Megalynaria of the Advent Paraklesis - The Byzantine Choir of St.George Orthodox Cathedral,Pittsburgh

Dormition of the Theotokos Doxasticon (All 8 Tones) with icons - The Byzantine Choir of St.George Orthodox Cathedral,Pittsburgh,Pennsylvania (Antiochian Archdiocese)

Globalism Takes Hold

The G20 is now the apex of economic cooperation,the leaders of the 20 most prominent economies agreed at their Pittsburgh summit last week.This represents the triumph of globalism over the old country club of the G8,which consisted only of the developed nations.The G20 summits set forth broad frameworks which shape and coordinate the work of national governments as they grapple with the economic issues of the day.The G8 will be folded into the G20 summits as dinner meetings.It will deal mainly with security and donor issues.
At Pittsburgh,the G20 promised to develop tougher capital requirements for banks;crack down on financial executives' compensation;elevate the status of developing countries;and resist the threat of protectionism to economic stability.These promises could be handled elsewhere,but a summit gives world leaders a chance to develop personal rapport.

WTO Director Sees Progress

Pascal Lami,Director of the World Trade Organization,noted progress at the G8 summit in Italy last week:1.solid impetus,solid commitment to push back protectionist tendencies;2.commitment to finish the Doha round of negotiations;3.commitment to keep pushing on open trade,which is what developing nations need.As compared to last year,the U.S. and India have expressed the political will together.There remains a bit of compromising to be done,but their commitment to Doha 2010 is something new,Mr.Lami observed.
The G20 group of developed and key developing nations are to meet in Pittsburgh,Pennsylvania in September.The G8 summit may be considered to have been preparation for what many believe to be the more significant meeting.