GLF exists to make available, discreetly and in confidence, the experience of former leaders to today’s national leaders.

It does so through its network of former Presidents, Prime Ministers, senior ministers and other distinguished leaders, drawn together on a not-for-profit basis to give something back to the world.

GLF Members work in small teams, in their personal capacity, offering private and confidential advice to Heads of Government on any issues of concern to them.

The GLF Concept

In an era in which effective governance is critical to the success of developing countries, new governments are bringing renewed hope to their peoples. In many countries, especially those most affected by recent internal revolt, new forces are coming out of the political wilderness with no experience of government or of working within an open society with free markets and democratic institutions. National leaders today face awesome challenges, expectations that can often not be fulfilled and a deluge of advice from international organizations, consultants and special interest groups.

Unlike the chairman and chief executives of companies who can turn for discreet advice to some of the experienced non-executive directors on their Boards, political leaders can often feel isolated, lacking the advice of an objective civil service and unable to trust colleagues, friends and even family. Without good advice they are unable to take the initiatives needed to develop their countries peacefully.

This is where GLF can help.

Faced with complex political challenges, current political leaders can benefit from the frank and private counsel of former leaders from other societies who have resolved comparable challenges in the course of their former responsibilities.

GLF comes with no agenda of its own, or of any other government or organization. It offers a leader impartial advice, given directly by former Heads of Government drawing on their own personal experience of adapting to change while holding high office. GLF’s involvement can be general, on broad issues of governance, or it can be focussed on specific questions where a leader might welcome private advice – ranging, for example, from the working relationship between the Executive and Parliament, to advancing specific goals in infrastructure development, education, tourism or other priorities.

GLF is not-for-profit; its Members have a wide range of experience yet are no longer candidates for office; they have no interest of their own, beyond being of help to current leaders facing challenges they themselves once faced. The advice given is private – GLF believes that credit for change should go to the leaders who take the tough decisions.

This is what makes GLF unique - advice is given strictly confidentially, with no publicity. This bypasses protocol, ensures privacy, facilitates the establishment of a relationship of trust, and ensures that if a leader is helped to take a successful initiative he can take all the credit for it, strengthening and reinforcing his credibility.

In this way GLF acts as a personal, peer-to-peer, private advisory service – a trusted confidant - for Heads of Government.

GLF is actively involved in relationships of this kind with leaders of government in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and elsewhere.