On April 2, 2009, world leaders from the G20 countries gathered in London to continue a conversation they started in November 2008 in Washington, D.C. The G20 is a collection of some of the most powerful industrial countries, as well as some of the leading emerging economies such as China, Brazil and South Africa. They met against a backdrop of the worst global economic crisis in half a century. Clearly critical issues needed to be addressed in terms of how the financial crisis is affecting citizens at home — through falling housing values, rising unemployment, and diminishing incomes. Learn more about the G20 Summit by reading our G20 Hot Topic.