But how many people realise that this year’s anniversary also coincides with the final payment of Germany’s reparations to the victors of World War I?

Now we are about to celebrate 50 years of co-operation at the OECD, itself born out of the most sweeping and forward-looking policy initiative for the political and economic development of Europe following World War II. It was the spirit of this initiative which the organisation’s founders such as President John F Kennedy believed the OECD should carry forward for the benefit of the wider global economy.

Far from creating “enemies forever” as some feared, we now have unprecedented political and economic co-operation and integration. Still our work continues.

As we face the present crisis, and as the G20 enters its third year as the new global governance arrangement, the most important lesson to draw from these historical perspectives is not just the unlimited capacity of people to work together, and build a new and better future, but also that it takes great patience and perseverance to get there.

Rolf Alter, OECD


©OECD Observer No 281, October 2010