The University of Denver’s new gift of $7.45 million from philanthropist Frederick S. Pardee will be used for the advancement of the university’s International Futures program at GSIS.

The money will fund the creation of the Frederick S. Pardee Center for the International Futures program to expand its work.

The development of the center will allow the International Futures program to become a more prominent organization with increased efficiency, said Chancellor Robert Coombe in announcing the gift.

“This program is great for the university and great for all of us,” said Coombe. “This work is very important and the gift is one of great significance.”

GSIS Professor Barry Hughes developed the International Futures program, which forecasts global changes and identifies major global trends.

Hughes developed the system years ago primarily as a tool for teaching.

As the popularity of the program grew it began to be used by government agencies such as the U.S. National Intelligence Council.

Hughes said he felt the program should be accessible and free to the general public, which led him to make it available on the Internet.

“The financial gift will allow us to produce a series of volumes on global issues,” said Hughes.

“We will be able to bring more students and scholars around the world into the project team.”

The International Futures program focuses its research on three sets of issues, including human development, social conditions and environmental sustainability.

Hughes said the financial gift to the program would improve its educational capabilities and help people understand where the major global trends are taking us.

“People will be able to see the opportunities and challenges around major trends,” said Hughes. “We can also explore the kinds of leverage we have as human beings to change those trends.”

Frederick Pardee became both a user and developer of the software.

He worked as an economic analyst for the RAND Corporation, a nonprofit organization that researches and analyzes issues in both the public and private sectors around the world.

He later went on to work as a real estate investor.

In 2003 Pardee donated $10 million to his former company, creating the RAND Graduate School.