A BETTER WORLD IS POSSIBLE

By Jose Maria Figueres and - - Reprint | | Print |

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GENEVA, Jan 1 2004 (IPS) - In today\’s world, security and prosperity have become two sides of the same coin, writes Jose Maria Figueres, co-CEO of the World Economic Forum and former president of Costa Rica. In this article, Figueres writes that we all deserve to live and work in a secure environment. And technology has advanced to the point were if we set our minds – and hearts – to the task of effectively combating poverty, we can succeed in improving the living conditions of millions. It will of course take a determined effort by all of us to make this possible, which is why at the World Economic Forum we chose \’\’Partnering for Security and Prosperity\’\’ as the theme for our Annual Meeting 2004. I would hope we could all agree on the need for action to address the underlying causes of our problems, and this is where partnerships come in. The World Social Summit taking place in India has come a long way from its first session in Porto Alegre, Brazil, in 2000. From constituting an opposition to the present wave of development, it has moved to proclaiming that \’\’another world is possible\’\’. We salute this transition, and welcome even more interaction with Porto Alegre.

In today’s world, security and prosperity have become two sides of the same coin. We all deserve to live and work in a secure environment. And technology has advanced to the point were if we set our minds – and hearts – to the task of effectively combating poverty, we can succeed in improving the living conditions of millions. It will of course take a determined effort by all of us to make this possible, which is why at the World Economic Forum we chose ”Partnering for Security and Prosperity” as the theme for our Annual Meeting 2004.

Up in the Swiss mountains of Davos, global leaders representing different sectors of society will gather at our Annual Meeting to discuss, debate, and share their views on how to facilitate actions that address the imperative outlined by our theme.

Present security concerns begin with our individual safety and extend all the way to the geopolitical issues that have become so much a part of our daily lives. While some may argue that security is a precondition for prosperity, we can claim that it is in fact the lack of prosperity that causes insecurity.

On the other hand prosperity is much more than just economic growth. It goes beyond this condition to establish the basic environment necessary for people to live with dignity.

We can readily debate the wider definitions of security and prosperity, as well as other global challenges. Discussions and debates are valuable. When well structured, they help broaden understanding of issues. But I would hope we could all agree on the need for action to address the underlying causes of our problems, and this is where partnerships come in. One quick glance around our communities is sufficient to demonstrate that society is organising itself in different and innovative ways to address the challenges at hand. From social entrepreneurs to good examples of corporate social responsibility, individuals and organisations are getting deeply involved in development issues. And while we may not yet clearly recognise the shape of the emerging societal coalitions, we can be sure that they are not merely a continuation of the past. Development after all, is too important to be left in the hands of governments alone.

Partnerships will translate words into actions. At the Forum, we have created a Global Institute for Partnership and Governance to oversee the different initiatives in which the member corporations of the Forum have engaged. From the E-education Programme in Jordan to the Global Health Initiative fighting AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, from the Green House Gas Register to the Disaster Relief Network (present in Iran), more and more companies are taking the initiative to address in the economic, social, and environmental problems that adversely affect our communities.

There are other ways of increasing action in a world that needs it so much. The World Social Summit taking place in India has come a long way from its first session in Porto Alegre, Brazil, in 2000. From constituting an opposition to the present wave of development, they have moved to proclaiming that ”another world is possible”. We salute this transition, and welcome even more interaction with Porto Alegre. In every one of our initiatives mentioned above, we could amplify our results by enlarging the partnerships working on them. Many of the participants in Porto Alegre have good intentions, and our initiatives can provide them with an opportunity for action.

From India to Taiwan and from the United States to Indonesia, more than half the global population will participate in elections this year. It is certainly a tremendous indication of the strengthening of democracy. From social entrepreneurs to global corporations and from Davos to Porto Alegre (in India), there is equal room for partnerships that will create prosperity. Yes, a better world is possible! (END/COPYRIGHT IPS)