Outcomes of the AIGB meeting in November

The Atlantic Institute Governing Board (AIGB) met in London, U.K., Nov. 19-20, 2024. We are grateful to the Atlantic Fellows for Social and Economic Equity program (AFSEE) for hosting us at the London School of Economics and Political Science. This enabled rich conversations with the Atlantic Fellows for Social and Economic Equity, the AFSEE Board, and members and peers of the LSE academic community. 

The meeting marked the conclusion of term for two Board members who were part of the inception phase of the Atlantic Institute. We celebrated the contributions of Christopher G. Oechsli and Elizabeth Kiss and noted their significant roles as the Board Chair and the host of the Atlantic Institute, respectively. The meeting was also an opportunity to welcome Nicolette Naylor as the new AIGB Chair and confirm Kevin Liverpool as the Board’s new Deputy Chair with effect from Nov. 21, 2024.

The meeting resulted in the consolidation of themes that have been under deliberation for several months, including the purpose, duration and impact of the Atlantic Institute. The Board endorsed the development of a strategy for a horizon period that exceeds the next 30 years, i.e., 2055 and beyond. This decision affirms the original intent, as stated in the Atlantic Institute Charter, that the Institute operates for a "minimum" of 15 years.

The Executive Director has been empowered to remodel the Institute's activities, structure, budget plans and resourcing strategies to align with this decision on the Atlantic Institute’s duration. The coming year will be dedicated to designing and implementing changes which will significantly enhance the Institute’s ability to achieve the intention of a lifelong fellowship that allows for the sustained interactions and relationships that will generate opportunities to work collectively on solutions to systemic causes of inequity across disciplines and borders.

As part of this effort, the Executive Director will work with the Board’s Finance Committee to investigate and propose an ethical and socially responsible investment policy that works alongside an investment strategy that serves the 30+ year timeframe for the Atlantic Institute. This work will inform AIGB discussions and decisions over the coming year.

The active input of the Atlantic Fellows community will be critical to the achievement of this outcome. A process of meaningful introspection into the value and impact of the Institute will allow a better understanding of the long-term opportunities available to achieve the Atlantic Institute's core purpose, which is to build a catalytic, lifelong community of leaders. This implies a more intentional and balanced engagement with the strategies outlined in the Institute’s mission, which includes connecting to a broader global network of equity-focused leadership initiatives.

We thank you for your patience while the Atlantic Institute navigates the final stages of its period of pause, reflection and reset. We are confident that this process will contribute significantly to a richer and more enduring experience of learning, achievement and catalytic connections for the Atlantic Fellows community.