Now on YouTube: C. Fred Bergsten "The World Economy After the Crisis"

Did you miss our Awards Banquet this year? (Shame!) You missed a great night of networking, socializing, and learning! Scholars and professionals came from across the Midwest to support the IRC and confer on current international affairs. As a bonus, everyone dressed up and looked fantastic!

Our biggest draw of the evening was Dr. C. Fred Bergsten and his predictions about the future of the global economy. Dr. Bergsten gave an hour-long speech and took questions from the audience afterwards.

Kicking yourself for missing the fun? You’re in luck. The IRC recorded Dr. Bergsten’s speech, and now for the benefit of all IRC members we are posting the speech to YouTube as a series of audio clips. The clips are embedded below and can also be viewed on our YouTube channel.

Part 1


Part 2


Part 3


Part 4


Part 5


Part 6


Part 7


Part 8



To view and register for more upcoming events, please visit www.irckc.org.
For more on Dr. Bergsten and the Petersen Institute for International Economics, visit www.piie.com

C. Fred Bergsten on the "G-2" of China and the United States

The Annual Awards Banquet approaches! In less than a week members can hear Peterson Institute for International Economics director C. Fred Bergsten speak about the future of the world economy after the crushing losses of 2008.

Dr. Bergsten is a highly sought-after expert in his field. Recently he testified before the United States House of Representative's subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, and the Global Environment. In his testimony, Dr. Bergsten predicts (surprising no one) that China will soon pass Japan as the world's second largest economy. Dr. Bergsten advocates the formation of an "informal G-2," a working partnership between the United States and China, finding solutions to mutual problems such as global warming and guiding the world's economy into recovery. He makes some compelling arguments for such a relationship:

• "the two together accounted for almost one half of all global growth during the four-year boom prior to the crisis;"

• "they are the two largest trading nations;"

• "they are the two largest polluters;"

• "they are on opposite ends of the world's largest trade and financial imbalance: the United States is the largest deficit and debtor country while China is the largest surplus country and holder of dollar reserves; and"

• "they are the leaders of the two groups, the high-income industrialized countries and the emerging markets/developing nations, that each now account for about one half of global output."

Together, China and the United States can exert a huge amount of power in correcting the world's economy and working to end global warming, if the friendly bilateral relationship Dr. Bergsten recommends can be achieved. It will take some compromises from both sides, but as Dr. Bergsten describes the "G-2," one can't help but be excited at the possibilities.

The text of Dr. Bersten's testimony can be found here. To hear more from Dr. Bergsten on the future of the global economy and the United States' place in it, attend our Annual Awards Banquet on Monday, Oct 5th at the Hyatt Regency Crown Center in Kansas City. For all the details and to register, see our website.

More on Danny O'Neill and the Roasterie, 2009 Awards Banquet Honoree

People attending the IRC Awards Banquet on Monday Oct. 5th will hear from Danny O'Neill, our 2009 Award for Contributions to International Commerce and Community Service winner. O'Neill is the president, owner, and "Bean Baron" of Kansas City institution The Roasterie.

The Roasterie Cafe is frequently described as the best coffee (and coffee shop) in the city, and The Roasterie-branded coffee is gaining national recognition, thanks to a recent mention in O, the Oprah Magazine. Roasterie coffee is carefully selected from coffee crops across the globe, air-roasted, specially packed, and served to happy customers daily. Of course, we at the IRC love our coffee, but our recognition actually goes to The Roasterie for the company's fair trade practices and international charity work.

The Roasterie prides itself in paying "a fair price" for coffee, far more than many other companies, which allows small farms to continue to operate rather than fold under the pressure of competition from corporate farms. The Roasterie's St. Drogo foundation is so-named for the patron saint of coffee and goes to communities that produce the coffee beans that eventually become Roasterie coffee. Programs are running in coffee-producing communities in Brazil, Costa Rica, and Colombia. So far the foundation has funded community-based projects such as school and community center construction, and donated educational tools such as computers. The Roasterie also supports WaterPartners (www.water.org) which works to provide clean and safe water sources to communities in Africa, South Asia, and South America.

The Roasterie Coffee is available at grocery stores, restaurants, and (naturally) coffee shops across Kansas City.

The Roasterie Cafe is located in Brookside at 6223 Brookside Blvd. Kansas City, MO 64113.

The Roasterie Plant is open for tours on Saturdays at 9:00 AM. The plant is located at 1204 W 27th Street

The Roasterie Website
O'Neill (BeanBaron) on Twitter

Reminder: IRC Upcoming events!

This is a reminder to all IRC members and the public of our upcoming IRC-sponsored events.

First up:

"Human Trafficking: Hidden in Plain Sight" Sept 1st, 7:00 PM at All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church, 4501 Walnut, Kansas City MO

Timea Eva Nagy was an accomplished young professional in her native Hungary. When she immigrated to Canada in 1998 looking for a summer job, she found herself stripped of her identification and pressed into servitude. Though she eventually escaped, she spent the next six years working to piece her own life back together and bring her captors to justice. She will tour Kansas City with retired FBI agent Jeff Lanza, speaking about her experiences and calling for more education and prevention of human trafficking.

For more on Timea Eva Nagy and her new book Walk With Me, Memoirs of a Sex Slave Survivor, click here.

Next up on the calendar

IRC 26th Annual Awards Banquet, Monday Oct. 5th, Reception at 6:00 PM, Dinner at 7:00 PM at the Hyatt Regency Crown Center in Kansas City.

You can click on tags marked "Awards Banquet" in the blog for more on our speakers.

Reserve your spots now! Visit irckc.org to register today!

C. Fred Bergsten's Keynote Address Topic Released

We've received more information about Dr. C. Fred Bergsten's keynote address, which he will give at our Awards Banquet on October 6th. Dr. Bergsten is the head of the Peterson Institute for International Economics in Washington, DC. The title of the address will be:

The World Economy After the Crisis

Dr. Bergsten also had this to say about his speech:

"I promise some controversial ideas, based on a major project that we have launched here at the Institute on the longer run implications of the recent and current turbulence."

Intrigued? Register today to attend our 26th Annual Awards banquet to hear from Dr. Bergsten, along with Dr. William Neaves of the Stowers Institute and Danny O'Neill of the Roasterie.

Our Awards Banquet will take place on Monday, October 6th, with a reception at 6:00 PM and the dinner and program beginning at 7:00 PM, at the Hyatt Regency Crown Center (Map)

Proceeds from our Awards banquet finance our programming for the entire year! Show us your support while educating yourself about our economy and its future.

More on C. Fred Bergsten, 2009 Distinguished Service Award for International Statesmanship Winner

Those who attend the IRC's Annual Awards Banquet on Oct. 5th will have the chance to see C. Fred Bergsten, one of the world's leading authorities on international monetary policy and trade. Dr. Bergsten is the Director of the Peterson Institute for International Economics in Washington DC. He has held this position since the Peterson Institute's founding in 1981.

From the Peterson Institute's website:

"Dr. Bergsten has been the most widely quoted think-tank economist in the world over the eight-year period 1997–2005. He testifies frequently before Congress and appears often on television. He was ranked 37 in the top 50 "Who Really Moves the Markets?" (Fidelity Investment's Worth), with Alan Greenspan ranked first, and as "one of the ten people who can change your life" in USA Today, along with the inventor of the World Wide Web and the discoverer of ozone layer depletion."

A selection of Dr. Bergsten's recent appearances:
PBS Nightly Business Report, 7/7/09 (Transcript)

Restoring Global Financial Stability: The Asia Pacific's Essential Role 6/09

C. Fred Bergsten: Restoring Global Financial Stability: The Asia Pacific's Essential Role from East-West Center on Vimeo.

Inside Look - Latest on the G-20, 5/1/09



Dr. Bergsten's articles for Foreign Affairs can be found here

Amazon.com page for his latest books, The Long-Term International Economic Position of the United States, and China's Rise: Challenges and Opportunities

To register to attend the 2009 Annual Awards Banquet, call us at (816) 221-4204 or visit us online.

Mark your calendars: The IRC Annual Awards Banquet October 5, 2009

Monday, October 5, 2009

Reception 6:00 p.m.
Dinner and Program 7:00 p.m.
Hyatt Regency Crown Center

IRC is pleased to announce that C. Fred Bergsten, director of the Peterson Institute for International Economics, will receive the Distinguished Service Award for International Statesmanship at IRC's annual Awards Banquet on October 5. Bergsten has served as Assistant Secretary for International Affairs at the U.S. Treasury Department and has been director of the Peterson Institute for International Economics since its foundation in 1981. The Peterson Institute is the only major research institution in the United States devoted to international economic issues. Bergsten is one of the world's leading authorities on international monetary policy and trade (National Journal, Sep 8, 2007). According to Thomas Hoenig, President of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, “Dr. Bergsten has built a global reputation on broad experience in international economics. His appearance is a wonderful opportunity for Kansas Citians to learn his insight on important issues.”

Receiving the Award for Academic Leadership is the Stowers Institute and William Neaves, its president & CEO. Neaves has recruited scientists from around the world to relocate to Kansas City. The Stowers Institute, opened in 2000, is one of the most innovative biomedical research organizations in the world, with 25 independent research projects led by scientists with academic appointments.

Danny O’Neill, President & Owner of The Roasterie, will receive the Award for Contributions to International Commerce & Community Service. The Roasterie gives back to communities they touch by supporting local projects to help farmers, including projects in Brazil, Costa Rica and Rwanda. The Roasterie recently featured in the July issue of O, The Oprah Magazine.

Presenting Sponsor Table $5,000
Premier Seating/Table for Ten/Table Sign
Name and Logo used in pre-event publicity
Recognition from Podium/ Program Listing as Presenting Sponsor

Sponsor Table $2,000
Priority Seating/ Table for Ten/Table Sign
Recognition from Podium/Program Listing as Gold Sponsor

Table Host $1,000
Table for Ten/Table Sign/Program Listing as Table Host

Individual Seating $100 per person

To register, please complete our online registration form, or call 816-221-4204.