The pursuit of freedom, democracy and peace in the Middle East is an objective shared by all and in the interests of all. But, says former UK foreign secretary Douglas Hurd, in the disagreement and misunderstanding about how to achieve these aims lies the potential for even greater conflict. – We are living through a…
What are the qualities that define great leadership? Passion? Optimism? Communication? Conviction? Bravery? Honesty? Luck? One thing’s for sure: we need some leadership now. Rudy Giuliani, the former mayor of New York City, offers his own analysis of what great leadership involves. – We live in a momentous time. The world stands divided between passionate…
Governments around the world have favoured corporations at the expense of their citizens for far too long, says Tony Juniper. They should stop cosying up to them – at Davos or anywhere else – and start putting the interests of society above those of business – The latest blockbuster James Bond movie, “Die Another Day”,…
The scourge of contagious disease is not just a problem for the poorest countries. It is a problem for the world – and one that can only be addressed by true cooperation between the public and private sectors, NGOs, philanthropic organizations, grassroots workers and activists. To assess what is being done and must be done…
Companies must take unilateral action now to address the challenges of global health and development, says Raymond Gilmartin. – Twelve months ago, I had the privilege of serving as a co-chairman of the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in New York City. The meeting took place against the extraordinary backdrop of the tragic events and…
“At the heart of difficulty lies opportunity,” Albert Einstein once noted. This, says EU environment commissioner Margot Wallström, is the attitude we must adopt in combating climate change. Here she outlines the EU’s approach and what it means for people at all levels. – Hardly a week goes by without a disaster that foreshadows climate…
The next few months will have a big impact on the global trade round. The most difficult negotiations are still to come and many issues are contentious. Supachai Panitchpakdi, director-general of the World Trade Organization, outlines his trade and development agenda and his hopes and fears for the talks – Meeting deadlines is a crucial…
Everyone knows what the anti-globalization movement is against – neo-liberal economics, western government policies, the Washington multilateral institutions and unfettered corporate power. Less clear is what the movement stands for. By Sudip Roy – Nearly 40,000 people descended on the Renaissance Italian city of Florence in mid-November. It had nothing to do with Bellini, Botticelli…
Corruption is the enemy of development. It can be stopped, says Peter Eigen, but true transparency – in both the developed and developing worlds – will require an extraordinary coalition of governments, businesses and civil organizations – At the UN Conference on Financing for Development, held in Monterrey, Mexico, in March 2002, a succession of…
It’s time to face the fact that the globally integrated economy is both undesirable and unachievable, says Zac Goldsmith. It’s time to change direction to prevent further social and environmental breakdown. It’s time for a new agenda – and a new system of world leadership – Until quite recently, concern about the state of the…
