President Pamela Gann was recently elected to the Board of Directors for the Council on Foreign Relations. The Council on Foreign Relations is an independent, nonpartisan membership organization of leaders and scholars from government, business, education and the non-profit community. The mission of the Council is to be a resource to its members and other prominent thinkers related to foreign affairs in the United States and across the globe. The Board of Directors provides overall direction of the Council.
The Council houses the David Rockefeller Studies Program, a "think tank" of Fellows who write and publish books, reports, articles and op-eds on foreign policy issues facing the United States and the world. The leading journal of international relations Foreign Affairs is also published through the Council.
"The Council does an outstanding job, in a non-partisan way, of bringing together leaders and scholars to address critical issues in foreign affairs," states Gann. "I am honored to be a part of this impressive group, and look forward to forwarding the mission of the Council."
As a member of the Board, Gann joins a group that contains an impressive range of experience in public affairs, business and education, including alumnus Henry Kravis '67. Gann is a former International Affairs Fellow of the Council, and previously served on the selection committee for these fellowships. She currently serves on the Membership Committee.
A key interest for Gann is the Council's outreach to the higher education community. The CFR's Academic Initiative connects educators and students with CFR's research and nonpartisan analysis through curriculum modules, interactive discussions, and books and reports on major foreign policy issues. Furthermore, the Council is in collaboration with the Forum for the Future of Higher Education . Together they host a biannual Working Group to explore how higher education institutions can meet the challenges of globalization in an ever-changing world.
"The outreach the Council has provided to the higher education community is invaluable," Gann adds. "By engaging in high level educational policy discussions, developing materials for curriculum support, and providing access to CFR fellows that students wouldn't otherwise receive, the Council is a key resource to institutions involved in developing the next generation of foreign policy leaders and thinkers."