I'm on my way to Davos for this year's World Economic Forum. The theme of this year's conference is "Shaping the Post-Crisis World." Glad to hear the organizers are expecting there to be a "post" to this "crisis".
On the one hand, organizers are expecting a record turnout. And a record number of heads of state -- 40 -- are planning to attend, which many are taking as a sign that government-based solutions to the global economic crisis will be front and center this year, with chastened financial types less dominant. Gordon Brown, Vladimir Putin, Angela Merkel, and Wen Jiabao are among the world leaders coming to Davos. President Obama is sitting this one out, as are Lawrence Summers and national security advisor James L. Jones -- both had planned to attend but withdrew last week. The Obama administration will be represented by Valerie Jarrett.
On the other hand, the mood leading up to the conference is decidedly -- and appropriately -- somber. Especially for those no longer masterful Masters of the Universe. Citi and Goldman Sachs have cancelled their usually lavish parties. And many top bankers, concerned about appearances, are not even coming.
Citigroup head Vikram Pandit has canceled. Same with Goldman Sachs' Lloyd Blankfein. And a number of other financial institutions are scaling back their Davos contingents and sponsorships.
Also sending regrets, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Bono.
But there will be plenty of interesting panels, speeches, and roundtables -- and, of course, the unexpected, unplanned, off-the-schedule hook ups that make Davos such a unique gathering.
I'm taking part in a number of panels. Early Wednesday, I will be part of a panel, moderated by Josef Joffe, the publisher-editor of Die Zeit, discussing how the core issues from the '08 election will evolve from campaign rhetoric to government policy now that Obama has taken office. I will be joined on the panel by Jay Nordlinger of the National Review, Lally Weymouth of Newsweek, and Frederick Kempe of the Atlantic Council.
Later that night I will moderate an "interactive dinner session" at the Hotel Waldhuss-Sertig, entitled "Power to the People -- Politics in the Internet Age." Andy Stern of SIEU, William Daley of JP Morgan & Chase, Irene Khan of Amnesty International, Moises Naim of Foreign Policy Magazine, Calvin Chin, the CEO of Qifang in the People's Republic of China, Don Tapscott of nGenera Insight, and Korean newspaper and TV exec Chang Dae-Whan will help lead the discussion.
On Thursday afternoon, I'm taking part in a conversation about how new catalysts -- such as the innovative use of technology and social media -- can be used to stimulate new forms of interfaith dialogue. A cross-section of religious leaders from around the world, including Jim Wallis of Sojourners, Jonathan Sacks, the chief rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations in the United Kingdom, and Mustafa Ceric, Grand Mufti of Bosnia will be taking part.
Then, on Thursday evening, I am facilitating a dinner discussion about the new world of "media fusion" where traditional American and European media companies are being joined by local media players in emerging markets. The session will feature Shobhana Bhartia, Chairperson of HT Media in India, Brazilian author Paulo Coelho, Wang Lifen, a producer and TV host from China, and Rodrigo Teijeiro, CEO of Sonico in Argentina.
One of the presentations I'm most looking forward to is a lunch panel on "PhilanthroCapitalism." Matthew Bishop of the Economist will discuss "How the rich can save the world" by taking a businesslike approach to charitable giving. He will be joined by Nancy Lublin, CEO of DoSomething.org and venture capitalist Matt Cohler, who will talk about the movement towards not-for-profit IPOs as a way of remaking the impact of NGOs.
More to come once I arrive. In the meantime, be sure and check in frequently with our Davos Big News page for the latest news, commentary, and video coming out of the World Economic Forum.
Tell those miserable, no-longer "masterful masters of universe" that the first thing they should do is to cut their caviar and contribute more than ever to the non-profits that work for the poor in the Third World. If they have an iota of conscience, this is the least they can and should do. Whatever is saved from cost-cutting (like not buying yacht or custom-built gulfstream) they must contribute to all the non-profits. Because it is due to these people's greed that the worst sufferers have been the innocents in Asia, Africa and Latin America (and n America too, but the suffering of Americans is nothing like that of others). Those bonzos owe it to the poor whom they gypped so callously.
DAVOS, SWITZERLAND
WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM
January 28, 2009
KLAUS SCHWAB, FOUNDER OF WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM ANNOUNCES SURPRISE PANEL
GLOBAL PONZINOMICS: THE VIEW FROM WALL STREET
The following are excerpts from today's surprise panel discussion:
KLAUS SCHWAB: Distinguished guests, today we have arranged a surprise panel to lead us through the cutting edge of Global Ponzinomics. As you all know, the modern day version of Ponzinomics has its origins on Wall Street. I know you are all keen to hear directly from the leaders of Wall Street as well as the regulators all of whom made this remarkable feat of financial wizardry possible. The organisers of the Forum have spared no expense in bringing you a first rate panel. I would like to thank the United States Marshall Service for its cooperation in making it possible for Mr. Madoff to attend the Forum. That is a custom designed Cartier bailout bracelet Bernie is wearing. It is designed to explode if he gets within 50 yards of any UBS Branch in Davos. Mr. Madoff requires no introduction. His genius and modesty is well known. We thought it would be appropriate for Bernie to lead today's panel discussion. At this time I would also like to thank Citigroup for providing special air transport services to bring the panel participants straight to Davos on such short notice. Without further delay, I turn the discussion over to Bernie.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:
Go to the WilliamBanzai7 Blog
I hope our Government leaves enough wealth for the World Leaders to make it back home from Davos. Arianna, do tell them that President Obama and the American People would have liked to have been represented there, as a contributing part of the future but, our hands our tied.
I wish you much success and joy at moderating tonight's interactive dinner session "Power to the People - Politics in the Internet Age"!
Hope you'll find a little time for skiing, too, in this most beautiful Swiss resort area, one of my utmost favorites.
_____________________________
The FED and the Elite who run it along with the IMF, International Monetary Fund, have done this to us. As Representative Kucinich says, the FED should be placed under Treasury and taken away from the Elite:
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x85sun_rep-dennis-kucinich-doh-abolish-fra_news
Another alternative is to have a separate Cabinet Seat with Congress passing the laws and regulations and the President and the FED Cabinet member making decisions.
Accomplished a lot.
Can Huff-Po be there??? Send a reporter?
40 Plus leaders. Oh MY!
And all eyes will be on Obama. Now we will see our President at his best, gracious, reserve, LISTENING to others,,,,, sharing the stage!
WOW!
>>“Plays well with others.”
Well,,, it is a critical test for Kindergartners,,, why not for adults? One test BUSH failed.
Oh! And the next big Internet Question!
What Muslim Capitol will Obama visit first?
Can Huff-Po run an article on this too?
I say, Cairo, Egypt!!!
Then Damascus, Syria.
Then Amman, Jordan.
Or,,, Cairo, Amman, then Damascus.
Not sure yet.
I hope Huff-Po can send reporters to cover the event,,, and especially when Barack Obama meets with Putin. Oh MAN,, to be a fly on the wall for that meeting. WOW!
All the best
Knute
good old reliable CANADA..
Oh,, Sorry,,, Yes, I checked. You are right. Seems he will not be attending. Reading is very hard for me. I will try to be more careful.
All the best
Knute
Enjoy!
Say hello to my friend, the remarkable global economist, Hazel Henderson -founder of Ethicalmarkets.com
Happy Trails,
Dr. Rick Lippin
Southampton,Pa