The 2009 Emerging Issues Forum began Monday with several speakers from across the globe speaking out on the issues facing the state of North Carolina and the United States in the midst of a global crisis.

The forum, titled “Changing Landscapes: Building the Good Growth State?,” focused on the needs of the United States’ infrastructure systems as Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd began Monday’s portion of the seminars as Dodd emphasized finding more efficient ways to use public and private capital to fund infrastructure projects.

Former mayor of London Ken Livingstone also spoke on infrastructure changes necessary in the changing economic climate. Livingstone spoke from experience as London has been the only city in the world to manage a 5 percent shift from car usage to public transport.

Gov. Bev Perdue also delivered an address titled “A New Vision for North Carolina” outlining the challenges that face the state in a quickly globalizing world and what changes N.C. needs to make in order to continue to be on the cutting edge of development.

The sold out forum continues today and live audio streaming is available from the Institute for Emerging Issues website.

Questions for the speakers can also be emailed in to [email protected].

SOURCE: ncsu.edu/iei