George C. Marshall (left) at Harvard University, 5 June 1947

This year, the OECD joins the United States Government in commemorating the 60th anniversary of the speech given by George C. Marshall, U.S. Secretary of State, at Harvard University on 5 June 1947. This speech initiated the post-war European Aid Program, commonly known as the Marshall Plan.

The forerunner of the OECD was the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation (OEEC), which was formed to administer American and Canadian aid under the Marshall Plan for reconstruction of Europe after World War II. Since it took over from the OEEC in 1961, the OECD's vocation has been to build strong economies in its member countries, improve efficiency, hone market systems, expand free trade and contribute to development in industrialised as well as developing countries.

On the occasion of this 60th anniversary, the OECD, the U.S. Embassy in Paris and George Washington University have organised a symposium, "Lessons Learned Applicable to the 21st Century", on 12-13 June 2007 at the Hotel Talleyrand in Paris.  Information about the outcomes of this symposium will be posted on this website.