In preparing for the hearing, CIPE surveyed its network of business associations and think tanks in 70 countries to see how the growth of the net bolstered their efforts. He understood very well the power of information. It is said in Slovakia that, 'God created people strong and weak. Only Mr. Colt made them equal'. Both market and democracy require competition between political parties and profit-making firms.
Competition requires an equality of opportunity.
At the end of the 20th century, that opportunity cannot be real without access to information. Located on CIPE's home page is a virtual network of think tanks and business associations which exchange views and techniques to foster economic freedom. One of the most exciting new initiatives in the CIPE portfolio is a joint project with the China Center for Economic Reform to create the new China Economics Network linking together universities and researchers throughout the country to push economic reforms. For China to avoid the fate of other East Asian economies, Sullivan noted, information must become much more freely available and transactions more transparent. Since its inception in 1983, CIPE has funded more than 500 projects in over 70 countries and has conducted business association and management training programs throughout the world.