GFI Founder’s Update-March 2022
Dear Friend,
Yesterday, democracy lost one of its leading advocates, Secretary Madeline Albright. And GFI lost one of its long-time supporters. I was honored to be part of President Clinton’s Administration and to serve when Madeline Albright was Secretary of State. While I had the privilege of traveling with Madeline on President Clinton’s historic trips to India, Vietnam, Pakistan and Bangladesh, one of my most memorable trips with Secretary Albright was when we were together in Prague for the 2002 NATO Summit. It was the first time a former Soviet bloc country would host the NATO Summit, and it was also when flood waters reach record levels in one of Europe’s most beautiful cities.
Madeline was scheduled to speak at several events, but she had a rare unscheduled morning, so we took a walk from Prague Castle to Freedom Square. Because of the Summit, there were no cars, very few people and only young soldiers stationed along the side of the walkway. I had not seen Madeline for many months, so I was thrilled to have one-on-one time as we walked the downhill path to the square. I watched the young soldiers smile as Madeline stopped to greet them and speak in her native tongue. You knew immediately they too were so proud and honored to meet her. I recall Madeline pointing out her family’ home as young girl, talking about the importance of expanding NATO and her thoughts about the state of the world in 2002. A vastly different time than today. I, somewhat nervously, shared with her my vision for creating an NGO, later named, GFI that would bring many stakeholders together from government, business, academia and civil society to develop economic models to expand opportunities for the global working poor. Madeline offered her support and shared her ideas about the importance of inclusive growth especially in the former Soviet bloc countries.
So, it was not a surprise when Madeline called a year later and asked if GFI would have an interest in working in Ukraine. Yes, Ukraine. Not many know that GFI, because of Madeline, launched its first multi-stakeholder, economic project in Kiev. Madeline, of course, was the keynote speaker for GFI’s conference entitled Ukraine, Europe & the World. Madeline spoke not only about the importance of a democratic Ukraine but also the need for Ukraine to adopt policies for an inclusive economy. An economy in which all its citizens could had an opportunity for shared prosperity. A great deal has happened in the past 20 years, but Madeline knew then that democracy without economic growth and shared prosperity would not be sustainable.
Madeline’s death is a huge loss for democracy, especially when the world needs her strong voice, her experience and her wisdom. I am honored to have known Madeline and remain grateful that she opened the door for GFI’s work in Ukraine and that she continued through the years to give me guidance on the ways GFI could better help the world see that the working poor must have a greater share of the world’s prosperity.
Sincerely,
Karen Tramontano
President and Founder
