Global Economies

The paved rectangular square and the cobblestone roads leading up to the magnificent ecclesiastical buildings are traced back to 1505, a building period where prosperous merchants laid the foundations of Bardejov's gothic and renaissance architecture. The exceptional Jewish Quarter, with its remarkable features such as a fantastic 18th Century synagogue helped earn the town the European Gold Medal Prize for Historic Preservation. Amazingly, those same welcoming cobblestone roads that have led thousands of visitors to the beautiful spa town of Bardejov over the centuries had also managed to survive the horrors of the 100 Years War, the Napoleonic Wars, Hitler's invasion and Stalin's occupation.

Over time, the EastWest Institute has earned the distinctive designation, "the Huns in reverse," moving West to East, dispensing freedom and prosperity wherever possible. In June 1991, the Institute held its 10th Annual Conference in Bardejov, where government leaders and representatives of international organizations met to discuss how the West might more effectively design and implement assistance programs to the new democracies of Eastern and Central Europe. In what was essentially billed as Eastern Europe's economic "coming out" party, the conference attracted a host of international dignitaries, including U.S. Vice President Dan Quayle, President Vaclav Havel of Czechoslovakia, President Arpad Goncz of Hungary and Prime Minister Jan Krzysztof Bielecki of Poland.

The Mayor of Bardejov, Lubomir Skalos, simultaneously overjoyed and overwhelmed at the international spectacle in his hometown undoubtedly had his hands full dealing with a short supply of housing, an overwhelming security presence and the delicate structural design of the city's historic buildings. Hundreds of students pitched in as an all-volunteer work force. The conference was a remarkable triumph. U.S. dignitaries spoke of opening their markets to Czechoslovak exports and local participants discussed much-needed plans for greater regional cooperation in improving the economy and managing industrial trade barriers and tariffs.

One distressing snag came with the arrival of U.S. Vice President Dan Quayle's Executive Office advance team, who apparently told the mayor that the cobblestone streets of Bardejov were going to be unearthed. Rumor had it that no one on the Executive advance team wanted to be responsible for photographs of the U.S. dignitary tripping over the grooves between the stones. Mayor Skalos, astonished and incredulous, balked. The Executive Office advance team quite adamantly insisted that this was a mandatory precaution. The mayor noted that these stones had survived Nazi and Soviet tanks and would not be unearthed for a Vice President no matter how friendly or powerful the country he represented. In the end, true to the style of EWI, there was a compromise, and a wooden ramp was built over the top of the ancient road. Bardejov's beautiful cobblestone streets thus remain untouched for all to see.

“The first evening in Prague, John Mroz, President and co-founder of the EastWest Institute, was the opening speaker,” Finlay recalls. “John gave an informative, stimulating and comprehensive overview of current political and economic developments in the region. Over the years he gave consistently excellent presentations on many of the group’s annual trips.”

Indeed, according to Finlay, “one of the continuously valuable aspects of being involved with EWI is the unique perspective on geopolitical developments provided by Mroz and the institute’s staff and fellows.” He adds: “Given the contagion effect in emerging markets, in-depth understanding of local social, political and economic conditions provides a significant edge at times of high volatility to investors.”

Finlay subsequently joined the board, and in 2008 was elected Co-Chairman with George Russell, becoming Chairman in 2009. “I was extremely honored to succeed George Russell,” says Finlay. Currently he and Ross Perot, Jr. are Co-Chairmen.

EWI has been fortunate to have such a seasoned leader. Following sale of the international investment firm Clay Finlay Inc that he co-founded in 1982 and his decision to step down from a leadership position, Finlay has focused on “a portfolio of enthusiasms.” These include investment directorships across a range of investment disciplines as well as membership of several investment committees, including those of Oxford University and the British Museum, where he is also a Trustee. His not-for profit directorships outside the field of international affairs focus on education and the arts.

Despite his many commitments, Finlay is an enthusiastic participant in EWI activities, taking a leading role in high-level meetings in China, Russia, the Middle East and Europe. He has taken a particular interest in EWI’s work on sub-sea cable security, attending the initial seminar in Dubai and several subsequent C40 meetings

In 2010, Finlay chaired a conference for EWI at the European Parliament on Strengthening the Role of Afghan Women Parliamentarians.  He was impressed by the clear outcome of the conference. “Everyone who attended left for home with the urgent mission of making sure that their local parliamentarians were aware of the risks these exceptional women face in the event of serious domestic reconciliation negotiations.”

In Finlay’s view, one of the EWI’s distinguishing attributes is the senior staff’s flexibility and willingness to take on new security challenges, with cybersecurity  serving as the most recent example.  Reflecting on what differentiates EWI from other organizations, Finlay concludes, “This is not an institute that exists to publish, it exists to make a difference.”

At EWI, we thank Francis Finlay, along with our other generous donors and committed directors for their support, which allows us to make that difference.

 To watch Finlay and others describe his experiences at EWI, we invite you to watch the following video: 

This video also includes commentary from:  Joseph Nye, member of EWI’s Presidents Advisory Group, Professor, Harvard University, and the author of The Future of Power; Lady Barbara Judge, founding EWI Board Member and Chairman, Pension Protection Fund, UK; F. Stephen Larrabee, former EWI Vice President and Director of Studies, Distinguished Chair in European Security, the RAND Corporation; Dr. Claire Gordon, former EWI Staff Member and Teaching Fellow, London School of Economics; Greg Austin, EWI Vice President; Vasil Hudak, former EWI Staff Member and Executive Director, JPMorgan; Stephen Heintz, EWI Board Member and President, Rockefeller Brothers Fund; Peter Castenfelt, EWI Board Member and Chairman, Archipelago Enterprises, Ltd; Dr. Armen Sarkissian, EWI Vice-Chairman and Former Prime Minister of Armenia; and Professor Louise Richardson, EWI Board Member and Principal, University of St. Andrews.