Dear colleagues,
As 2024 comes to a close, we are reflecting a great deal on the ways in which the world is undergoing profound changes. We are witnessing major developments, from nuclear strategic stability to biological risks and global health security, to climate and ecological changes and the many acute hazards they spawned. This year, the Council on Strategic Risks has been busier than ever in our mission to anticipate and develop solutions for these challenges, and we end the year reflecting on our work to drive historical progress on these issues in addition to the fast pace of change that will require us to work even harder.
In the years ahead, it will be crucial to continue making progress in addressing the risks at the heart of CSR's mission—those that could affect the security and stability of every nation and person on earth. We know we're not alone in feeling that this is a time to work to even more deeply understand what the future may hold, and to envision better pathways and strategize even bolder plans together.
As many of you know well, CSR leverages our analysis and networks to generate policy ideas and drive them into action. CSR recently hosted its first-ever annual symposium on December 10th, Resilience in the Face of Global Risks. At a historical venue in Washington, DC, over 100 leaders and experts in their fields heard from trailblazers on the CSR staff and Board of Directors, got hands-on with visioning future scenarios, and connecting to new resources. With deep appreciation for the skilled and tireless CSR staff, the symposium proved to be a great moment to reflect on CSR's core activities:
One such pillar of our work is our leading-edge research. In 2024, we explored the state of climate security worldwide, broke ground on the evolving problem of food security, tracked biodefense policy progress and budgets, found key areas for future-proofing biomanufacturing, continued to set the pace for understanding ecological security topics, and forwarded pragmatic, practicable recommendations for the next administration's nuclear posture and building a future for American nuclear energy.
Community-building and mentorship form a second pillar of CSR's approach to driving change. A core part of our programming is our bright and effervescent fellowship programs across all our portfolios. In all, CSR welcomed 45 amazing fellows this year in nuclear security, biosecurity, climate security, and ecological security, and hosted many in-person convenings around the world to facilitate access, build connections, and conduct groundbreaking scenario exercises.
In 2025, we plan to accelerate on all these fronts, and continue to lead the way on finding actionable solutions for the world's most pressing risks.
Before 2024 ends, please consider empowering the work of CSR with a financial gift. As you may know, general support funding is especially impactful in enabling our agility to respond to world events and CSR's institutional growth.
To make a contribution online, or for information on arranging a directed donation, please visit our updated page at https://councilonstrategicrisks.org/donate/
To increase your own connectivity with CSR experts, you may also consider joining CSR's newly launched Membership, which offers exclusive access and resources, and helps support our org all year round.
Thank you very much for your consideration and your support. The challenges ahead may be formidable, but it is a very good time to be the people working to find and effect smart solutions.
With hope,
Christine and Sherri
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Christine Parthemore
Chief Executive Officer, The Council on Strategic Risks
Director, Janne E. Nolan Center on Strategic Weapons
Sherri Goodman
Founding Chair of the Board, The Council on Strategic Risks
Secretary General, International Military Council on Climate & Security
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