Brisbane to stage global think tank forum during G20

This year's G20 host city Brisbane, Australia, will bring together some of the world's most influential people for a special "global cafe" think tank program to be run in conjunction with the international summit.
An estimated 4,000 delegates and 3,000 media representatives are expected to attend the Australian-based G20 summit in November and Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said Thursday that the " Brisbane Global Cafe" will cover additional areas of international interest.
"While the official Brisbane G20 summit will focus on achieving stronger economic and employment growth and dealing with future economic shocks, the Brisbane Global Cafe will fill the gaps on issues such as improving human life, technology and design," Quirk said in a media release.
The "cafe" will also explore important issues such as developing cities that match future needs, powering the future economy and workforce needs, and exploring the emerging frontiers of tourism.
The two-day event will feature speakers, workshops and media conferences in the week of the G20.
"The Brisbane Global Cafe is a new concept to enrich the G20 experience," he said.
"We're aiming to create a thought-leadership program that deepens the global conversation and champions issues of particular importance to Brisbane."
It is hoped that many of the up to 3,000 international media expected in Brisbane for the G20 will extend their stay to also cover the Brisbane Global Cafe.
The program, driven by economic development board Brisbane Marketing, will target international and Australian media, industry thought-leaders, academia and individuals with an interest.
"The themes were chosen for their relevance to the future of mankind as well as their relevance to Brisbane's expertise," Quirk said.
"Brisbane's entrepreneurial culture encourages investment and fresh thinking evident in everything from our architecture and major infrastructure to our reputation for fostering scientific breakthroughs and our embracing of the digital age."
"With up to 3,000 of the world's top journalists in Brisbane for the G20, there will never be a better time to discuss compelling subjects at the heart of human aspiration.
"Hosting the G20 is a once-in-a-generation chance for Brisbane to step up and take its place among the emerging new world cities of the 21st century.
"The world's leading economic decision-makers will see first- hand Brisbane's world-class infrastructure, thriving entrepreneurial culture and can-do business attitude."
Brisbane Marketing CEO John Aitken said the Brisbane Global Cafe would create global discussions built upon engaging content.
"We will be sourcing content by commissioning recognized world experts to write articles, aggregating media reports and content from across the globe as well as creating content ourselves within the four themes," Aitken said.