GFCC Releases Reports with Insights from the GIS and Leadership Dialogue

Published on Tuesday 25 Mars, 2025

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The GFCC is pleased to announce the launch of two key reports covering insights from discussions held at two of our flagship events in November last year: the Global Innovation Summit (GIS) in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and the Leadership Dialogue on Universities 4.0 and Their Role in Driving Place-Based Innovation and Socio-Economic Transformation, in Birmingham, United Kingdom. 
 
The Global Innovation Summit (GIS) brought together over 850 participants from 30 countries between November 12 and 15 to discuss two of the most pressing issues impacting global competitiveness today: sustainability and economic inclusiveness.

 

Under the theme "Accelerating Global Sustainability and Economic Inclusion," more than 130 speakers from business, government, higher education, and civil society explored ways to overcome the perceived trade-off between economic performance, social inclusion, and environmental protection.
 
The report captures key insights and strategies shared during these discussions and provides actionable takeaways to guide leaders in building organizations focused on a sustainable and inclusive future.

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In Birmingham, the focus was placemaking innovation, with a particular emphasis on the role of universities in driving local innovation ecosystems by leveraging local assets and addressing regional needs. 

 

Prof. Aleks Subic, Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of Aston University and Chair of the University and Research Leadership Forum, showcased Aston's work at the Birmingham Innovation Precinct, a world-class innovation cluster in development, led by the university. University leaders from across the globe also shared examples of impactful initiatives in their home countries.

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"These two events, held in partnership with our members, are a vivid example of the power of a global community that stands for win-win solutions in the face of many of the daunting challenges we face in  our respective nations and as a global community committed to advancing  productivity, sustainable economic growth, and prosperity," says GFCC President Deborah L. Wince-Smith. "The discussions that took place in Belfast and Birmingham, documented in these reports, not only offer solutions and innovative strategies for pressing matters impacting competitiveness but also served as fertile ground for building impactful partnerships among our members."

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Download the GIS and the Leadership Dialogue reports now.

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