Center for American Progress Action

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Global Progress Action

Global Progress Action, an initiative of the Center for American Progress Action Fund, is an international incubator for innovative strategies and ideas on a global scale, engaging with leaders, thinkers, and policymakers. The initiative explores how, together, we can overcome obstacles, advance policy solutions, govern thoughtfully, and shape thriving and inclusive societies.

Global Progress Action is designed to defend and promote liberal democracy and inclusive societies, at a time when democracy faces threats from both foreign autocrats and domestic illiberal forces. By addressing the underlying roots of social unrest and building policy ideas for inclusive and sustainable economies, the initiative sets out a policy direction that can advance progressive solutions for societies around the globe.

Photo shows three people sitting on a stage with large screens, mostly in blue hues, behind them.
David Miliband, president and CEO of the International Rescue Committee; Magdalena Andersson, former prime minister of Sweden; and Patrick Gaspard, CEO of the Center for American Progress Action Fund, speak at the Global Progress Action Summit, hosted by CAP Action and Canada 2020, held in Montreal on September 15–16, 2023. (Credit: Justin Tang)

Restoring Social Trust in Democracy, Democracy, Foreign Policy, International Issues

What We're Doing

Our mission and aims

Global Progress Action seeks to safeguard democracy by bringing together like-minded progressive leaders to raise public knowledge on the most pressing public policy challenges of our time. To do so, we craft successful strategies and communication in civic spaces to support liberal democracy and progressive societies; make democracy deliver by developing policy solutions that bring real change to people’s lives; and revitalize democracy by empowering and fostering ideas for a new generation of leaders and policymakers.

In pursuit of this, Global Progress Action aims to educate the public and leaders on ideas that will:

  • Build an economy for all by sparking innovation; invest in security at home by pushing institutions and political leaders to deliver effectively and efficiently; and enabling local communities to thrive in all parts of the United States and the world.
  • Tackle the climate crisis and environmental injustices by creating more and better jobs through an agenda for clean energy, reindustrialization, and green infrastructure.
  • Restore social trust in democracy by rooting out injustices, ending the cultural wars and shaping a new era of community, and ensuring that everyone has an opportunity to thrive.
  • Renew the era of multilateralism and global collaboration to solve the world’s problems, uplift communities around the world, and protect and promote democracy.
Our approach

Global Progress Action convenes leaders and experts from different countries to facilitate exchanges of best practices in strategy, policy ideation, and public engagement, thereby increasing public knowledge and shaping the international debate. We apply creative approaches to develop ideas for policymakers to bring about meaningful change in their home countries and engage with like-minded international institutions and think tanks to tackle climate change, build an economy for all, and restore social trust in democracy.

By cultivating a new generation of thought leaders and providing a space for vulnerability, empowerment, and growth, Global Progress Action makes a novel contribution to the future of the progressive movement.

Global Progress Action Summit

On September 25 and 26, progressive policy leaders, thinkers, strategists, innovators, and changemakers from nearly 40 countries will gather in London for the 2025 Global Progress Action Summit, one of the largest gatherings of progressive leaders in the world.

Hosted by the Center for American Progress Action Fund, Labour Together, and the Institute for Public Policy Research, this summit convenes high-level discussions and debates that confront the world’s most pressing challenges and that demonstrate the power of progressive thinking and policies.

The Field Fellowship

The Field Fellowship, a new program of Global Progress Action, aims to support and connect leaders who embrace an empathetic and pragmatic style of leadership that draws on hope, not fear, and empowers the many who have been left behind by traditional politics. Where traditional politics has left the world’s empathy-driven leaders isolated, Field challenges the status quo. The fellowship will support leadership growth and prepare participants to lead societal change and shape public opinion. It will help shape possible ideas for a more hopeful, unifying, and optimistic future, building public support for progressive solutions to complex problems.

Learn more

Photo shows four people sitting on while chairs on a stage
Ben Scott, CEO of Reset.tech; Supriya Dwivedi, director of policy and engagement at McGill’s Centre for Media, Technology and Democracy and member of the Canada 2020 Advisory Board; Roberta Braga, founder and executive director of Digital Democracy Institute of the Americas; and Megan Shahi, director of Technology Policy at the Center for American Progress Action Fund sit on a panel at the Global Progress Action Summit held in Montreal on September 15–16, 2023. (Credit: Justin Tang)
Photo shows Patrick Gaspard standing in a suit in front of a podium with the Global Progress Action logo behind him
Center for American Progress Action Fund CEO Patrick Gaspard delivers welcome remarks at the opening of the Global Progress Action Summit, hosted by CAP Action and Canada 2020, held in Montreal on September 15–16, 2023. (Credit: Justin Tang)
Photo shows four people sitting in while chairs on a stage with blue screens behind them
Jonas Gahr Store, prime minister of Norway; Sanna Marin, former prime minister of Finland; Justin Trudaeu, prime minister of Canada participate in a discussion moderated by Supriya Dwivedi, at the Global Progress Action Summit held in Montreal on September 15–16, 2023. (Credit: Justin Tang)
Photo shows a woman listening intently sitting amid a crowd in the audience
Kate Donald, head of the Washington, D.C., office at Oxfam International, listens to a discussion at the Global Progress Action Summit held in Montreal on September 15–16, 2023. (Credit: Justin Tang)

CAP Action and Global Progress Action DNCC Seminar

On Tuesday, August 20, 2024, CAP Action and Global Progress Action hosted a seminar at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago.

People across much of the world are living in an age of anxiety, feeling unheard and left behind. How do democratic societies rise to respond to this critical moment? Global Progress Action brought together global leaders, from home and abroad, to hear challenges, solutions, narratives, and ideas to strengthen the economy, build community, and bring together the nation. Participants discussed how creative, progressive leaders are shaping social policy to solve problems that affect everyday life.

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2025 Global Progress Action Summit Past Event

2025 Global Progress Action Summit

Progressive policy leaders, thinkers, strategists, and changemakers from more than 20 countries gathered in London for the 2025 Global Progress Action Summit, hosted by the Center for American Progress Action Fund, Labour Together, and the Institute for Public Policy Research.

2024 Global Progress Action Summit Past Event
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2024 Global Progress Action Summit

Global progressive political leaders, policy experts, strategists, and changemakers from more than 15 countries came together for the 2024 Global Progress Action Summit in Montréal to discuss and collaborate on bold new ideas and directions in progressive governance.

Théâtre St-James

CAP Action at the 2024 Democratic National Convention Past Event
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CAP Action at the 2024 Democratic National Convention

CAP Action looks at the current state of U.S. politics, as well as the urgent threats to our democratic system and the checks and balances our nation is built on.

United Center

2023 Global Progress Action Summit Past Event
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2023 Global Progress Action Summit

Progressive leaders from around the world gathered in Montréal to exchange ideas and chart a shared path toward more inclusive, responsive governance.

Montréal