, in order to share best practices and develop innovative solutions 

for pressing social, economic, environmental and security challenges at the local and global levels. 

The Foundation’s work is multidisciplinary, inclusive and based on innovative partnerships where culture plays 

a privileged role in addressing critical global issues. Through its work, the Foundation aims to find new ways to 

increase opportunities for collaboration on development, to reduce antagonism and to improve the quality and 

dignity of life for people and communities around the world. 

The Foundation’s mission consists of a number of strategic initiatives that are both thematically oriented and regionally 

focused. 

Foundation Thematic Initiatives: 

The Foundation is focused on supporting research and discussion forums on culture and creativity, neuroscience, 

education, Internet technology and foreign policy. The Foundation aims: 

• to emphasize and support the role of cultural understanding and dialogue within diplomatic and political 

processes 

• to identify the impact of creativity on the brain through advances in neuroscience 

• to work with leaders in the information and technology sectors to develop innovative online tools and 

solutions to address global gaps in development 

• to develop strategies and responses to foreign policy issues that are global in scope such as global 

security and terrorism, the reform and retooling of global agencies, the environment and geo-economics. 

The Foundation also administers the Louise Blouin Institute, an exhibition and educational space that houses the 

Foundation’s work in London, U.K. The Institute presents the work of individual artists in temporary exhibitions, 

installations, performances and screenings. Further, the Institute promotes a lively program of lectures, debates and 

workshops related to the Foundation’s areas of interest. 




ABOUT THE LOUISE BLOUIN FOUNDATION 

Foundation Regional Initiatives: 

The Foundation is focused on supporting development and diplomatic efforts in Africa, China, the Middle East and 

Russia: 

• to support economic and social progress 

• to support strategic decision making in international security and global relations 

• to harness science and technology in multisectoral problem solving 

• to protect the environment and natural resources 

The Foundation is fast becoming one of the primary centers in a global network of statesmen and Nobel laureates, 

CEOs and engineers, policy makers and individuals who share its core belief in the importance of culture and in the 

boundless creative potential of the human mind. 

Further information can be found at: www.ltbfoundation.org 




ABOUT THE GLOBAL CREATIVE LEADERSHIP SUMMIT 

Since 2005, the Louise Blouin Foundation, with the support of the United Nations Office for Partnerships, has 

organized the annual Global Creative Leadership Summit to identify and implement solutions based on 

international best practices to the challenges arising from globalization. 

The Summit brings heads of state together with representatives of global agencies and 120 leaders in the areas of 

science, technology, culture, business and politics. Together the delegates address the interconnected threats and 

challenges of the 21st century through multidisciplinary exchanges that place cultural dialogue and understanding 

at the fore. The open, constructive discussion facilitates the creation of cross-cultural networks committed to 

change and transformative action. 

The Summit encourages collaboration across disciplines in an effort to spark creative thinking and to ultimately 

develop innovative approaches to global problems. The Summit focuses on issues as diverse as emerging global 

security threats, climate change, foreign policy and education, with specific attention to development and foreign 

policy concerns in Africa, China, Russia and the Middle East. 

Over the past three years, the Summit has been honored to feature President José Manuel Barroso, of the European 

Commission; Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende, of the Netherlands; President Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, of 

the Republic of Iceland; President Bharrat Jagdeo, of Guyana; President Stjepan Mesic of Croatia; President Bingu wa 

Mutharika, of Malawi; Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, of NATO; and President Manuel Zelaya, of Honduras. 

In addition, the Summit has hosted a variety of distinguished international leaders, such as Nobel laureate Eric 

Kandel; anthropologist Jane Goodall; business leaders Harold Burson, founder of Burson-Marsteller; Henry Silverman, 

CEO of Realogy Corp., Craig Barrett, chairman of Intel and Lex Fenwick, CEO of Bloomberg, along with Riz 

Khan of Al Jazeera; David Boies, chairman of Boies, Schiller & Flexner and UNICEF executive director Ann Veneman. 

A full listing of Summit participants from 2008 can be found at: 

http://www.creativeleadershipsummit.org/speakers/speakers.php 

The Summit has been covered by a wide-range of media, including CNN, Al Jazeera, the Financial Times, The Economist, 

the BBC, and the International Herald Tribune. Although this is an intimate event, with only 120 delegates, 

the Summit proceedings are Web cast live and, its conclusions shape thinking, create new projects and stimulate 

debate across the globe. The Summit proceedings and commitments are also written up in a white paper available 

for download from the Summit Website. 

Further information can be found at: www.creativeleadershipsummit.org 




GLOBAL CREATIVE LEADERSHIP SUMMIT SPONSORSHIP 

OPPORTUNITIES 

The Louise Blouin Media group’s collaboration with the Foundation has established a 12-month program for 

potential sponsors and advertisers. Both the Summit Gala and the panel discussion sessions scheduled for the 2009 

Summit may be sponsored by corporations. 

Corporate sponsors are given the opportunity to engage in workshops and participate in proactive discussions 

with global stakeholders in both the private and public sectors at the Global Creative Leadership Summit. Further 

opportunities for exposure are available through live blogs and Webcasts of panel discussions, as well as through 

publicity on the Global Creative Leadership Summit and Louise Blouin Foundation Web sites. 

Global Creative Leadership Summit Gala and Awards Ceremony 

An annual Gala and Awards Ceremony is held during the Creative Leadership Summit to honor four individuals who 

have displayed creative leadership in their address of pressing global issues. In 2008, the Louise Blouin Foundation 

had the privilege to honor President Bingu wa Mutharika, of Malawi; Craig Barrett, chairman of Intel Corp.; Nobel 

laureate and geneticist Sir Paul Nurse; and acclaimed theater director, Peter Sellars of UCLA. Past Louise Blouin 

Foundation honorees include Former President Bill Clinton, Eli Broad, Jeff Koons, Richard Meier, Renée Fleming, 

Richard Axel, Sir Clive Gillinson, Dr. Eric Kandel, and Jimmy Wales, among others. 

The Gala enables 320 guests to develop a relationship with the Louise Blouin Foundation and honor the awardees. 

The Gala also provides a high-profile opportunity for sponsors to represent their brands and to contribute to the 

aims of the Louise Blouin Foundation and the Global Creative Leadership Summit. 

The White Paper 

The white paper is the document of record for global commitments made during the annual Global Creative 

Leadership Summit. All the initiatives undertaken by the Foundation are linked to the Summit and are recorded in 

the document. The 2008 Global Creative Leadership Summit white paper will present the proposals that came out 

of the Summit in a comprehensive yet accessible manner. The document is a manual for action, capturing the key 

issues raised in the 19 panels held over three days. The 2008 white paper will be available in early 2009. 

Global Creative Leadership Summit Website 

As part of the sponsorship package offered to corporations, sponsor logos and banner ads may be placed on the 

Global Creative Leadership Summit Web site. The placement of a corporate logo on the Web site not only provides 

the corporation with exposure to a sophisticated audience, it also associates the company with the high-profile 




GLOBAL CREATIVE LEADERSHIP SUMMIT DISCUSSION TOPICS 

Corporations can sponsor specific panel topics at the Global Creative Leadership Summit, according to their interest 

and orientation. Corporations also have the opportunity to place their CEO, chairman or a senior executive on a 

panel to address, alongside other participants, the panel topic. Because of the high-level of the Summit’s concerns 

participation is limited to the most senior officers of a company. 

The general topics and panel sessions to be included in the 2009 Global Creative Leadership Summit are as 

follows. 

Global Threats and Opportunities 

Following up on the topics of 2008, the 2009 Global Creative Leadership Summit will open with an extended panel 

on the threats and opportunities facing the globe over the next 20 years. This session has a broad scope addressing 

not only economic questions, but also Energy, Health, Security, Commodities and Demographics. The 

Summit seeks to identify emerging threats and opportunities to best confront present and future challenges. 

Geo-Economics 

Global Finance 

Economic Development and Entrepreneurship 

The Future of the Corporation 

Geo-economics and global economic trends play an important role in the Global Creative Leadership Summit. The 

Summit attempts to identify the key future challenges and opportunities for Global Finance, Commodities 

and Economic Development and Entrepreneurship. The geo-economic sessions attempt to address not 

only the global financial crisis, but also how emerging economies can develop to become further integrated within 

the world system. The Summit also asks what The Future of the Corporation will look like and how corporations 

need to function in order to thrive within the context of global flows of goods, capital, and people. 

Trade 

Trade, from the Doha Development Round of the World Trade Organization to the creation of 

regional and bilateral trade agreements, is a core focus of the Summit. While trade appears to be a development 

‘solution’ in Africa and the Middle East, and in Palestine in particular, the creation of a new global trade agreement 

in the form of an updated Doha text or other more advanced agreement is seen as essential to meet the economic 

and commodity/resource needs of the global economy. 





Innovation 

Internet and New Technology 

Despite being seen as commonplace today, information technology continues to transform businesses, governments, 

social relationships, commerce and the way we understand ourselves and our neighbors. The Summit investigates 

the innovative potential of IT and its impact at the local and global levels. 

Global Health 

Genomics 

Biological Components of Behavior 

Research Capacity and Development 

As part of ongoing research efforts and involvement with the sciences, the Global Health session aims to address 

research in genomics and how new developments in synthetic and computational biology can help cure 

cancer, Alzheimer’s and serious epidemics. The subject of Biological Components of Behavior plays a key 

role within the context of Global Health, as well as in many other Summit panels, since neuroscience has much 

to tell us regarding emotion, behavior and decision-making processes that is applicable to other disciplines. Research 

Capacity and Development and the ability of the scientific and medical communities to adapt and 

develop research programs that are tailored to the needs of local communities are part of the critical discussions 

in the Global Health session. 

Education, Creativity and the Mind 

The Summit brings together leaders in neuroscience, the arts, sports and education to identify the best practices 

to promote mental, physical and social development so individuals can creatively address the challenges of the 21st 

century. This panel is intimately related to the Foundation’s interest in understanding how neurological processes, 

at every stage of life relate to individuals’ ability to learn, create and understand one other. This Summit session 

lasts some four hours and brings together a multidisciplinary spectrum of thinkers on human development to address 

the issue. 





Global Security 

Emerging Threats 

Human Security 

As evidenced by the terror attacks of September 11, 2001, devastation on a mass scale can be carried out with 

relatively small means and be coordinated from the other side of the globe. Furthermore, the Internet and global 

telecommunications, as well as advances in the biological and computer sciences, make it more possible than ever 

for security threats to emerge from unconventional locations. The Summit asks how to defend against Emerging 

Threats while preserving the liberties critical to a democratic global community. 

The Summit also addresses issues of Human Security and Human Rights. Under these topics, the Summit 

looks at how best to stop drug and human trafficking, provide peace, security and justice to those afflicted by war 

and build institutional infrastructure to empower local and national governments. 

Environment 

Climate Change vs. Economic Growth 

The debate on climate change and the protection of the environment plays a central role in the Summit since it 

concerns not only how nations can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but how a transition to cleaner energy sources 

can be made economically viable. This debate, like those concerning many other topics at the Summit, focuses 

on the consequences of inaction in a situation where the challenge is understood and practical solutions 

have been proposed. This session brings together scientists and policy makers as well as entrepreneurs engaged in 

funding, testing and deploying new technologies and new industries. 





Foreign Policy 

New Global Order 

Global Agencies 

Philanthro-Capitalism 

Foreign policy and geopolitical concerns at both the local and global levels are important focuses of the Summit. 

The Summit acknowledges the dramatic change in the balance of global power due to the incremental rise Brazil, 

Russia, India and China, as well as the increasing challenges to American power resulting in part from its unilateral 

engagements after September 11, 2001. Therefore a key task of the Summit is to map out changes in global relations 

and to develop an understanding of the emerging new global order. 

Central to the discussion of globalization are foreign policy and global relations, as the Foundation believes there 

are no ‘far-off’ crises in a world of interconnected threats and challenges. Among other questions, this discussion 

asks what the consequences are of not taking the ‘right’ action to solve many of the world’s problems, such as the 

Israel/Palestine conflict or prolonged and persistent poverty in Africa. Unlike other forums, the Summit draws attention 

to the role of neuroscience and the understanding of emotions in the decision-making process, an emerging 

area of research vital to the development of new techniques for conflict resolution and the avoidance of war. 

Within this general investigation, the Summit seeks to identify how global agencies can reinvent themselves 

to better manage a world that is becoming increasingly interdependent, yet constantly fraught with conflict and 

inequality. Further, the Summit asks what role innovative and private-sector approaches to the philanthropic 

enterprise can play in addressing global challenges. 

Cultural Diplomacy 

Cities, Culture and Globalization 

Culture Beyond Borders 

The Foundation places special emphasis on culture as a vehicle for greater understanding, interaction and exchange 

with the ‘other’. There is increasing evidence that cultural institutions and the culture industries – art galleries, 

museums, architecture – play an important role in promoting the well-being of cities, as well as in the relations 

and interactions among communities, ethnic groups and nations. The notion of Culture Beyond Borders is a 

defining concept for the Summit since culture is seen not simply confined to aesthetics, but is deeply connected 

to history, identity and politics. 





Regional Spotlight 

Africa 

The theme of African development, trade and economics are central both to the Summit and to the efforts of the 

Louise Blouin Institute. The Africa roundtable is an extended session lasting approximately four hours and in the 

past has featured in-depth discussion of African development needs between heads of state, leading CEOs and 

figures from the NGO world, educators and economists involved in development work. The session is used to 

identify potential solutions for Africa, based on best practices put forward by delegates. 

Beyond this Summit session devoted to Africa, the Louise Blouin Foundation has launched an investment-and-technology 

initiative for Africa, to generate greater direct foreign investment, as well as to help maximize the efforts of 

NGOs and global agencies on the ground. [See Regional Initiatives section for more information.] 


Russia 

Russia is a key emerging economy of global importance not only because of its vast resource wealth but because 

of its position on the world stage, where it exerts significant influence in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Russia 

therefore must be viewed as a vital and strategic partner in addressing global issues, whether they are related to 

energy security, the nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction or the raising of living standards throughout 

the region. The Summit’s focus on Russia addresses the nation’s vital role in the international community. 

As part of its regional focus on Russia, and to encourage openness and cultural exchange, the Louise Blouin Foundation 

will host an exhibition in collaboration with Pace Wildenstein Gallery of works by the artist Louise Nevelson, 

and another exhibition of new Russian contemporary art, in the fall of 2009 in London. [See Regional Initiatives 

section for more information] 






China 

China has witnessed a profound opening up over the past 30 years as a result of the American diplomatic effort of 

détente. During this period, China has developed into an economic super power, exerting influence on Asia, Africa 

and around the globe. The Summit provides a forum to discuss this new era of Chinese openness, economic 

development and cultural exchange. It will also examine the country’s influence on commodity markets 

as well as its relationship with Africa. 

To encourage cultural exchange between China and the West, and foster greater understanding, respect and 

mutual support, the Louise Blouin Foundation launched the China Cultures Fund, to support Tibetan and Chinese 

culture at the international level. [See Regional Initiatives section for more information.] 


Middle East 

The Middle East has been marked by tension resulting from September 11, 2001, the Iraq War, the conflict between 

Israel and Palestine and the emergence of Iran as a regional power. However, many recent developments, 

such as the emergence of the Emirates as major global centers of architecture, culture tourism and finance, as 

well as Saudi Arabia’s heavy investment in similar areas, have created a new dynamic within the region. The Summit 

addresses the twin issues of economic development and cultural dialogue in the Middle East, identifying 

ways to lower tension and to build a sustainable peace. [See the Regional Initiatives section for further information.] 


India 

India is on track to be the information technology superpower of the 21st century. Considering the country’s 

successes in developing its hi-tech sector and its groundbreaking systems of microfinance, microcredit and microhealth, 

the Summit asks what India can teach us that can be replicated elsewhere. The country’s rapid development, 

though, poses challenges to India’s government such as how to ensure equitable development that achieves economic 

growth and fosters entrepreneurship without leaving millions behind. 





Global Creative Leadership Summit Gala and Awards Ceremony 

As part of the Global Creative Leadership Summit annual Gala and Awards Ceremony is held in order to honor 

four individuals who have displayed ‘creative leadership’ in their address of pressing global issues. In 2008 the Louise 

Blouin Foundation had the privilege to honor: President Bingu wa Mutharika of Malawi, Chairman of Intel Corp. 

Craig R. Barrett, Nobel Laureate and geneticist Sir Paul Nurse and acclaimed theatre director, UCLA 

Professor Peter Sellars. Past Louise Blouin Foundation award recipients include: Former President Bill Clinton, 

Eli Broad, Jeff Koons, Richard Meier, Renée Fleming, Richard Axel, Sir Clive Gillinson, Eric Kandel, and Jimmy Wales, 

among others. 

Prime Minister Ivo Sanader of Croatia Shaukat Aziz, Former Prime Minister of Pakistan 




GLOBAL CREATIVE LEADERSHIP SUMMIT - 2008 PARTICIPANTS 

Heads of State 

Shaukat Aziz Former Prime Minister of Pakistan 

Prime Minister Jan Peter 

Balkenende 

Prime Minister of the Kingdom of the Netherlands 

President Olafur Ragnar 

Grimsson 

President of the Republic of Iceland 

President Bharrat Jagdeo President of the Republic of Guyana 

President Bingu wa 

Mutharika 

President of the Republic of Malawi 

President José Ramos-Horta President, Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste 

Prime Minister Ivo Sanader Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia 

President Manual Zelaya 

Rosales 

President of the Republic of Honduras 

President Olafur Ragnar Grimsson of Iceland President Bingu wa Mutharika of Malawi 





Diplomatic and Non-Governmental Leaders 

Dr. Parvez Ahmed Former Chair, Council on American-Islamic Relations 

Dr. Seth Berkley President, International AIDS Vaccine Initiative 

Graciana del Castillo Associate Director, Center on Capitalism and Society 

Antonio Maria Costa Executive Director, UNODC 

Dr. Jacques Diouf Director-General, UNFAO 

Jane Goodall Founder, Jane Goodall Institute 

Dr. Allan Goodman President, Institute of International Education 

Dr. William Haseltine Chairman, Haseltine Global Health 

Stephen Heintz President, Rockefeller Brothers Fund 

Fred Mednick Founder, Teachers Without Borders 

Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenede of the Kingdom 

of the Netherlands 

President Bharrat Jagdeo of Guyana 





Diplomatic and Non-Governmental Leaders 

Luis Moreno-Ocampo Prosecutor, International Criminal Court 

Nicholas Negroponte Founder and Chairman of One Laptop per Child 

Kenneth Roth Executive Director, Human Rights Watch 

Warren Sach Assistant Secretary-General, Controller, UN 

Guy Sebban Secretary General, International Chamber of Commerce 

Dr. Ismail Serageldin Director, Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Egypt 

K.A. Taipale Senior Fellow, World Policy Institute 

Ann Veneman Executive Director, UNICEF 

Jimmy Wales Founder, Wikipedia 

Jennifer Windsor Executive Director, Freedom House 

Dr. Kandeh Yumkella Director-General, UNIDO 

Lord Mark Malloch Brown and Luis Moreno-Ocampo, 

Prosecutor, International Criminal Court 

Dr. Kandeh Yumkella, Director-General, 

UNIDO 





Innovators from the Academic World 

Thomas Malone Professor of Management, MIT Sloan School of Management 

Robert Beauregard Professor of Urban Planning, Columbia University 

Lord Paul Bew Chair of Irish Politics, Queen’s University, Belfast 

Homi K. Bhabha Director, Humanities Center, Harvard University 

Colin Blakemore Professor of Neuroscience, Oxford University 

Richard Bulliet Professor of History, Columbia University 

Andrea Califano Professor of Biomedical Informatics, Columbia University 

John Henry Clippinger Senior Fellow, Berkman Center, Harvard University 

António Damásio Professor of Neuroscience, USC 

Padma Desai Professor of Comparative Economic Systems, Columbia University 

Vishakha Desai President and CEO, Asia Society 

Peter Fonagy Professor of Psychoanalysis, University College London 

Majid Fotuhi Director, Center for Memory and Brain Health 

Howard Gardner Professor of Cognition and Education, Harvard Graduate School 

Dr. Eric Kandel Professor of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Columbia University 

Nancy Kanwisher Professor of Cognitive Nueroscience, MIT 

Pradeep Khosla Professor and Dean of Engineering, Carnegie Mellon 

Vladimir Kvint President, International Academy of Emerging Markets 

Itamara V. Lochard Senior Researcher, the Fletcher School 

Leonard Mlodinow Professor of Physics, Caltech 

Sir Paul Nurse President, Rockefeller University 

Stephen Pacala Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University 

Arvind Panagariya Professor of Economics, Columbia University 





Innovators from the Academic World 

Edmund Phelps Professor of Political Economy, Columbia University 

Michael Prather Professor of Earth System Science, University of California, Irvine 

Lisa Randall Professor of Physics, Harvard University 

Falguni Sen Professor of Management Systems, Fordham University 

Richard Silberstein Professor of Neuroscience, Swinburne University 

John Stein Professor of Physiology, Oxford University 

Evgeny Velikhov President, Kurchatov Institute 

Linton Wells II Force Transformation Chair, National Defense University 

Torsten Wiesel Professor of Neurobiology, Rockefeller University 

Larry Young Professor of Neuroscience, Emory University 

Jonathan Zittrain Professor of Internet Law, Harvard Law School 

John Henry Clippinger, Senior Fellow, 

Harvard University 


Sir Paul Nurse, President of The Rockefeller University




Participating Members from the International Business Community 

Lex Fenwick CEO, Bloomberg Ventures 

Craig R. Barrett Chairman, Intel Corporation 

Stanley Bergman Chairman and CEO, Henry Schein 

David Boies Chairman, Boies, Schiller & Flexner 

Harold Burson Founding Chairman, Burson-Marsteller 

Stewart Butterfield Cofounder, Flickr 

Kaj den Daas Chairman, Philips Lighting NA 

Edward Dolman CEO, Christie’s International 

David Fenton Founder and CEO, Fenton Communications 

Morel Fourman CEO, Gaisoft 

Jeffrey Friedberg Chief Trust Architect, Microsoft 

Alan Hassenfeld Chairman, Hasbro 

Lord Michael Hastings Global Head of Citizenship and Diversity, KPMG 

Robert Hormats Vice Chairman, Goldman Sachs 

Dr. Mohan Kaul Director General, Commonwealth Business Council 

Leonid Makaron President, Pronto-Moscow 

Dr. Amit Mitra Secretary General, FICCI 

Dambisa Moyo Head of Economic Research and Strategy for Africa, Goldman Sachs 

Craig Newmark Founder, Craigslist 

Richard O’Neill Sr. President, Highlands Group 

Alayne Reesberg Owner, Reesberg Partners LLC 

John Rendon Jr. CEO and President, the Rendon Group 

Richard Robb CEO, Christofferson, Robb & Company 





Participating Members from the International Business Community 

Marko Saravanja Founder and CEO, Regenesys Business School, South Africa 

Henry Silverman Chairman and CEO, Reology Corporation 

John Studzinksi Senior Managing Director, the Blackstone Group 

Martin Varsavsky Founder and CEO, FON 

Jody Westby CEO, Global Cyber Risk 

Lord Mark Malloch-Brown UK Minister for Africa, Asia and the UN 

B.J. Panda Member of the Parliament, India 

Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi Minister for Economy and Planning, United Arab Emirates 

N.K. Singh Member of Parliament, India 

Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, Minister of Foreign Trade, 

United Arab Emirates 


Craig R. Barrett, Chairman, Intel Corporation




Pioneers in Global Media 

David Andelman Editor, World Policy Journal 

Matthew Bishop Chief Business Writer, The Economist 

Juan Luis Cebrian Editor in Chief, El Pais 

Raghida Dergham Senior Diplomatic Correspondent, Al-Hayat 

Lane Greene International Correspondent, The Economist 

Riz Khan TV host, Al Jazeera English 

Jared Kushner Publisher, the New York Observer 

Femi Oke Contributor and Interviewer, WNYC’s The Takeaway 

Michael Oreskes Managing Editor for U.S. News, Associated Press 

Ned Parker Baghdad Correspondent, the Los Angeles Times 

Bill Roedy Chairman and CEO, MTV Networks International 

Vijay Vaitheeswaran Correspondent, The Economist 

Ali Velshi Chief Business Correspondent, CNN 

Lally Weymouth Senior Editor, Newsweek 

Dr. Gino Yu Cofounder, PolyU MERECL 

Lex Fenwick, CEO Bloomberg Ventures Matthew Bishop, Cheif Business Writer, The Economist 





Key Figures in the Arts 

Jacques d’Amboise Founder, National Dance Institute 

Richard Meier President, Richard Meier & Partners 

Gérard Mortier Director General, Opéra National de Paris 

Susan Robb Artist 

Axel Ruger Director, Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam 

Sir Salman Rushdie Author 

Peter Sellars Theatre Director and Professor of Arts and Culture, UCLA 

Paul Warwick Thompson Director, Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum 

Juan Ignacio Vidarte Director General, Guggenheim 

Dedicated Public Officials 

Akwasi Osei-Agyei Minister of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Ghana 

H.E. Mr. Nizar Baraka Deputy Minister for Economics & General Affairs, Morocco 

Dr. Ashwani Kumar Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, India 

Rajeev Chandrasekhar Member of Parliament, President of FICCI, India 

Michael Green Co-Author, Philanthrocapitalism 

Bert Koenders Minister of Development Cooperation, Netherlands 

Mitchell Landrieu Lieutenant Governor, Louisiana 




LOUISE BLOUIN FOUNDATION - FURTHER INFORMATION 

Alongside the Global Creative Leadership Summit, the Louise Blouin Foundation has a number of ongoing 

initiatives that take place throughout the year, reflecting the Foundation’s orientation towards culture, 

development, technology and foreign policy. 

Louise Blouin Foundation Website 

The Louise Blouin Foundation, like the Global Creative Leadership Summit, is updating its Web site to contain a 

blogging facility, opinion pieces, and academic and policy research focused on the Foundation’s goals. This content 

will be generated by Foundation staff as well as by Summit delegates and affiliates of the Foundation. 

ArtInfo.com 

Affiliated with the Louise Blouin Foundation, Louise Blouin Media administers the international art-news Web site 

ArtInfo.com. Beyond news of the latest developments in the art world, ArtInfo.com features minisites of more than 

5,000 museums and galleries and is an authoritative source of art auction and art-pricing data. Sponsorship of the 

Louise Blouin Foundation and its initiatives, such as the Global Creative Leadership Summit, can be featured on 

ArtInfo.com, providing global visibility to a sophisticated audience. 

www.ltbfoundation.org www.artinfo.com 





Art Exhibitions - Louise Blouin Institute 

The Foundation believes that art and culture are tools of global diplomacy. To that end, the Foundation and the 

Louise Blouin Institute host contemporary-art exhibitions of leading artists that provide commentary and insight 

into the issues and challenges presented by globalization. For instance, the current exhibition at the Institute, “Cold 

War Aesthetics”, is of works by renowned contemporary Chinese artist Wang Guangyi. The works on display are 

both metaphors for the past that we have avoided and warnings to world super powers about the potential emergence 

of cold war mentality. In the short and medium term, the Foundation is looking to feature emerging African, 

Chinese, Russian and Middle Eastern artists. The Foundation will also promote ArtInfo.com as a site which can host 

artists and art galleries from these regions and countries. 

Current and Upcoming Exhibitions at the Louise Blouin Institute: 

LOUISE NEVELSON 

DAWNS AND DUSKS 

In collaboration with Pace Wildenstein Gallery NYC 

13 March – 15 May 2009 

WANG GUANGYI 

COLD WAR AESTHETICS 

17 October – 1 March 2009 

DESIGN IS ART 

30 June - 30 August 2009 

NEW RUSSIAN ART 

16 October - 20 December 2009 

Past Exhibitions at the Louise Blouin Institute: 

RICHARD MEIER 

ART & ARCHITECTURE 

12 October – 22 June 2008 

GARY HILL AND GERRY JUDAH 

20 June – 26 August 2007 

JAMES TURRELL 

A LIFE IN LIGHT 

12 October 2006 – 22 June 2007 

Louise Blouin Institute 





Education Programming - Louise Blouin Institute 

As part of the art exhibitions at the Louise Blouin Institute, the Foundation organizes educational programming 

and lecture series. This educational programming seeks to contextualize the exhibition as well as support the 

Foundation’s ongoing research into neuroscience, cultural dialogue and diplomacy. The educational programming 

accompanying the Wang Guangyi exhibit consists of a series of lectures on Chinese culture, politics and economy, 

as well as panel discussions on Chinese art with experts in Chinese contemporary art and culture. 

Louise Blouin, China 2005 




LOUISE BLOUIN FOUNDATION INITIATIVES 

Investment/Development Proposal for Africa 

In Africa, weak legal institutions increase the uncertainty surrounding investment and contractual obligations. In this 

environment of high risk, the vast potential for direct foreign investment is unrealized. The Foundation is working 

with the International Chamber of Commerce to address this by encouraging stronger legal guarantees for investment. 

Further, the Foundation is keen to use its networks to negotiate agreements that attract investors into the 

areas of agroprocessing, infrastructure and energy, as well as to broker relationships with interested companies 

and sponsor a series of investor and entrepreneur roundtables to generate innovative ideas and strategies. The 

Foundation’s strategy will promote public-private partnerships, as well as encourage corporations to invest a percentage 

of profits – at least 5 percent - back into the country in a sustainable manner. 

Art + Hope 

The Foundation is working closely with the UN Office for Drugs and Crime to support the work of the Victims 

Trust Fund of the International Criminal Court in its efforts to empower victims of grave human-rights violations. 

The Foundation is supporting a project in which renowned artist Ross Bleckner will engage in a painting workshop 

with children abducted in the war in northern Uganda to help them come to terms with their experiences. Proceeds 

from the sale of works by the participants will be used to support affected communities. 

As an extension of the Art + Hope project, the Foundation will support the production of a BBC documentary on 

the use of art therapy to rehabilitate children affected by war in northern Uganda. It features Bleckner and the head 

of the UN Office for Drugs and Crime, Antonio Maria Costa, who demonstrate alternative ways to bring hope to 

communities affected by widespread human-rights violations. 

Ross Bleckner, Art+Hope, Gulu Uganda 

January 2009 


African Child in Therapy, Art+Hope, Gulu Uganda 

January 2009




LINK Project 

The LINK project is a collaboration between the Foundation and engineers at Google and Wikipedia to create a 

search engine and database for the world’s global development agencies, development enterprises and NGOs that 

will maximize information sharing and minimize overlap of aid and development efforts. In Africa and throughout 

the developing world, this project will be particularly beneficial in providing information to donors and supporters 

of development organizations, as well as creating greater efficiencies and synergy among the organizations themselves. 

The key features of this project are: 

1. A New Web search technology will create a database initially containing 2 million aid-agency and 

philanthropic-organization profiles; 

2. Web software will attempt to link these profiles with all publically held information on each organization; 

3. Each organization will be able to take charge of its own profile, customizing and updating it as it sees fit; 

4. Organizations will be able to develop LINKS with one another based on common initiatives listed on 

their profiles, for instance a common LINK could apply to areas of philanthropic interest (agriculture) 

or the region where an initiative is underway (Malawi); 

5. These LINKS are intended grow as organizations connect to one another, developing new working 

partnerships and networks. 





OECD report on the International Measurement of the Economic and 

Social Importance of Culture 

In 2007 the Louise Blouin Foundation commissioned a report by the OECD to determine the correlations between 

the proportion of GDP spent on culture and economic prosperity and quality of life within the OECD 

countries Australia, Canada, France, the United Kingdom and the United States. The motivation was to understand 

and measure the economic impact and social importance of culture within regional and national economies. 

The most significant finding is that culture can contribute between 3 and 5 percent to GDP/GVA. 

OECD Estimates of Culture Industries’ Contribution to National GDP/GVA 

Country Reference Year Currency Value (in millions) Percent of Total Economy 

Australia 1998-99 Australian dollars 17,053 3.1% 

Canada 2002 Canadian dollars 37,465 3.5% 

France 2003 Euros 39,899 2.8% 

UK 2003 Pounds sterling 42,180 5.8% 

USA 2002 US dollars 341,139 3.3% 

The Foundation is committed to working with the OECD on future social analyses of the importance of culture in 

other issues related to development. 

Discussions on Education, Creativity and the Mind 





Culture, Creativity and Neuroscience 

Much of the Foundation’s work is based in the belief that understanding neuroscience is the key to illuminating 

the crucial processes of creativity, innovation and human achievement. Neuroscience can also provide insights into 

solving conflicts in society, supporting a move away from increasingly lethal defensive measures and toward an understanding 

of the motivation and social conditioning that yield terrorist or extremist mind sets. For that reason, 

the Foundation continues to support neuroscience research that sheds lights on broad issues of concern, including 

how children can be socialized to reduce hostility and foster empathy and coexistence. These are the values that will 

drive collaboration in the 21st century. 

In 2008, the Louise Blouin Foundation sponsored research into the effect of music on the brain and its relationship 

to creativity. The research was undertaken by Dr. Antonio Damasio, the David Dornsife professor of neuroscience 

and director of the Brain and Creativity Institute at the University of Southern California. This research set out to 

gain better insight into how music contributes to the creative process and how new knowledge about brain processes 

can be applied to education and creative thinking. The ultimate goal of the project is to develop new tools to 

enhance education and learning. 

China Cultures Fund 

The mission of the fund is to complement the already existing cultural preservation efforts in the Tibetan Autonomous 

Region (TAR) by the Chinese Government. This Fund, administered by the Louise Blouin Foundation, seeks to 

obtain resources from countries, foundations, artists, corporations and private donors to further support domestic 

cultural preservation efforts; to organize a series of international exhibitions on Tibetan and Chinese culture; and 

to create a series of online promotional tools for Tibetan and Chinese culture. The scope of this Fund includes the 

preservation and promotion of ancient and sacred Tibetan culture by addressing areas such as art, dance, drama, history, 

education and environment. It also works as a vehicle to promote Chinese culture and to encourage dialogue 

and cultural understanding between China and the West. 





Culture Beyond Borders 

With the recognition that culture plays a vital role in global politics, diplomacy, tourism and economics, the 

Louise Blouin Foundation has launched a series of initiatives under the title ‘Culture Beyond Borders’ which have 

included: 

• The Soldier’s Tale, an ambitious theater work representing a cultural collaboration between Iraqi and 

European performers. The production was coproduced by the Old Vic Theatre and the Motion 

Group. Rehearsals took place in Iraq, and the performance was premiered in London. 

• “Bring Back New Orleans”, for which the Louise Blouin Foundation produced research and 

organized an advocacy campaign to draw attention to the importance of culture to the social and 

economic well-being of New Orleans after Katrina. This effort helped New Orleans secure a 

federal earmark of $350 million to fund reconstruction efforts. 

• “Four Generations”, a cultural collaboration among leading Israeli and Palestinian filmmakers, writers 

and historians. Conceived to be a multipart TV series, the project chronicles the stories of two 

families, one Israeli, and one Palestinian. Through cultural dialogue, the film weaves together these 

two narratives. It is being produced in partnership with the Film School of Tel Aviv University and the 

Royal Jordanian Film Commission. 

Culture Beyond Borders - “A Soldiers Tale” 




LOUISE BLOUIN FOUNDATION REGIONAL COMMITMENTS 

Africa 

In Africa, the Foundation is committed to a three-pronged strategy to increase trade and investment and to support 

innovative private-sector models for achieving social good. In trade, the Foundation advocates a revival of the 

Doha round of talks, since the conclusion of the negotiation promises to lift 140 million people out of poverty. The 

Foundation is also committed to developing infrastructure necessary to enable African economies to take advantage 

of free trade through working with like-minded countries and companies. Further, the Foundation is keen to 

support African trading blocs and supports the new 26-member trading block recently created in Africa. 

In investment, the Foundation is working closely with the International Chamber of Commerce to develop new 

legal and policy models to reduce the risks of investing in Africa. At the same time, the Foundation will provide African 

heads of state with technical assistance in natural resource management, while leveraging its networks in the 

private sectors of China and the Global North to promote equitable investment and value creation in Africa. 

Finally, the Foundation believes that Africa must be supported in its efforts to create health and educational infrastructure 

as well as governmental and legal institutions, to not only create the conditions for viable economic 

growth, but also to bring greater stability to all levels of society. Given that decades of aid alone have failed to deliver 

the infrastructure development and growth necessary for these economies to truly take off, the Foundation 

will encourage, as well as originate, private-public partnerships that can deliver social results in an environmentally 

and economically sustainable manner. 





China 

The Foundation is committed to three strategies to create greater openness, respect and mutual support between 

China and the West. The first relates to China and its relationship to Tibet. To this end, the Foundation has created 

the China Cultures Fund, which showcases Tibetan culture abroad, identifies areas within the Tibetan Autonomous 

Region in need of cultural support and promotes Chinese culture to international audiences. The Foundation developed 

the Fund to encourage the international community to complement the Chinese government’s $70 million 

five-year commitment to its own cultural-preservation projects inside the Tibetan Autonomous Region. The mandate 

of this initiative is to preserve and promote ancient and sacred Tibetan practices in areas such as art, dance, 

drama, history, education and environment. The initiative also promotes Chinese culture and encourages dialogue 

and cultural understanding between China and the West. 

The second area of the Foundation’s work in China relates to the nation’s role in international affairs, in particular 

with regard to trade and African development. Given the nation’s breadth of actual and potential influence in 

African economies, the Foundation is in discussions with China to develop a framework for investment in African 

infrastructure development. The Foundation is also keen to find ways for African enterprises to use Chinese manufacturing 

networks. China will be key to the Foundation’s initiatives related to sustainable resource use, diversification 

of African exports and attracting further investment into Africa. 

Thirdly, the Foundation is working with China in its role as global power. The Foundation advocates for stronger 

China-EU and China-U.S. relations, since these are essential for a multilateral cooperative system. Further, given 

that China has succeeded in raising more than 400 million people out of poverty over the last 20 years, the Foundation 

will draw attention to these achievements and promote cooperation between China and other emerging 

economies. 





Russia 

In Russia, the Foundation supports initiatives in both foreign policy and cultural diplomacy. In foreign policy the 

Foundation recognizes that Russia is a critical partner in successfully negotiating any issue of global governance, 

ranging from climate change to international justice. In this regard, the Foundation seeks to cultivate relationships 

with the Russian government, advocate for a shift away from cold war rhetoric in the West toward inclusive dialogue 

and support the ongoing talks regarding Russian inclusion in the WTO. The Foundation will encourage the 

West, and NATO allies in particular, to collaborate with Russia to create strategic security for Eastern Europe, 

rather than forcing Russia into a defensive position. In each of these areas, the Foundation will consider the potential 

role of cultural exchanges to increase international understanding and cooperation. 

As part of its flagship work in cultural diplomacy, the Foundation will launch two cultural and digital projects to promote 

and support the region. In 2009, the Louise Blouin Institute, in partnership with Pace Wildenstein Gallery, will 

exhibit the works by artist Louise Nevelson in an effort to increase awareness of Russian art and culture. Through 

showcasing her most celebrated work, launching a retrospective volume on her works and organizing a series of 

other public events, the Foundation hopes to generate dialogue and discussion about contemporary life in Russia. 

The second project, New Roman Art, a collaboration between the Foundation and the Artchronika Foundation in 

Moscow, will be timed to coincide with the opening of the Frieze Art Fair. The Louise Blouin Institute and Louise 

Blouin Media will showcase some of the most innovative young artists working in Russia today on the international 

stage. 

Finally, the LINK Project will devote a special section to Russian development, listing organizations actively engaged 

in the region. 





The Middle East 

In the Middle East, the Foundation recognizes that success depends on three interrelated factors: economic progress 

for the Palestinians, holistic dialogue and integration of the region, and cultural understanding between the 

West and the Arab and Muslim worlds. 

Based on the belief that trade and development are essential to long-term Palestinian statehood, the Foundation is 

keen to support innovative economic and educational approaches that leverage technology to advance economic 

and educational advancement for Palestinians. These will have a regional orientation in which the Foundation will 

work with partners to support pan-Arab development. It will also focus on supporting innovative efforts aimed 

at providing Palestinian entrepreneurs with microcredit and mentorship. Additionally, the Foundation will support 

initiatives that address equitable sharing of water resources, as a prerequisite for sustainable peace. 

Politically, the Foundation considers a partnership between the West, Israel and the Palestinians, as well as the 

greater engagement with Iran, essential for a resolution to the regional political impasse. The Foundation will support 

efforts aimed at convening stakeholders to think creatively about ways to transform the lives of those affected 

by the decades of conflict in a manner that respects Israeli security while at the same time creating the possibility 

of Palestinian statehood. The Foundation will also establish and avail a Middle East Fund to assist heads of state 

working within this approach. 

Further, the Foundation is concerned about the manner in which the war on terror has portrayed Arabs, Muslims, 

and the Middle East in general. The Foundation will work closely with partners in order to increase cultural 

understanding between the Middle East and the West, in particular through supporting educational and cultural 

exchange programs, exhibitions and seminars. The Foundation will also continue to advocate for media coverage 

that increases awareness of, and accurately portrays Arab and Muslim cultures. 





Middle East Initiatives 

In the Middle East, the Foundation recognizes that the success of political efforts must be based on the interrelated 

processes of political progress for the Palestinians, holistic integration of the region, and cultural understanding. 

Economic Development 

Based on the belief that trade and development are indispensable long-term Palestinian statehood, the Foundation 

is keen to support innovative economic and educational approaches that leverage technology to advance economic 

advancement for Palestinians. Taking advantage of the economic boom in the parts of the Middle East, the Foundation 

will work with regional partners towards a Mediterranean trade agreement that supports pan-regional development, 

as well as a national level where it will support innovative efforts aimed at supporting Palestinian entrepreneurs 

with microcredit and mentorship. 

Education 

With new institutions of higher learning opening up in the greater Middle East, the region is rapidly becoming a 

center for learning. The Foundation will work with regional partners and with the institutions for higher learning 

as well as with technical institutes in order to provide a new generation of Middle Eastern youth with education 

and skills. 

Middle East Fund 

The Foundation has established a Middle East Fund that will be a supporting resource for peace and development 

efforts in the region. The foundation will take a regional approach that includes Israel, the Palestinians, as well as 

Iran. The fund will draw on the Arab States in the Middle East without a history of conflict with Israel, and use it as 

an opportunity to bring them into the fold alongside other partners seeking solutions 

Art Exhibitions 

The foundation believes that art and culture are tools of global diplomacy. To that end, it hosts 

exhibitions that promote the best contemporary and emerging art and artists through shows that 

also act as a forum for dialogue about art and its broader cultural implications. In the coming months and years, the 

Foundation will be looking to host emerging art from the Middle Eastern art, film and lectures at the Institute. The 

foundation will also promote Art+Info as a site on which artists and art galleries from the region can be hosted. 

Creative Global Leadership Summit – AbuDhabi 

The recent economic climate has shifted global power towards the surplus countries including the oil exporting 

Middle East. As untraditional regions take greater stakes in the global economy, it is imperative that a dialogue take 

place among the countries in the Middle East, as well as those within their sphere of influence, in order to discuss 

key challenges and opportunities in both subjects of international peace and regional development 





Middle East Initiatives 

Media and Advocacy 

Concerned about the manner in which the ‘war on terror’ has constructed Arabs, Muslims, and the Middle East 

in general, the Foundation will work closely with regional partners – such as the Triangle for Peace – to promote 

global interrelationships through the media, arts and crafts in order to increase cultural understanding between the 

Middle East and the west. It will also support documentaries and other media initiatives that show Palestinians who 

are taking initiatives to support their communities and themselves, businessmen and entrepreneurs. 

Exchange programs 

The Foundation will support programs in particular through supporting of educational and cultural exchange 

programs, exhibitions, seminars and media events. The foundation will also continue to advocate for media programs 

that increase awareness of Arab and Muslim cultures. 

Inclusive Political Process 

The Foundation considers essential the partnership of the west, Israel and the Palestinians, as well as the greater 

engagement with Iran, for resolution of the regional political impasse. The Fund will support efforts aimed at the 

convening of stakeholders to think creatively about efforts to transform lives of those affected by the decades 

of conflict in a manner that respects Israeli security while at the same time creating the possibility of Palestinian 

statehood. The Foundation will support heads of state working within this approach with the Middle East Fund. 




WWW.LTBFOUNDATION.ORG 

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GLOBAL CREATIVE LEADERSHIP SUMMIT - Artinfo

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