The Jackson Hole Center for Global Affairs

Mission Statement: Harnessing the inspirational power of Jackson Hole, the Jackson Hole Center for Global Affairs brings together individuals and organizations to identify and respond to global issues of interest and concern to the community.

The Jackson Hole Center for Global Affairs is a local organization with global reach. Our partnerships with organizations in the United States and Asia enable us to take action on global challenges which affect the community of Jackson Hole and the world. This approach to global problems reverses an old adage: JHCGA encourages the community to think locally and act globally. Our organization provides an opportunity for the community to do so.

JHCGA’s flagship project, the U.S.-China Clean Energy Initiative, has brought together over 200 policymakers and technical experts in a half-dozen exchanges over as many years to address the issue of growing global carbon emissions from coal. JHCGA President David Wendt has addressed challenges of “clean coal” in U.S.-China relations in talks in Denver and Santa Fe and in a policy paper reproduced on this website, entitled, Clean Coal: U.S.-China Cooperation in Energy Security. The policy paper was published jointly by the East-West Institute (EWI) and the China Institute in International Studies (CIIS), as part of a publication series arising from an ongoing EWI- and CIIS-sponsored multilateral dialogue on security issues, Trialogue 21.

Over the past year methane emissions from coal mines has been a primary focus. 7.5% of China’s total coal-related emissions derive from this source. In partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, JHCGA brought over two dozen global technical experts associated with the multilateral Methane-to-Markets Partnership to Jincheng, a city of 2.2 million in Shanxi province. Participants explored emerging technologies for reducing this source of carbon emissions. The meeting, held in February 2009, has been documented in a film produced by JHCGA Director of Communications, Olivia Meigs. JHCGA has also initiated several exchanges between government and legislative agencies in Wyoming and Shanxi, which address cooperation in tourism and the rule of law, respectively.

JHCGA further identifies issues of interest and concern to the community through activities to promote awareness of global issues. The Global Business Roundtable, launched in March 2008, brings business and financial leaders from around the world to Jackson Hole to share their insights in bi-monthly luncheon meetings with investors and other financial leaders in the community. Other speakers have included Greg Mortenson, author of the New York Times best-selling book, Three Cups of Tea, speaking about his work in building schools for girls in Pakistan and Afghanistan, and former CIA Director R. James Woolsey, speaking on U.S. challenges in achieving affordable, secure, and sustainable energy.