An annual autumn message from President David Lane

At Sunnylands, we see what is possible, and say, let’s do this together.

“Sunnylands is not just a beautiful place, but a destination … where the POWER of the place … is an inspiration in and of itself. It’s where thinking, visioning, and the ART of collaboration all meet … simply put, it’s magic in action!”

Ms. British A. Robinson, former President & CEO, Barbara Bush Foundation

In last year’s annual letter, we shared our approach to helping leaders find solutions to global challenges. This year, we want to offer a look at some of the solutions created at Sunnylands over the past twelve months, along with the different convening formats we employed to achieve them. 

We have our “classic” Sunnylands retreats—partnering with leading non-governmental organizations to address major challenges in our areas of strategic focus and bring about meaningful, measurable outcomes.

We also partner with key U.S. governmental institutions “in order to promote world peace and facilitate international agreement,” as specified in the Declaration of Trust that was given to Sunnylands by Ambassadors Walter and Leonore Annenberg. This year, we were proud to host several noteworthy and highly impactful gatherings with U.S. government partners, which we will highlight in this year’s letter.

For reasons of length, we won’t walk you through every high-level discussion we brokered, hosted, or facilitated, or the totality of outcomes achieved. Rather, we will highlight a few representative ones from our three areas of focus: Global Cooperation; Global Health, Food, and Agriculture; and Civic and Democratic Engagement, as well as the results of our partnership with the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania and the National Academy of Sciences.

We hope these vignettes will leave you with a concrete sense that when the right people come together at the right time, solutions to our greatest global challenges are attainable.

Global Cooperation: A Quantum Leap

As noted above, a core element of Sunnylands’ mission is to respond to requests by the U.S. government and to partner on convenings of national and global significance.

In early July, officials from the National Security Council, part of the Executive Office of the President of the United States, presented us with an intimidating yet intriguing challenge: Could Sunnylands host senior diplomats and government scientists from nine nations—Australia, Denmark, Germany, Japan, Finland, France, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States—for intensive discussions on coordinating national quantum science policies? And could we do so in less than a month?

We had heard a lot about quantum computing and the hype surrounding it but were not quite sure of its implications from a policy perspective. Further discussions with the State Department and National Security Council—and our own research—helped us understand it better. In short, quantum computing leverages quantum mechanics to process information at exponentially faster rates than classical computing, and therefore, it holds enormous implications and potential for global technological leadership, economic growth, and military strength.

Our answer was an immediate yes, but with a caveat. Given that summer temperatures can reach upwards of 110 degrees at the Sunnylands estate in Rancho Mirage, California, we would need to find another venue that aligned with Sunnylands’ tradition of hospitality and our convening approach that ensures space for frank discussions. Moving quickly, we chose the Inn at Perry Cabin in St. Michaels, Maryland, a stunning venue in its own right.

Two days of candid, confidential, and intense discussion generated a consensus among the attending nations, namely that a coordinated approach to quantum information science and technology is critical to their security, prosperity, and leadership. The participants committed to work together on quantum’s potential moving forward.

A Win for All Citizens of Our Warming Planet

From November 4 to 7, 2023, Sunnylands was honored to host, at the request of the State Department, climate negotiations between former Secretary of State John Kerry, then the U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, and his counterpart from China, Minister Xie Zhenhua.

While ultimately successful, discussions were, at times, tense and lasted into the late evening hours. But there were many lighter moments between the negotiating teams, as well: friendly games of table tennis, kicking around a soccer ball, restorative walks around the Sunnylands gardens, and taking keepsake photos of the replica of the bench where President Barack Obama met with People’s Republic of China President Xi Jinping in 2013.

At the end of discussions, negotiators agreed to the Sunnylands Statement on Enhancing Cooperation to Address the Climate Crisis. Among other things, this landmark agreement accelerated the phase-out of coal, oil, and gas generation—a measurable and impactful contribution to international efforts to reduce non-CO₂ greenhouse emissions. 

The agreement also set the stage for a December 2 methane summit at the 2023 UN Climate Conference (COP28) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, where Special Envoy Kerry mentioned Sunnylands in his remarks. Ministers from around the world pledged to cut methane emissions by thirty percent while fifty global oil and gas companies committed to shore up leaky methane systems by 2030. Since methane emissions are responsible for about one-third of planetary warming, these outcomes will make a major difference in the fight against climate change.

Months later, in a discussion at the Council on Foreign Relations, Special Envoy Kerry made it clear that the discussions at Sunnylands propelled the progress in Dubai. 

“We could not have reached the Dubai consensus without China and the United States finding common ground … particularly in Sunnylands. We spent four days together negotiating the Sunnylands [Statement]. China … agreed they would accelerate the reduction of emissions in this decade. That is a huge move forward.” 

Secretary John Kerry, U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate

These recent achievements add to our legacy of nonpartisan government partnerships. We have worked with prior administrations of both parties to address key issues, including U.S.-India security cooperation, U.S.-Mexico relations, a U.S.-China leaders dialogue, illegal fishing in the Pacific, China’s role on American campuses, countering extremist narratives in the Middle East, and many more. 

In addition to these convenings with the U.S. government, Sunnylands initiated and hosted a series of dinners and workshops in the area of global cooperation, laying the groundwork for larger convenings that explored tough issues and potential solutions. 

For example, last year, regional dynamics were shifting in such a way that a breakthrough in cooperation was possible among the United States and its two key allies in the Indo-Pacific, Japan and South Korea. Together with the Center for Strategic and International Studies, we hosted a bipartisan, bicameral dinner to check the pulse of the U.S. Congress and government officials on how Sunnylands could accelerate efforts for a stronger trilateral relationship.  

A few weeks later, the Japanese Ambassador in Washington, Koji Tomita, told us he heard about the dinner and was thrilled at the prospect of collaborating with Sunnylands. Since then, we have co-hosted two retreats on the trilateral relationship, one at Sunnylands and one in Tokyo, Japan, and are working on a possible legislative dialogue at Sunnylands next year.  

“Sunnylands has been a meeting place of incomparable importance. The reason is simple: Partners, especially from Asia, deeply respect Sunnylands because they know it’s a place where things happen. Consequently, they are thrilled to receive invitations to meet on the estate. And … after they’ve arrived … they feel even more honored to have been included.”

Mr. Orville Schell, Arthur Ross Director of the Asia Society’s Center on U.S.-China Relations

Global Health & Food Security: Leading the World Away from Lead

On September 22, First Lady Dr. Jill Biden joined U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Samantha Power and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Executive Director Catherine Russell to launch a new, $150 million global initiative to eradicate childhood lead poisoning in low- and middle-income countries, marking the culmination of a virtuoso policymaking effort by U.S. government and philanthropy that had its origins at Sunnylands. 

Lead exposure from sources like paint, spices, makeup, and improper battery recycling kills approximately 1.6 million people each year–more than HIV/AIDS and malaria combined—and experts estimate that half of all children in low- and middle-income countries have elevated levels of lead in their blood. Despite the existence of cost-effective solutions for lead abatement, funding by international donors amounts to a paltry $15 million a year.  

That is why, in March and with two months of lead time to build out a retreat, Sunnylands partnered with USAID to host a select group of leaders, experts, policymakers, and philanthropists—along with USAID Administrator Power and former U.S. President Obama—to discuss how to meaningfully and quickly address this challenge.

Seizing on the momentum from this gathering, USAID and its philanthropic partners raised an impressive $150 million in a matter of weeks, with much of the funding coming from attendees.

Months later, at the 2024 United Nations General Assembly, the First Lady, USAID, UNICEF, Open Philanthropy, and others stood side-by-side to launch the Partnership for a Lead-Free Future, the first-ever global public-private partnership, comprised of more than fifty countries and organizations, to end lead poisoning in low- and middle-income countries. The Partnership’s founding partners deserve praise for their tireless efforts to launch this important new initiative and we are proud to have contributed to its inception. 

The success of the new lead-free initiative exemplifies how big achievements often grow out of smaller, focused discussions where participants can explore solutions in a confidential yet relaxed setting. This approach has helped us forge progress on other issues as well, drawing outcomes from workshops and private dinners. 

For instance, in April, Sunnylands joined with Champions 12.3—a coalition of governments, businesses, international organizations, and others dedicated to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal Target 12.3 by halving global food waste by 2030—to co-convene a workshop on creating a new, private sector-led food loss and waste reduction initiative. There, participants ultimately identified seven countries of initial focus for the initiative. To maintain momentum, in September, we hosted a follow-on breakfast in Kigali, Rwanda, for ministers and senior officials from these countries, which led to four countries committing to join the initiative, with others soon to follow. We expect these efforts will significantly reduce food loss and waste in these countries and be a model for others.

Similarly, in December 2023, at the COP28 meetings in Dubai, we brought together CEOs, financial executives, and policymakers to discuss roadblocks to increasing private investment in food and climate challenges. Over the subsequent months, Sunnylands hosted the group in Washington, D.C., and New York, with several action plans identified to unlock private investment in global agrifood systems. 

“We built bridges across sectors, organizations and individuals. We had diverse perspectives and experiences which made for a robust, candid set of discussions … The entire experience at Sunnylands was extraordinary.” 

Ms. Michelle Grogg, Executive Director, The Cargill Foundation; participant in a food security retreat in partnership with the Munich Security Conference

Civic & Democratic Engagement: Strengthening our Republic

Amid political division and societal strain, Sunnylands remains committed to strengthening the civic health of communities and institutions throughout the United States. In partnership with a diverse group of organizations and individuals focused on achieving real-world impact, we are addressing important issues like literacy, universal civic learning, and access to reliable local news and economic opportunity.  

Over the past two years, we have had the privilege of co-hosting two retreats with More Perfect, a broad coalition of more than one hundred partner organizations—including thirty-four presidential centers—working to renew democracy in the United States as we near its 250th anniversary.  

In 2022, Sunnylands and More Perfect convened a group of policymakers and experts from across the ideological spectrum to develop and advance five foundational democracy goals that, if achieved, would revitalize U.S. democracy across the board. The five goals focus on civic learning, national service and volunteering, bridging divides, trusted elections, and access to trusted news and information. 

With the goals clearly identified and agreed to, it was time to focus on action.

In January, we joined More Perfect once again in welcoming to Sunnylands leaders from across major sectors of society, including military and veterans, the arts, and business, to identify “points of entry” for institutions and Americans to help advance the five democracy goals and build a more perfect union.

Thanks in large part to our convenings at Sunnylands, More Perfect is now partnering with major initiatives in the democracy space like the new Trust for Civic Life and the Press Forward initiative to reinvigorate local news—both outcomes of previous Sunnylands retreats. And, thanks to our most recent retreat, More Perfect now partners with a network of sixty community foundations to support the advancement of these goals in local communities.  

“We have experienced what I call the “Sunnylands effect”—translating big ideas into action for the public good. Everyone leaves with a sense of shared commitment to advance a cause, and inspired by beauty and hospitality that are unrivaled in America.” 

Mr. John Bridgeland, Co-Chair & CEO, More Perfect; Executive Chairman, Office of American Possibilities; Former Director, White House Domestic Policy Council 

At a salon discussion at my home last year, British Robinson, then president of the Barbara Bush Foundation (with whom we held a retreat in 2022), spoke about the low literacy rates of adults in the United States and how to solve this challenge. She reported the shocking statistic that 130 million adults, representing 54 percent of adults between the ages of 16 and 74, lack proficiency in literacy, essentially reading below a sixth-grade level. Everyone in that room—representing NGOs, public health systems, think tanks, state and federal government—was galvanized to act. 

Learned Societies: Ensuring that AI Serves Society

Our Declaration of Trust dictates that Sunnylands be made available to “learned societies” to advance the public good. But what does this mean, in practice?  

Over the last decade, alongside Dr. Kathleen Hall Jamieson and the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania, Sunnylands has hosted key retreats in partnership with the National Academy of Sciences, including one in February focused on creating A Framework for Addressing Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Society.  

The collective human intelligence participating in this retreat was off the charts. Participants included Nobel laureates Dr. Saul Perlmutter, Dr. Harold Varmus, and Dr. David Baltimore (by Zoom); one of the internet’s “founding fathers” Dr. Vint Cerf; the president of the National Academy of Sciences Dr. Marcia McNutt; Microsoft’s Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Eric Horvitz; and members of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.  

Participants expected the retreat to establish a framework for scientists conducting AI-based research in the United States. However, frank conversation led them to conclude that the stunning pace of AI development would render such guardrails obsolete even before they could be implemented. In response, Dr. McNutt and Dr. Jamieson pivoted the agenda to identify ways to minimize the threats and manage the risks that generative AI poses to the norms and values of science.

Drawing from the convening and subsequent dialogues, retreat participants recommended five principles of human accountability and responsibility to govern AI used in science, which were published in the May 2024 issue of The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences: 

• transparent disclosure and attribution
• verification of AI-generated content and analysis
• documentation of AI-generated data
• a focus on ethics and equity
• continuous monitoring, oversight, and public engagement

What is Next for Sunnylands?

With so much uncertainty about what the next twelve months will bring—not least of all, who will occupy the White House in January—Sunnylands remains steadfast in bringing together the groundbreakers and the innovators, the thinkers and the doers who are creating a better future.  

Over the next few months, we will be hosting and facilitating convenings that will explore how local elected officials in the United States across the political spectrum are addressing and solving challenges like housing and creating economic opportunity, and how the United States can create more inclusive and dynamic opportunities for entrepreneurship.  

We will also be bringing together leaders and experts on national security and AI, and continue our partnership with the National Academy of Sciences by looking at the implications of AI for the scientific community. We have many additional retreats and workshops under development, as well, and we look forward to sharing their impactful outcomes in the months ahead.  

A recent retreat participant said it best that “Sunnylands is the only organization that I am aware of with the nonprofit, non-partisan mission, and trusted reputation that can convene those with power and influence to seriously begin to address the challenges we face.” At Sunnylands, we are proud that retreat participants can escape from the noise, honor one another’s humanity and values, and create lasting results for a better future.  

Thank you for reading, and I hope to be lucky enough to cross paths with you in the coming year.