The 2024 Global Progress Action Summit, co-hosted by Canada 2020 and the Center for American Progress Action Fund, convened in Montréal on September 21, 2024, at a critical juncture in history. Amid the rising tide of authoritarianism, overlapping global crises, and a profound shift in the foundational rules governing multilateralism, progressive leaders from nearly 20 countries gathered to address pressing global challenges and chart new policy directions.
Patrick Gaspard, then-CAP Action president, said:
In the face of antidemocratic efforts—from Project 2025 in the United States to far-right movements in France and Germany and election integrity in Venezuela—this moment calls on policy leaders not to give into fear and fascism but to press forward with a vision that understands we have the collective power to create a better future.
The summit brought together global changemakers, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, and Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Ressa, to grapple with building prosperity and security in a world transforming faster than ever.
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine stood out as a stark example of this changing global order. For proximate European nations like Finland, the war’s repercussions are keenly felt, making support for Ukraine not only an act of solidarity but a crucial investment in European security. Speakers acknowledged that major conflicts—including the humanitarian emergency in Gaza—invariably reshape the international system, prompting a crucial call for progressives to reevaluate what it means to strive for and maintain peace, which can no longer be taken for granted.
Discussions extended to the evolving trans-Atlantic relationship with China, focusing on how to maintain economic cooperation amid rising competition and the critical issue of Chinese investments in infrastructure. Progressive leaders further underscored the vital interplay between domestic and foreign affairs, sharing insights on how to deliver on shared commitments across climate action, democratic resilience, and inclusive economic development.
Braeden Caley, president and CEO of Canada 2020, said:
Nearly half of the world’s population lives in a country with a national election in 2024—keeping progress and democracy front of mind for all of us. Whether building a bulwark against authoritarianism or delivering economic and social policies that work for everyone, this summit is an essential gathering for the global progressive movement to ensure we can keep delivering results on our shared values.
Despite the formidable challenges, the summit also revealed opportunities for joint progress. Concerted action to confront the climate crisis is not only a vehicle for economic growth and social transformation at home but also a means to build global commitments to confront transnational risks. Supporting independent journalism as an antidote to tyranny and advancing rights-based digital transformations can address the information crisis and help restore social trust in democracy.
The summit also brought together members of the inaugural Field Fellowship cohort, led by former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, to tackle the critical challenges facing progressive governance today. Leaders from Hungary, Albania, the Netherlands, and Greece explored how to navigate ineffective governance and refine messaging amid widespread cynicism and pessimism toward institutions.
A central theme was the value of empathetic leadership, highlighting that pragmatic idealism is not a sign of weakness; instead, it’s a powerful tool for effective policy solutions. Fellows concluded by stressing the imperative for progressives to effectively communicate the tangible progress they have achieved, thereby shaping a new, unified global progressive movement.