Taking a Look at the 2002 G8 Summit

by Terrance Malkinson

Kananaskis Alberta, Canada served as the site of the 2002 G8 (Group of 8) Summit, an annual forum at which world leaders meet face-to-face to discuss world affairs. The G8 Summit, first held in 1975, brings together leaders from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The group's primary objectives are to support economic growth, reduce global poverty, encourage good governance, encourage sustainable development, promote peace and security, and improve global public health and safety. Taken together, these countries' economies account for 48 percent of the global economy; 80 percent of the economic activities of developed economies; and 49 percent of global trade. The European Union also participates, and special guests are invited. This year, United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan attended, as did representatives from Africa.

Kananaskis (http://www.kananaskisvalley.com) and Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien welcomed the world leaders on 26 and 27 June. Located 100 km southwest of Calgary in the Rocky Mountains, Kananaskis provided an informal, retreat-like setting that allowed the group to maximize their time together without distraction. This setting is a return to the original G8 concept of a focused, working summit that facilitates open and frank discussion among world leaders.

The Summit Achievements

The group discussed three main priorities at this year's Summit:

• Strengthening global economic growth and sustainable development
  The leaders discussed the outlook for domestic and global economic growth and the complex challenges associated with sustainable development and poverty reduction. They agreed to resist protectionist pressures and to work with developing countries to ensure the successful conclusion of the Doha Development Agenda (http://www.dti.gov.uk/worldtrade/postion.htm) by 1 January 2005. They also agreed that education is the foundation for a higher quality of life and an investment in peace. Currently, more than 100 million children worldwide are not in school. In addition, 25 percent of the world's population completes less than five years of basic education, and nearly one billion adults are illiterate. The leaders adopted several recommendations to help developing countries achieve universal and equal access to primary education for all children. 
  
  As for poverty reduction, the group focused on the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative (HIPC), launched in 1999 (http://worldbank.org/hipc). This initiative is considered an important mechanism for debt reduction. The G8 leaders discussed securing the participation of all creditors, completing the financing of the HIPC initiative, and debt sustainability at the completion point. They realize that the importance of debt relief, coupled with good governance, will facilitate fiscal solvency, long-term economic growth and social development.

• Building a new partnership for Africa's development
  Poverty in Africa is on the rise, with more than 40 percent of the people currently living below the international poverty line. In addition, life expectancy in Africa is the lowest in the world. AIDS is pandemic, reaching levels of more than 25 percent in some African countries. The G8 leaders agreed to adopt an action plan to serve as a framework for action in support of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (www.africainitiative.org). The plan calls for promoting peace and security; strengthening institutions and governance; fostering trade investment; encouraging economic growth and sustainable development; implementing debt relief; expanding educational opportunities; improving health; increasing agricultural productivity; and improving water resource management. All leaders agreed that much more needs to be done and that African countries that practice sound governance will be supported by the G8.

• Fighting terrorism
  Following the events of September 11th, fighting terrorism has become a critical priority for discussion among world leaders. The G8 is committed to implementing the United Nations' Security Council Resolution 1373, which sets the standard for international action against terrorism. The leaders agreed to sustain actions to deny sanctuary to terrorists, to bring terrorists to justice, and to reduce the threat of terrorist attacks. They also agreed on six non-proliferation principles to prevent terrorists from acquiring or developing weapons. Further, they agreed to cost-effective and efficient but secure flow of people, cargo, and vehicles by air, sea and land. Finally, they succeeded in raising $20 billion to decommission nuclear weapons and install tight controls around nuclear, biological and chemical weapons in Russia.

Summit Location Benefits from Serving as Host

Preserving and protecting the natural environment in this mountain setting was a top priority for Summit organizers. Toward that end, leaders were allowed only 25 accompanying team members at the Summit site. Lower-level delegates remained in Calgary or surrounding towns, where they communicated electronically with their delegations. Spouses and family members did not attend.

Environmental Legacy Established

Organizers also conducted a strategic environmental assessment to identify the scope and nature of environmental issues associated with the Summit. Because the area is home to many threatened animal species and a variety of large mammals that may be affected by the human presence, organizers wanted to take measures early on to mitigate damage that this activity might cause to the environment or animals. Approximately 5,000 military soldiers and 1,500 Royal Canadian Mounted Police officers received "leave no trace" training and patrolled the village and surrounding backcountry during the Summit.

As a result of organizers' efforts, an environmental legacy consisting of two initiatives has been set up. First, a wildlife crossing will link habitat areas to reduce wildlife road fatalities and human-animal confrontations in the Kananaskis/Banff area. In addition, a University of Calgary wildlife ecology chair will focus on ecological and wildlife issues in the eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains. This chair will foster high-quality, multidisciplinary graduate research, including habitat management and conservation, managing endangered species, and encouraging an integrated approach to landscape management. In keeping with the tradition of legacies remaining from the 1988 Winter Olympic Games held in Calgary, these two initiatives are valuable contributions to the Summit host community and will be greatly appreciated by the citizens.

Responsible Activism Respected, Peaceful

Non-violent protest, which included marches and demonstrations, did occur during the Summit, but little, if any, damage resulted, compared to what has occurred at past international leadership gatherings. Many factors contributed to this more peaceful outcome. Effective communication and respect shown to all stakeholders was the critical success factor. In addition, the Summit was held at a remote location, and some 2,000 journalists relied on electronic communication sent to satellite sites in Calgary, rather than gathering at the site itself. Organizers kept a website updated constantly, providing a single point of accurate information for all Summit activities. Finally, the police officers respected the citizens' and visitors' right to protest peacefully while remaining committed to providing a balanced, measured, and appropriate response to activities or incidents that went too far.

The hosts and organizers made significant efforts to improve the human condition at the Kananaskis G8 Summit. They offered world leaders a business-like atmosphere, where they could work toward better understanding and resolve differences. For details about the Kananaskis G8 Summit, visit the official website, www.g8.gc.ca. Next year's G8 Summit will be held in France.

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Terrance Malkinson is a proposal manager/documentation specialist with GE Capital IT Solutions, Inc.; a Senator-elect of the University of Calgary; and international correspondent for IEEE-USA Today's Engineer. Opinions expressed are those of the author.