The Northeast-Midwest Institute (NEMWI) and the Council of the Great Lakes Region (CGLR) have announced a collaboration agreement between the two organizations.
Signed by NEMWI and CGLR on July 7th, the agreement launches an ambitious effort to strengthen the bilateral relationship between the United States and Canada by undertaking joint policy research on a variety of economic, social, and environmental policy issues facing the Great Lakes region, as well as outreach to federal, state-provincial, and local legislators and policy-makers in both countries.
The overarching goals of the new partnership include:
- Conducting high quality research and policy analysis on issues affecting the broader Great Lakes region;
- Expanding the range and impact of policy solutions designed to protect the Great Lakes and spur economic growth by adding a bi-national perspective to legislative debates;
- Convening diverse perspectives and interests at conferences, roundtables, and legislative briefings;
- Shaping opinions about the region’s long-term competitiveness and sustainability; and,
- Acting as a strong voice for the bi-national Great Lakes Region.
In announcing the new partnership, Dr. Michael Goff, president and CEO of NEMWI, noted the critical importance of the cross-border perspective and collaboration which the new agreement will facilitate.
“This new collaboration will enhance our impact by bringing a bi-national perspective that will broaden the Great Lakes policy agenda and ensure that we respond more fully to the challenges and opportunities ahead,” said Goff. “For sure, this bi-national approach is essential for our continued progress protecting and restoring the Great Lakes and enhancing regional economic growth.”
“This new partnership presents a tremendous opportunity for CGLR and the Northeast-Midwest Institute to leverage each organization’s policy resources and outreach efforts in raising awareness about the world’s most successful bilateral relationship and how we can make it even better in a vital cross-border region like the Great Lakes,” said Mark Fisher, president and CEO of the CGLR. “Ultimately, this ambitious collaboration will also help us develop better economic, social, and environmental policy solutions for the bi-national Great Lakes, as well as a level of organizational effectiveness and efficiency that our funders and donors demand in today’s financially constrained nonprofit sector. ”
For more information, please contact Michael Goff, president and CEO of NEMWI, and Mark Fisher, president and CEO of CGLR.
