The World Economic Forum will use the presence of so many global leaders at the Annual Meeting in Davos to assist Haiti in building a better future out of today’s devastation. The Annual Meeting programme will highlight the work being done to provide relief. However, we believe we can and must do more.
In Davos, a worldwide effort to integrate business into the reconstruction and rebuilding of Haiti will be launched by the Forum in collaboration with the Clinton Global Initiative and the United Nations. The initiative will be introduced at a special plenary session with President Bill Clinton, UN Special Envoy for Haiti, and Professor Klaus Schwab.
Beyond today’s crisis, Haiti’s future will depend on economic security, jobs, growth and confidence in the future. Haiti has potential in agriculture, textiles, tourism, infrastructure and other sectors. The Rebuilding Haiti Initiative will leverage the power of the private sector, working in partnership with the public sector and civil society, to help Haiti realize this untapped potential – a direct example of corporate global citizenship.
We will use insights from our Members and Partners to identify actionable ways in which different sectors can assist in Haiti’s reconstruction. We will also engage our communities of Social Entrepreneurs and Young Global Leaders for their ideas on rebuilding Haiti.
The World Economic Forum and the Clinton Global Initiative believe that this present crisis challenges us all to work with the people of Haiti to help them build a better future, not just through immediate aid, but also through future economic growth.
The decision by The World Economic Forum to use the presence of global leaders in Davos to evaluate how Haiti can receive effective relief aid is more than only a good-will-declaration. It is a sign to other developing nations as well to get back on the agenda of Social Entrepreneurs and NGO's and so there will be hope for Dafur and the starving population in Africa.
Posted by: Hartmut Rast | January 21, 2010 at 10:23