Patrick Gaspard is the CEO of the Center for American Progress Action Fund, one of the USA’s leading public policy think tanks. A former US ambassador to South Africa (2013 to 2016), he has been a leader in government, philanthropy, labour, and global diplomacy, with an insistent focus on equity. See his bio here.

Ann Bernstein, CDE’s executive director was in conversation with Patrick Gaspard. The discussion was focused on America and the election on 5 November 2024.

For nearly 30 years, CDE has influenced policy in South Africa’s democracy. We have established ourselves as a unique policy think tank and prominent public ‘voice’ promoting enterprise and development in South Africa and emerging markets. We have built a wide network throughout the country and with leading global experts and think tanks, especially in democratic developing countries.

CDE’s flagship project, AGENDA 2024: Priorities for a new government, based on extensive policy work and collaboration with experts, business leaders, former public servants and academics, sets out to answer what is by far the most important question facing South Africa: What can a new government do to get the country back on track after 15 years of stagnation and decline? See related media statements here, the op-eds here and the first reports in the ACTION series, here.