International Student Summit - Cyber Security and Civil Liberties
September 17, 2010
The Student Summit will connect students in the Pittsburgh region to students in countries around the world through video conference and webcast, engaging them in a dialogue exploring the tensions between cyber security and civil liberties issues.
How does the G-20 differ from the G-7
and G-8?
G-7 Background and Framework The G-8's roots lie in the oil crisis and global economic recession of the early 1970s. In 1973, these challenges prompted the US to form the Library Group - an informal gathering of senior financial officials from Europe, Japan and the US. At the instigation of the French, a 1975 meeting drew in heads of government. The delegates agreed to meet annually. The six nations involved became known as the G-6, and later the G-7 and G-8 after the entries of Canada (1976) and Russia (1998). Alongside the annual summits are regular meetings of the G-8 foreign ministers to discuss foreign policy issues. Other ministers (labor, environment, development, etc.) also meet once a year in the G-8 framework. Though the G-8 was set up as a forum for economic and trade matters, other issues are often addressed, including energy, climate change, and relations with developing countries. Eight members can agree on policies and can set objectives, but compliance is voluntary. The G-8 has clout in other world bodies because of the economic and political muscle of its members. Since 2005, the G-8 has been holding dialogues with the major emerging economies of Brazil, China, India, Mexico, and South Africa. |
What is the G-20?
The G-20 is an informal forum that promotes open and constructive discussion between industrial and emerging-market countries on key issues related to global economic stability. By contributing to the strengthening of the international financial architecture and providing opportunities for dialogue on national policies, international co-operation, and international financial institutions, the G-20 helps to support growth and development across the globe. What are the Origins? For complete details on the G-20, click here. |
The G-20
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