Chicago Council Of Global Affairs

Chicago Council On Global Affairs

The Chicago Council on Global Affairs is a global affairs think tank, describing itself as “an independent, nonpartisan organization that provides insight and influences the public discourse on critical global issues.” The organization is based in the Chicago Loop at Two Prudential Plaza.

A Global Affordability Crisis

Representatives from the European Investment Bank, the Islamic Investment Bank, UN Habitat, Shelter Afrique, and the French Development Agency joined moderator Charles Hinga Mwaura, principal secretary at the State Department for Housing and Urban Development in Kenya, for a discussion on the various hurdles to providing formal housing to residents. Chief among these challenges is the lack of long-term financing options, zoning rules, the cost of land, fractured construction supply chains, and ineffective governance structures in affected countries. While these obstacles may be common around the world, the unique challenges of providing housing in countries like Kenya and Nigeria caused panelists and participants to reevaluate some of the most commonly cited policy solutions. According to Mwaura, 91 percent of Nairobi residents are renters 65 percent live in informal settlements, and 15 million Kenyans work in the informal economy, compared to the 2.9 million with formal employment. In a population of about 50 million, Kenya records less than 30,000 mortgages.

The Value Of An Ft Group Subscription

The Councils Group Subscription to the FT enables staff to benefit from the full suite of content and tools on FT.com, including editorially-curated email briefings. Across the Councils various teams, FT commentary in a range of formats serves different purposes and benefits staff in a number of ways.

For programs, Jonathan cites the FTs ability to take on big concepts and make them approachable, as a tangible way he and his team benefit from access. The growing interest around sustainability has led him to Moral Money, the FTs trusted guide to socially responsible business.

I tend to gravitate towards your section on Moral Money quite a bit, he says. Its not the area that Im strongest in but increasingly sustainable business is a theme that comes up in our conversations with the private sector.

As well as being Julianas day-to-day source of international news, she highlights the FTs special reports as being particularly valuable to their research on global cities.

The FT does a special report on cities every year, which comes out around the time of our forum on cities, she explains. That is probably one of the most important outputs for our institution.

Whilst the depth and quality of analysis is key, in a world where were already overloaded with information, getting the format and delivery of content right is also crucial. The FTs fast-expanding range of curated newsletters deliver important insight, in a concise and easily digestible format.

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Feeding An Urban World: A Call To Action

This report focuses on the specific issue of urban food security, describing the demographic and environmental trends as well as food production and infrastructure challenges that impact supply and demand for food in urban areas. Before providing specific examples of the food security challenges faced by cities around the world, the authors propose a framework, or matrix, of issues for policymakers to use in developing and assessing urban food security strategies. The report focuses on case studies in the United States before looking in depth at Chicago, highlighting the citys challenges as well as the opportunity to leverage Chicagos historical strengths and current assets to become a leader in urban food security. Recommendations for addressing the challenges of urban food security globally, include: recognising urban food security as a critical 21st century policy issue taking concrete steps to encourage entrepreneurial activities related to food security building sustainable and resilient urban food ecosystems and positioning Chicago as a world leader in addressing urban food security.

Language: English

Developing Deeper Global Understanding

Its unsurprising that as an organization formed in 1922, the Chicago Council has had to adapt and evolve as the world has changed over the past century.

One thing thats remained constant however is the Councils commitment to public education, which they deliver largely through their 100 public and 50 private programs each year.

Jonathan Macha, managing director of programs at the Chicago Council explains that while Weve done 150 programs per year since 1922 and thats never going to change, the audience they want to reach and topics they cover now go way beyond just whats been historically important in Chicago.

A key goal for the team is to launch more initiatives that really do make us more of a global entity, Jonathan says. Where people know that they can get information thats harder to obtain, but positioned in a way that is more approachable in understanding how these concepts actually affect their lives.

Jonathan highlights the importance of the FTs indepth analysis in helping how they frame global trends. The FT did a Big Read piece on the China Belt and Road initiative, he explains. That was central for us in crafting our narrative around Chinas global expansion and how the private sector should be thinking about it.

This shift towards thinking globally about issues is echoed by Juliana Kerr, director of the Councils global cities research program.

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Found 37 Of Over 75 Reviews

Cons

Pros

-Working at the Council looks great at the resume.-You become well connected working there. It’s a revolving door, so meet as many people as you can. Many people get new jobs through someone they meet at the Council.-The healthcare is surprisingly really good.-The office is nice and they’re attempting to get people back working in there.

Cons

Not too bad I had a good time

Cons

It was boring to be honest

Good network, distinguished experts, great people to learn from, mostly all fantastic people.

Cons

Siloed teams, hostility from some senior management, “digital transformation” is a waste of money, the difference in pay between senior management and everyone else is insane.

Pros

get to be part of some cool programs and interesting conversations related to global affairsget to work alongside some really talented, intelligent professionals

Cons

animosity and poor communication between departmentsa culture of accepting disrespectful behavior from coworkers

Pros

Cons

Pros

Cons

Pros

Working at the Council will open doors for future careersOne of the few employers in the region for global affairsExcellent benefits, but reducing since 2020Good work-life balance for many staff

Cons

Pros

Cons

Pros

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Cons

Case Studies From Industrialized Countries

In Germany, social housing projects are heavily subsidized, and over half of German households rent their homesin Berlin, that figure rises to 83 percent. As in the rest of the world, renters in Germany have a much lower net wealth than their homeowning counterparts, and are composed of much younger and much older age groups. German policy preferences renters in a variety of ways. Eligibility for social housing is broad, increasing the pool of those who qualify. High transfer taxes and no mortgage interest tax deduction makes homebuying very expensive, disincentivizing the purchase of multiple homes for investment purposes.

In Japan, where over one third of citizens rent their homes, rental prices have managed to remain stable for the last two decades, in part because the national government controls zoning laws and is generally favorable toward construction projects that increase housing stock. Japans legal framework also preferences tenants, as highlighted by the countrys leasing system. Tenants are entitled to long-term leases that they can choose to renew indefinitely or terminate at any time the landlord, however, cannot refuse renewal and cannot terminate a lease early without a lawsuit. Rent renewals on long-term leases, per Japanese law, cannot increase the rent significantly, and these renewals usually afford the tenant a deal at below market value, protecting them from swings in rent prices.

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The Premier Global Affairs Organization In Americas Heartland

For almost 100 years, the Chicago Council on Global Affairs has provided a forum in Americas Midwest for thoughtful discussions on the worlds most pressing issues.

Global leaders, policymakers, journalists, and other experts share their insights and experiences from the Councils stage at more than 100 public events each year that are live streamed on TheChicagoCouncil.org.

Beyond offering a platform for constructive dialogue, the Councils work extends to advancing policy solutions to drive action on themes such as food security, as well as collaboration with foundations and corporations seeking to demonstrate their leadership on a wide range of subjects.

In an environment where political and technological disruption are driving momentous and historical shifts in the global order, trusted and nonpartisan voices are more important than ever in engaging the public and promoting an inclusive and secure world.

To keep current in a period of rapid change, the Councils 80+ staff need sources of global intelligence they can trust.

An Institution Powered By Insight

For the Chicago Council, the Financial Times provides far more than just news. Ivo Daalder, the Councils president has been a habitual reader of the FT since his time in Brussels as the US ambassador to NATO.

Initially Ivo was drawn to the FT by his need for a more European perspective, however its even more crucial in his current role. Im running an organization that writes and pontificates on global affairs virtually 24/7, he says. And thats what the FT does better than anyone.

Being well-informed is essential in Ivos role, but not something he feels should be confined to just him and other senior staff.

Through their FT Group Subscription, the Council has made a statement in terms of what their people should be reading in order to develop their international perspective.

I always encourage young folks in particular, that if theyre interested in global affairs, they make sure they read the FT, says Ivo. It gives you an insight that you just dont get by reading American news sources.

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The Chicago Council On Global Affairs

The Chicago Council on Global Affairs is an independent, non-partisan organization committMoreMore

The Chicago Council on Global Affairs is an independent, non-partisan organization committed to educating the public and influencing the public discourse on global issues of the day. The Council provides a forum in Chicago for world leaders, policymakers, and other experts to speak to its members and the public on these issues.

The Chicago Council on Global Affairs is an independent, non-partisan organization committed to educating the public and influencing the public discourse on global issues of the day. The Council provides a forum in Chicago for world leaders, policymakers, and other experts to speak to its members and the public on these issues.

Challenges For The Developing World

In Lagos, it is common practice to require new tenants to pay one years worth of rent upfront this legal practice excludes all but the wealthiest Nigerians from seeking formal rental opportunities. Although Japans protections assist in stabilizing renter turnover, some real estate developers and landlords, dreading the thought of long-term tenants for whom they cannot increase rent, will purposefully construct housing that is unattractive to likely long-term tenants and instead focus on building smaller units like studio apartment to attract students and young professionals, who will likely leave the unit and allow a rent increase on the next tenant. Some level of incentives for developers and landlords to provide adequate stock for long-term renters should be considered as part of a broader tenant protection package to mitigate this risk as well.

Providing stable, affordable rental housing is perhaps the most viable way of tackling the global affordability crisis gripping developed and developing nations alike along with governance strategies to encourage high density construction projects, favorable zoning policies, and significant federal subsidies to increase housing stock, renter-friendly policies to cap rent increases and stabilize tenant turnover are essential tools moving forward.

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