Many of CIPE's partners began their work at the "grass roots" level. It wasn't long, however, before the power of their ideas and the success of their work moved them into national leadership positions. Below are just a handful of the remarkable people who have played an instrumental role in successful CIPE programs throughout the years.
At the forefront of the reform movement in Russia today is Andrei Illarianov, a CIPE partner during the Yeltsin era, when Illarianov argued strongly (but unsuccessfully) against the disastrous policies that led to the 1998 ruble crash. Today, he is the chief economic advisor to Russian President Vladimir Putin and one of the key architects of Russia's recent economic reform program.
In the mid-1980s, Domingo Cavallo headed the Argentinean Mediterranean Foundation (AMF), one of CIPE's first grantees, where he pioneered cost-benefit analyses of reform proposals. When the country held new elections, AMF's economic plan was adopted at the highest levels, and Cavallo became Minister of Economy. In that capacity, he led the subsequent economic turnaround of Argentina. Today, Cavallo continues to press for reform upon his return as Minister of the Economy. He was called back as a tireless crusader for economic reform and competitiveness.
The ongoing campaign by the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) to achieve democracy and a truly competitive, transparent market economy reflects the talent of its leadership team to articulate and represent its membership's needs. Responsibility for day-to-day implementation of this vision falls to Lawrence O. Adekunle, NACCIMA's Director General. The skills that Adekunle brings to this federation of 55 local and state chambers were developed through years of involvement in business and associations. With CIPE support, NACCIMA launched Economic Policy Watch as part of its watchdog role during the 1999 government transition, identifying which reform policies were being implemented and which were not. Today, Adekunle is reaching out through the NACCIMA network to build the skills of future leaders and professionalize the chamber system through a program of training and accreditation.
CIPE grantee Zef Preci of the Albanian Center for Economic Research (ACER) was appointed Minister of Privatization a few years ago. When he refused to approve a particular privatization project on the grounds that it was clearly corrupt, he found himself dismissed from government and accused of corruption. Preci fought back and was cleared of all charges. He is now back at ACER continuing the battle against corruption in Albania and throughout the region.
Sergio Soto-Priante was until recently Director for International Relations at the Mexican Employers' Confederation (COPARMEX), which has worked with CIPE for the past 15 years, most recently hosting a 1999 regional forum on economic reform advocacy strategies. Founded in 1929, COPARMEX was Mexico's first truly private and independent business organization, fighting aggressively for a more open political and economic system. CIPE's projects with COPARMEX recently received noteworthy recognition as having "exceptional impact" during a comprehensive review of 15 years of CIPE programs. Soto-Priante has recently joined President Vicente Fox's government as the Coordinator of Advisors for Regional Development in the Ministry of Social Development. He is one of several former COPARMEX associates who have joined the Fox government, including Minister of Labor Carlos Marķa Abascal Carranza, a former president of COPARMEX.
In the same vein, Ivan Miklos of the MESA 10 think tank in Slovakia built a reputation as an outspoken critic of the cronyist Meciar government. After helping to bring down Meciar, he was appointed Deputy Prime Minister and is one of the most vocal proponents of free market policies and democratic development in the country.
In the troubled Balkan region, CIPE has been supporting the Economics Institute in Serbia, along with a host of other private groups that helped to bring down President Slobodan Milosevic. One of the key individuals involved is Goran Pitic, who is now Minister of International Economic Relations for the Serb transitional regime. Pitic's new job is to secure enough foreign support to avoid chaos in the short term, while helping to reintegrate Yugoslavia into international financial and investment markets.
Women have also played a key role in CIPE's efforts worldwide. A shining example is Joyce Banda, chairwoman of the National Association of Businesswomen in Malawi. With CIPE support, NABW has been advocating policy changes and the inclusion of women in building consensus on business issues. NABW members have grown and prospered such that women now account for over 45 percent of Malawi businesses and show greater employment growth in four of six sectors. At a recent CIPE conference, Banda helped to organize a new American-African Businesswomen's Alliance. The Alliance has already given rise to a new initiative for an African Women's Bank, for which Banda has been asked by the Vice President of Uganda to serve on the Steering Committee.
The China Center for Economic Research at Beijing University is providing the intellectual resources to help push China's economy toward a market-based system. The Center published the first indigenous economic textbooks to cover market economics in Chinese, then took the discussion to the Internet, providing a channel for domestic and international debate on reform issues. Now, the Center is linking together over 20 universities to reach the next generation. The China Center and other CIPE partners there are leading the fight inside of China to build on the World Trade Organization agreement and to continue transforming China into a market-oriented economy.