Bilderberg Group Organizational Structure
According to the American Friends of Bilderberg, the 2008 agenda dealt mainly with a nuclear free world, cyber terrorism, Africa, Russia, finance, protectionism, US-EU relations, Afghanistan and Pakistan, Islam and Iran
The Bilderberg Group, Bilderberg conference, or Bilderberg Club is an annual, unofficial, invitation-only conference of approximately 140 guests, most of whom are people of influence in the fields of politics, banking, business, the military and news media. The names of attendees and the agenda for meetings made available on their website.
Critics of Bilderberg conspiracy theories counter that it is nothing more than a policy discussion forum and social club, which only serves as a means to brainstorm, reach consensus, and create social cohesion within the power elite of Western European and North American nations, to better promote Atlanticism.
Meetings organized by a steering committee with two members from each of approximately 18 nations. Official posts, in addition to a chairperson, include an Honorary Secretary General. There is no such category in the group's rules as a member of the group. The only category that exists is member of the Steering Committee. In addition to the committee, there also exists a separate advisory group, though membership overlaps.
Dutch economist Ernst van der Beugel became permanent secretary in 1960, upon Retinger's death. Prince Bernhard continued to serve as the meeting's chairperson until 1976, the year of his involvement in the Lockheed affair. The position of Honorary American Secretary General has been held successively by Joseph E. Johnson of the Carnegie Endowment, William Bundy of Princeton, Theodore L. Eliot, Jr., former U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan, and Casimir A. Yost of Georgetown's Institute for the Study of Diplomacy.
A 2008 press release from the 'American Friends of Bilderberg' stated, Bilderberg's only activity is its annual Conference. At the meetings, no resolutions are proposed, no votes taken, and no policy statements issued and noted that the names of attendees were available to the press. The Bilderberg group's unofficial headquarters is the University of Leiden in the Netherlands.
According to the 'American Friends of Bilderberg', the 2008 agenda dealt mainly with a nuclear free world, cyber terrorism, Africa, Russia, finance, protectionism, US-EU relations, Afghanistan and Pakistan, Islam and Iran.
Chairmen of the Steering Committee
- Prince Bernhard of Lippe-Biesterfeld (1954–1975)
- Walter Scheel (1975–1977)
- Alec Douglas-Home (1977–1980)
- Eric Roll (1986–1989)
- Peter Carington, 6th Baron Carrington (1990–1998)
- Étienne Davignon (since 1998)
