Open Forum

Open Forum 2010

During the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum, the Federation of Swiss Protestant Churches and the Forum will co-organize discussions for the general public. These events will be held in conjunction with the Forum’s Annual Meeting 2010. The Open Forum was first organized in 2003. It offers a possibility for an open debate on globalization and its consequences. In past years, the following overall topics were discussed:

• Globalization or Deglobalization for the benefit of the poorest?
• When is the economy ethical?
• Respecting, crossing and shifting boundaries

This year, the sessions of the Open Forum will once again help participants share their opinion on global issues, by addressing the topics outlined below.

As in past years, the sessions will take place in the main hall of the Swiss Alpine Middle School on Guggerbachstrasse 3, in Davos. The debates will be in German and English with simultaneous translation into both languages. The Open Forum sessions are open to the public, no registration is required and people can get in on a first come first serve basis.

How can I attend?
Entry is free of charge, but limited to 300 people. At the entrance each person will receive a ticket that is valid for that session only. It will not be possible to register for these sessions, nor to reserve entry tickets in advance. The Auditorium (Schweizerische Alpinen Mittelschule secondary school on Guggerbachstrasse 3 in Davos) will open 30mns before the start of each discussion. Tickets are limited to one per person and participants may not collect tickets on behalf of a group.

Question about the project?
openforum@weforum.org

Previous Open Forum editions
2008 | 2009

Switzerland: Misfit or Model?

Thursday, 28 January 2010, 12.30-14.00

 

Switzerland has been criticized lately: On the one hand, Switzerland's direct democracy is a showpiece; on the other hand, it unleashes worldwide consternation. International pressures on bank secrecy lead to concessions in the exchange of fiscal information. The accusation of cherry-picking comes up regularly. 

Does Switzerland have to fear for its reputation and economy?

Did Switzerland react accordingly to the international pressure on tax issues?

What consequences will this have on Swiss diplomacy and its role as a mediator in international conflicts?

Pascale Bruderer-Wyss, President of the National Council of Switzerland; Young Global Leader Peter Maurer, Permanent Representative of Switzerland to the United Nations, New York Haig Dr Simonian, Correspondent, Financial Times, Switzerland Ulrich Thielemann, Vice-Director, Business Ethics, University of St Gallen, Switzerland Moderated by Stephan Klapproth, Anchor, Ten O'Clock News, Swiss Television SF DRS, Switzerland

After the Financial Crisis: Consequences and Lessons Learned

Thursday, 28 January 2010, 19.00 - 20.30

 

The financial crisis has caused an economic crisis around the world. Drastic state measures have prevented the collapse of the economic system: governments have established rescue funds for failing banks or nationalized banks for relaunching economic growth. At the same time, central banks have intervened with important injections of liquidity and have lowered interest rates.

 

• What were the causes of the financial crisis?

• In the future, how can such crises be prevented?

• What effect will state measures have in the long term?

• What will a global adjustment of the financial system look like? Who should develop and apply the rules?

Ziya Akkurt, Chief Executive Officer and Board Member, Akbank TAS, Turkey Christine Lagarde, Minister of Economy, Industry and Employment of France; Member of the Foundation Board of the World Economic Forum Patrick Odier, Chairman, Swiss Bankers Association, Switzerland Nikolaus Schneider, Vice-Chairperson of the Council, Evangelical Church in Germany, Germany Joseph E. Stiglitz, Professor, Columbia University, USA Moderated by Stephan Klapproth, Anchor, Ten O'Clock News, Swiss Television SF DRS, Switzerland

Climate Change: Financing Urgent Adaptation

Friday, 29 January 2010, 12.30-14.00

The financial crisis has caused an economic crisis around the world. Drastic state measures have prevented the collapse of the economic system: governments have established rescue funds for failing banks or nationalized banks for relaunching economic growth. At the same time, central banks have intervened with important injections of liquidity and have lowered interest rates.

• What were the causes of the financial crisis?
• In the future, how can such crises be prevented?
• What effect will state measures have in the long term?
• What will a global adjustment of the financial system look like? Who should develop and apply the rules?

Haruhiko Kuroda, President, Asian Development Bank, Manila Barbara Stocking, Chief Executive, Oxfam GB, United Kingdom Matthew Wale, Minister of Education and Human Resources Development, Solomon Islands Government, Solomon Islands Moderated by Romaine Jean, Journalist, Swiss Television TSR, Switzerland

Does Religion’s Claim to Truth Lead to Violence?

Friday, 29 January 2010, 19.00 - 20.30

Religions motivate people to relate to each other, to create understanding and to foster peace. But religions can be abused for political ideologies. Formulated as a universal right to truth, religion can turn into a claim to power, which may lead to violence. Recognizing this, the Ecumenical Council of Churches proclaimed the Decade for Overcoming Violence, which will end in 2010.

 

• Does religion have a tendency to impose its claim to truth through violence? Under what conditions?
• How is communal life possible in a society with multiple claims to truth?
• Do political views promote a claim to truth, especially when they legitimatize themselves religiously?

Muhammad Ashafa, Imam, Interfaith Mediation Center (IMC), Nigeria Edna Brocke, Head of the Old Synagogue Memorial in Essen Marcia Pally, Professor of Multilingual Multicultural Studies, New York University, USA Thomas Wipf, President of the Council, Federation of Swiss Protestant Churches, Switzerland Moderated by Urs Leuthard, Moderator, Swiss Television SF DRS, Switzerland

The Ageing Society – Still Young at 65?

Saturday, 30.1.2010, 12.30-14.00

 

In 2030, one-quarter of the Swiss population will be older than 65. Life expectancy will continue to rise in the industrialized countries. The evolution will fundamentally challenge our social system and our working environment.

 

• Which challenges are facing the ageing society?
• What role will older people play in our society? Is getting old a loss of ability to work? What would a work environment for the ageing society look like?
• What philosophy is our current health system based on? Are our attitudes to health, disease and death still up to date?

Ruth Baumann-Hölzle, Head of the interdisciplinary institute of ethics in the health service Angelina Fankhauser, Co-President of "Graue Panther Basel-Landschaft, Basel-Stadt und Region" Thomas Held, Director, Avenir Suisse - A Think Tank for Switzerland, Switzerland Urs Tannò, Managing Partner, Top Fifty, Switzerland Modeçrated by Urs Leuthard, Moderator, Swiss Television SF DRS, Switzerland

“Yes We Can?”

Saturday, 30 January 2010, 15.30-17.00

US President and Nobel Peace Laureate Barack Obama has awakened high expectations with his slogan "Yes, we can!". After one year of presidency, it can be seen where Barack Obama has introduced political innovation and where he has not.

 

• To what extent has the impact of the financial and economic crisis been curbed in the US?
• What are the relations between the US and the Arab countries?
• To what extent has the international political situation on climate changed due to the new position of the US?

Susan M. Collins, Senator from Maine (Republican), USA Riz Khan, Anchor, Al Jazeera, USA Ulrike Lunacek, Member of the European Parliament, Speaker of the European Green Party Sir Martin Sorrell, Group Chief Executive, WPP, United Kingdom; Global Agenda Council on Marketing & Branding Moderated by Christine Maier, TV Host, Swiss Television SF, Switzerland

A World without Nuclear Weapons: Utopia?

Saturday, 30 January 2010, 19.00 - 20.30

US President Obama and Russian President Medvedev want a follow-up agreement to reduce nuclear weapons. In other parts of the world, countries are seeking to build their own nuclear weapons: North Korea has developed nuclear capabilities, and Iran is soon able to produce a nuclear explosive device. India, China and Pakistan have modernized their nuclear armed forces

 

• Who could, or should, prevent the spread of nuclear weapons? Why do some countries have the right to own weapons of mass destruction and others do not?
• To what extent is the civil use of nuclear energy denied to countries -- out of fear for simultaneous use for military purposes?
• Why is Iran today striving for nuclear weapons, although it has rejected weapons of mass destruction for religious reasons for a long time? How do Iran's religious leaders explain the production of weapons of mass destruction?

Salpy Eskidjian-Weiderud, Church Consultant, Sweden and Cyprus Moderated by Romaine Jean, Journalist, Swiss Television TSR, Switzerland