A Vision Born in Little Rock
Creation
The Global Solutions Institute was conceived in December 2012 at a historic meeting in Little Rock, Arkansas. This gathering united the Club de Madrid—106 former presidents and prime ministers from more than 70 countries—and the P80 Group Foundation, founded by HRH Prince Charles, which partners with the world’s largest pension and sovereign wealth funds.
At this meeting, the two groups signed the Little Rock Accord, establishing GSI as the world’s first institute dedicated to the deployment of problem-solving technologies.
Building the Network
Following the Accord, an Implementation Task Force was formed to organize a vast system of partners. This network includes innovators, financiers, NGOs, and global institutions—all working together to accelerate technology deployment.
2001
Club De Madrid Founded following the Conference on Democratic Transition and Consolidation.
2007
P80 started in 2007 as the P8 Group, expanded in 2010 to form the P80 Group.
2012
The (GSI) Global Solutions Institute was conceived in December 2012.
2017
Worked with Fulbright Stakeholders to officially develop the GSI Fulbright Initiative.
Why Little Rock?
Little Rock remains the home of GSI because of its historic roots, strong nonprofit ecosystem (including Heifer International, Winrock International, and the Clinton School of Public Service), and global companies like Walmart, Tyson Foods, and JB Hunt. Its central location and collaborative environment make it an ideal base for an international institute.
Looking Ahead
Since its founding, GSI has hosted global summits and expanded its partnerships. Today, we continue to grow as a center where those with problems and those with solutions come together to create a more sustainable and equitable world.
Photo Credit: Toniklemm, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons