The Global Symposium
5-6 May 2026
Unlocking Innovative Finance,
Powering Resilient Growth
The lill Global Symposium is a landmark event in the development of thought leadership on economic growth, sustainable development, and innovative finance in times of multipolarity, fragmentation, harder problems, and institutional inertia. Hosted by the lill Institute for Public Value in academic partnership with Oxford Smith School at the University of Oxford, this high-level conference builds on the legacy of IfTI Global Symposia held in the last decade. As a platform for visionary dialogue and actionable solutions, the 2026 Global Symposium will bring together policymakers, business leaders, financial experts, civil society representatives, and academics to address pressing global challenges. The event is chaired by Professor Andreas Klasen and aims to explore how trade, innovation and sustainability policies, and innovative financial instruments can accelerate economic growth in a fractured world.
Rhodes House,
Symposium Venue
The 2026 Global Symposium at Rhodes House will provide participants with an immersive experience of intellectual engagement and strategic networking. Participants will have the opportunity to help shape a global agenda that uses finance and trade as catalysts for sustainable development. By fostering cross-sector collaboration and knowledge sharing, the Symposium aims to inspire the next generation of leaders to champion sustainable growth pathways. The Chairman Professor Andreas Klasen looks forward to welcoming you to this transformative event and help chart the course towards a just and more resilient global economy.
Unlocking Innovative Finance, Powering Resilient Growth
Symposium Theme
The 2026 Global Symposium will provide a unique opportunity to drive global development agendas and policy frameworks. It will feature keynote addresses from senior government leaders, interactive panel discussions with CEOs from public and private financial institutions, and academic interventions from leading researchers designed to foster new perspectives and partnerships. A particular focus will be on innovative financing mechanisms that can mobilise capital for SDGs 7, 8, and 9. By convening diverse voices from the public, private and civil society sectors, the lill Institute for Public Value aims to advance practical solutions that deliver long-term public value.
Programme
Speakers
FAQ
Our Supporters
The Global Symposium 2024
Quo Vadis, Global Trade?
The 2024 Global Symposium on „Quo Vadis, Global Trade?“ took place at the University of St. Gallen. Discussing the unprecedented trade challenges posed by geopolitical tensions, multipolarity and fragmentation, climate change and inflation, policymakers and financiers tackled pressing issues to find the opportunities behind polycrises and make innovation, trade, investment and environmental goals mutually supportive. Chaired by Professor Andreas Klasen, the former Director of the Institute for Trade and Innovation (IfTI) at Offenburg, participants shared theoretical approaches to better understand and address current challenges, discussed global best practices and presented case studies from governments, export credit agencies, development banks, academia and the private sector.
The Global Symposium 2022
Managing the Green Transition
Chaired by Professor Andreas Klasen, the Global Symposium 2022 at Offenburg about „Managing the Green Transition in Times of Crisis“ discussed challenges to trade in a new global order, as well as opportunities and threats of the green transition: Making policy goals mutually supportive creating challenges for internationally-oriented firms, financial institutions, governments and other stakeholders. In addition, the Germany-Scotland Forum on Responsible Green Growth covered top-level climate trade and investment priorities, as well as Environmental Social Governance. Panels focused on sustainability, hydrogen and renewable energy, as well as a more technology-oriented discussion how data and digitalisation are empowering companies’ journey towards sustainability and process efficiency.