Davos: an opportunity for exchange and collaboration

World leaders and businessmen gather in the Swiss mountain resort of Davos this week for the annual World Economic Forum.

From Wednesday 23rd to Sunday 27th , some 50 heads of State and over 1500 businessmen come together to discuss and to find better ways to tackle the global financial crisis and other threats to today’s world such as climate change and gender inequality.

Linda Bordoni spoke to Michele Petochi, Director for Academic Networks at the World Economic Forum who explains that the forum is very far reaching…

Listen to the interview…

Petochi says that because of its nature, the forum is often described in economic terms, but he stresses “we really include and address topics from all perspectives: from a social standpoint, from a specific community standpoint – for example gender balance – the role of NGOs – the role of arts in society, etc. All the factors that concur to development as a whole”.

In fact – he says – if you look at the Davos programme, you will see an interesting mix of sessions that are very broad and about mindset, and sessions that are more specific about drivers of development. The role of science for example: what kind of research or what applications are having the biggest impact on health or on sustainability?

Petochi also points out that “we also have a lot of discussions on how industries can be more responsible in a variety of sectors”, such as mining, climate change, etc. - in the search for equality.

It is well documemted that the WEF provides reason for dissent. Activists accuse participants of protecting banks and multinational companies and of promoting financial speculation – however Petochi says that these opinions have an impact on proceedings as they filter through to the sessions in two ways: “One through the sessions and conversations that make up the forum, but more importantly through the people that we involve in our activities who are not only business leaders, but representatives of all sectors”.

What is powerful and interesting of the WEF – he says - is that it is a global neutral platform where vital questions can be addressed in a safe and challenging environment.

Petochi says that the “Open Forum” for example provides a situation in which to address topics such as job creation, inequality, the role of NGOs. And what is significant is that “the more ethical part is not simply added to questions that are already in place, but the ethical part is very much at the core of the mission of the Forum”.

The event’s by-line is that “The Forum is committed to improving the state of the world”. Nobody can deny that this year, in particular, talks begin with a difficult premise due to the global financial crisis.

Petochi says that the hope of the WEF organizers for the meeting is that the leaders convened – through mutual accountability with other leaders with whom they enter into discussion - leave Davos with more ideas on how to address the problems they have to face at home.

In addition – he says - the Forum provides an opportunity to address specific questions in an informal and challenging setting. It is an opportunity for leaders to pause for a few days, and find ways to better solve the problems they are supposed to address, either as leaders or collectively.

“What I believe is that there is incredible value for the world to have a space where dialogue on the most challenging problems continues to take place. There is an incredible wealth of interaction and potential collaboration that can emerge from spaces like the one at Davos”.

Petochi explains that the WEF is a neutral platform – not a multi-lateral organization - thus “we do not make decisions on the problems that are discussed”, but “we like to think that a lot of the ideas and interaction that takes place at Davos gets translated into decisions, into sharing information with decision makers in countries and organizations when they go home”.

So much of the impact of the forum – he concludes - is not necessarily visible, but it is significant when leaders go home” as some may want to change their decisions or at least the way in which they look at problems”.