Speakers Series: The Changing Nature of Global Problem Solving		Regional Organizations Global multilateral institutions are increasingly said to be on the verge of irreversible financial crises, and their ability to finance the provision of international public goods is obviously curtailed by the lassitude with which members of the world community meet their commitments. At the same time, although the United Nations system maintains a presence in each continent through regional economic commissions and development banks, each region has completed or is in the process of creating its own economic and political bloc. In addition, sub-regional institutions have proliferated in some regions, thus creating even smaller fora for political, economic, and social coordination. These new cooperative arrangements suggest that while the demand for international public goods continues to be very high, their supply is changing shape and composition. Global providers are devolving responsibility while sub-global providers are to varying degrees asserting their interest in assuming greater responsibility for delivering a diversified set of international public goods. The coexistence of sub-regional, regional, and global multilateral entities has a very powerful impact on the efficacy and efficiency with which international obligations are and can be carried out. Building on a planning grant provided by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, this project addresses the actual and potential capacity of sub-regional and regional institutions to complement and implement the delivery of socially relevant goods and services ascribed to global multilateral institutions in the aftermath of WWII. The project's objective is to formulate and disseminate policy recommendations on the desirability, feasibility, and improved governance of the international public sector. Results from reports and meetings will be published in the CIC's policy series, Paying for Essentials. Publications Survey of Regional Organizations prepared by: David O'Brien, with Charles Graybow and Maurizio Iacopetta Review of Research Charles Graybow and David O'Brien Research Organizations Review Regional Burden-Sharing for Humanitarian Action by David O'Brien