Recognizing a Year of Growth and Leadership Impact

Published on December 20, 2024

This year marked significant achievements and inspiration for our community of leaders spanning 35 countries. We catalyzed impactful partnerships to promote competitiveness and inclusive prosperity within our network and released insightful publications, further amplifying our policy influence across the globe.

 

GFCC President and Founder Deborah L. Wince-Smith reviews GFCC's accomplishments in 2024 and upcoming plans for the new year in a celebrative letter. Click here to read.

 

Guided by the visionary leadership of GFCC Chairman Chad Holliday and the support of GFCC board members, including new Vice-Chair Mr. Charles Kiefel AM, the GFCC agenda in 2024 highlighted the link between sustainability and inclusive prosperity and the importance of advancing both simultaneously to build sustainable innovative economies.

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We were pleased to witness the culmination of our work at the Annual Meeting and Global Innovation Summit (GIS) in Belfast, Northern Ireland, from November 11 to 15. Over 850 participants from 30 countries, gathered for exciting discussions and knowledge-sharing activities focused on exploring new models and strategies to overcome perceived trade-offs between sustainability, technological progress, and inclusiveness.

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The GIS also featured conversations about the challenges and opportunities arising from AI and digitalization, groundbreaking innovations driving the energy transition, the essential role of cooperation in advancing food security, among others.​

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Additionally, the GFCC started a new phase of the University and Research Leadership Forum (URLF) this year focused on understanding high-performing university-anchored innovation ecosystems and advancing place-making innovation.

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On November 8, a high-profile group of engaged university members and industry leaders landed in Birmingham, United Kingdom, for The Leadership Dialogue on Universities 4.0 and Their Role in Driving Place-based Innovation and Socio-economic Transformation.​

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This exclusive gathering reunited leaders from Australia, Brazil, Greece, Japan, Malaysia, Northern Ireland, New Zealand, Portugal, the United Kingdom, and the United States, as well as representatives from global corporations such as Amazon Web Services, to discuss the role of universities in advancing innovation and driving socio-economic transformation.

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Besides these two outstanding events, we participated in relevant forums throughout the year, engaging in high-profile network activities and collaborating with members and fellows worldwide.

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These events and much more are outlined in the President's letter. Read now.