WAIFC leaders met with leading academics at Harvard University

The World Alliance of International Financial Centers (WAIFC) had a series of remarkable meetings, emphasizing leadership excellence and innovation.

A pivotal engagement was with the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative, where WAIFC had the honor of meeting Prof. Rawi Abdelal, the Co-Chair of the initiative.

During the meeting, discussions delved deep into how public sector leaders learn to govern responsibly and ensure quality management. Prof. Abdelal shared insights into the process by which mayors from across the globe embark on a journey of excellence. This journey is meticulously designed to equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in their respective mandates. One of the key takeaways from the meeting was the mutual desire for future collaboration. Both WAIFC and the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative recognize the immense potential that can be unlocked through joint efforts. By combining their expertise and resources, they aim to foster a new era of responsible and effective city leadership.

Furthermore, the delegation visited the Berkman Klein Center on Internet and Society at the Harvard Law School. The Center, renowned for its focus on the vast implications of cyberspace, draws expertise from various domains within the university. This includes computer science researchers, sociologists, public policy experts from the Kennedy School, public health professionals, and, of course, legal experts. The delegation had the opportunity to explore the evolution of degree programs across the university and the emerging questions in these diverse fields. The introduction to the Center was facilitated by its executive director, Dr. Elisabeth Sylvan. 

In another insightful meeting, the WAIFC delegation engaged with Mr. Joshua Galper, the founder and CEO of Finadium. Finadium is a private research company with a focus on securities financing, the intricacies of overnight and short-term money markets across various jurisdictions, collateral management among financial institutions, and derivatives. The company's authoritative expertise is such that even central banks have relied on their research, especially given the sensitivity surrounding the proper operation of these markets. Notably, the estimated revenues generated by securities financing are nearing a staggering $10 billion annually. 

Looking back, these meetings underscored WAIFC's commitment to fostering collaborations, understanding global trends and ensuring that its members remained at the forefront of knowledge and innovation.