Davos Open Forum 2003 - Can Globalization Be Ethical?

http://www.weforum.org/ 26.01.2003
Open Forum: Can Globalization Be Ethical?
In an age of globalization, economies are under pressure to deliver benefits to all and include social and environmental standards as well in their decisions. In addition, the public has reshaped its expectations on the role that governments, global corporations and society should play.
The agenda points are:
1) Who sets the moral standards for society today?
2) Are economic interests compatible with ethical responsibilities?
3) What could international companies and religion do to change the effect of globalization from exclusion of the poor to a reduction of poverty and environmental damage?
A session co-organized with the Federation of Swiss Protestant Churches
John Elkington, Founder and Chief Entrepreneur, SustainAbility, United Kingdom
Musimbi Kanyoro, Secretary-General, World Young Women's Christian Association, Switzerland
Peter Lorange, President, IMD International, Switzerland
Christoph Stückelberger
Daniel Vasella, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Novartis, Switzerland
Thomas Wipf, President of the Council, Federation of Swiss Protestant Churches, Switzerland
Moderated by
Stephan Klapproth, Anchor, Ten O'Clock News, Swiss Television SF DRS, Switzerland

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Davos
• Open
• Forum
• 2003
• World
• Economic
• WEF
• Elkington
• Kanyoro
• Lorange
• Stückelberger
• Vasella
• Wipf
• Klapproth

[SchierForce]

great spirits have always faced violent opposition from mediocre minds.

[cmcclurkin]

The world economy will be radically transformed if the Doha Round is completed. This corporate agenda is not just simply about ending protectionism but rather limiting governments' sovereignty and citizens rights. This 2nd WTO Agreement, if approved by the US Congress, will constitute a permanent global constitution. Regardless of the rhetoric about lifting millions from poverty- the Doha Round will deindustrialize the third world and degrade the rights and status of American workers forever.

[carmillaburana]

Weren't you all shocked by the swiss businessman earning millions and stating "It's not about how much you make, it's what you do with the money" ? Which basically means that we are supposed to trust individuals, selfish, capitalist individuals, to have a conscience and give some of their money away to help fighting inequalities they largely contribute in creating in the first place by applying unethical rules. We are back to justice relying on charity, and this is no better than feodalism.

[thezenlunatics]

Government should always be as small, and local as possible. One Government, can only effectivly serve a small number of people. That is why the Early fathers of America wanted the main power to remain with the states. Not with the federal.

[gelandres]

life is what we humans make it...we must spend less time being mindless consumers (Xmas shopping with money we don't have) and more time being citizens (taking time out of every week to discuss issues with your neighbors), then it can be changed..democracy starts with we the people..

[kazouninos]

Saying such a think is over simplistic. Globalization did exist on the 19th and 20th century, the dif now is that we have globalization of capital. Look at asian tigers and tell me how they could have their current quality of life and economic achievements without globalization

[rlopez0470]

Can't agree more with you. You nailed it with few words.

[Hockeyfan22168]

To answer the agenda points:

1) The people do, for better or worse.

2) In a free, capitalist society, yes. Man is best on his own, checked by other men. He always suffers under utopian planning.

3) Promote the liberty of all to pursue their own interests, and render globalization to a mere footnote to aid those ends.

[dbstube]

SLAVEforLISA: I call the 'disconnect' (ie:employee situations, labor issues etc.) and difference in compensation between CEO'S, management and employees 'The Great 'Ha! Ha!' because if there were a scripted dialogue between those at the top getting mega compensation while those below are compensated a scraping pittance there would be a 'Ha! Ha! from the 'haves' to the 'have nots' who know too well that Unions are relatively broken.

[jurbinsky]

Globalization is a mechanism introduced by developed countries to exploit poor countries. Period. IMF invented the concept. "We will help you, if you allow us to wreck your economy to our advantage".