RCs are permanent research networks and form the intellectual backbone of the International Political Science Association, (IPSA) since its inception in 1949. RC51 – on International Political Economy – was formally established by IPSA’s Executive Committee, in July 2012 , chaired by Lourdes Sola, from the University of São Paulo and Stephane Paquin, from Montreal. It was based on a research program drafted by Lourdes Sola and Laurence Whitehead. While RC51 is global in scope and in the composition of its research network , it focus mainly on large Emerging Market Democracies and second-tier states as critical actors in the processes of international power transitions and in global economic governance.

As the rebalancing of the world economy accelerates, and the impact of the global financial crisis on rising powers unfolds, we find ourselves at a renewal juncture. This is a very special moment in assessing critically the initial research program and more generally in crafting a research agenda for IPE studies.

Moreover the RC51 is now in position to address the question of how best to publicize its research findings: through the organization of its website, in the (linked to IPSA’s ) in the first place; and through the expansion of relevant papers into books. On a practical note, by IPSA’s rules, RCs are committed to submit a minimum number of "closed" panels to be presented at World’ Congresses: the next one will be held in Istanbul, from the 23-28 July 2016.

Those are the issues to be addressed by a select group of scholars invited by the current RC chairs, Lourdes Sola and Laurence Whitehead, in Hamburg, in GIGA’s headquarters , at invitation of its President Amrita Narlikar - who is also member of RC’s board.

At the 3 July 2015 the meeting ends with a public panel discussion "BIG – Brazil, India, and Germany – and the Future of Global Governance: Prospects for Trilateral Cooperation."