Cockatoo has been liaising with some of our US members to link clusters to drive collaborative aid, investment and aid outcomes. Herewith some very important feedback. If YOU are interested in linking your network or cluster with overseas equivalents, PLEASE email us ASAP. Refer last para.
“Finally the timing is right…as you well know, the US had focused inward for much of the past 12 months. However, with Obama’s recent visits to Russia, Africa, and with the G8 looking for answers, the focus seems to finally be turning outward.
The concept of “soft power”, that Condaleeza Rice embraced too late, has become a core component of the mantra of Obama/Hillary Clinton. But it had conversely lessened the urgency to do something collaborative, and along with the economic crisis, caused a lack of interest in State and Commerce Departments.
However, with the recent recognition by the Administration that, as a fragile recovery has taken shape, the best way to strengthen the recovery is through international economic engagement, things may have changed.
For Louisiana, the concept of linking is especially critical due to the (real or imagined) dire consequences of the passage in the U.S. of comprehensive climate change legislation. To many, Louisiana’s vast expertise in oil exploration and production will need to be exported as cap and trade will have a huge impact on that industry. Likewise, we will need to import intellectual capital and services in alternative energy, and pursue other ways to replace the economic activity of that industry.
Could you please just list for me the responses you’ve had from UAE, Pakistan, New Zealand, etc? I will add mine from Japan, Africa, India, and the Caribbean. A colleague is again going to D.C. on the 21st and will be meeting personally with the key official who expressed support previously, and now may be able to be a catalyst to fund our initial actions.
