RBF President Stephen Heintz Appointed to Global Commission on Democracy and Multilateralism

Rockefeller Brothers Fund President and CEO Stephen Heintz has been appointed to the Club de Madrid's new Global Commission on Democracy and Multilateralism (GCDM).

The GCDM’s work responds to two intersecting trends: the erosion of democratic governance around the world and the weakening of multilateral institutions as effective vehicles for cooperation. Its members will work together to explore how multilateral frameworks can support democratic governance and how democratic values can reinforce the legitimacy and effectiveness of international cooperation.

Chaired by George Papandreou, former prime minister of Greece, and supported by Vice Chairs Kevin Casas-Zamora of International IDEA and Aminata Touré, former prime minister of Senegal, the Commission’s distinguished members include former heads of government and other internationally recognized figures with extensive experience in democratic governance and multilateral affairs, like former World Bank Vice President Obiageli "Oby" Ezekwesili and United Nations Foundation President Elizabeth Cousens.

The GCDM will develop actionable strategies to strengthen multilateral systems’ ability to support democracy at the national level; promote alignment among U.N. bodies, regional organizations, and the ecosystem of democracy initiatives; provide policy guidance to decision makers that is feasible within current institutional and geopolitical constraints; and reinforce multilateral agencies' and political leaders' engagement with civil society and academia.

Heintz’s participation reflects the RBF’s longstanding commitment to strengthening the vitality of democracy and advancing just and durable peace. His 2024 report, A Logic for the Future, examines the ideas that underlie today’s system of international relations and proposes solutions to better meet global challenges in the current age of turbulence.