For the next three days I will be participating in and blogging from the World Economic Forum Summit on the Global Agenda in Dubai. If last year’s summit – described as the “World’s largest brainstorming” – is anything to go by, we’re in for an intense few days. The summit draws on the WEF’s Global Agenda Councils, and creates a forum for over 700 thought-leaders representing over 90 countries to mix and match ideas on issues as diverse as catastrophic global risks to the role of faith in society, and sustainable consumption to the future of entertainment.
This year, the Summit is focused on contributing to the World Economic Forum’s Global Redesign Initiative (GRI) – a multistakeholder dialogue addressing the challenges of the 21st century. Tapping into expertise within industry, governmental, civil society, academic and media communities, the GRI is addressing six themes:
- Creating a Values Framework considers the universal values needed for constructive coexistence in an interdependent world characterized by cultural diversity.
- Mitigating Global Risks and Addressing Systemic Failures – includes all eventualities and risks which may have adverse consequences on a global level.
- Strengthening Economies encompasses all aspects of economic growth and development.
- Enhancing Security speaks to the need for global, national and human security.
- Ensuring Sustainability addresses human behaviour in the global ecosystem.
- Building Effective Institutions reflects on the necessary institutional context for effective global governance.
Discussions over the next three days will revolve around these themes, as well as feeding directly into the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos-Klosters.
Last year, I found it intriguing and more than a little worrying that, while many of the issues being addressed by the Global Agenda Councils depend on science and technology innovation, science and technology were not central to the discussions. Hopefully this year will see a shift in emphasis. The good news is that we now have a Council on Emerging Technologies (which I participate in), which will be working with a number of other Councils to help establish science and technology-grounded discussions.
Whether or not we achieve as much integration as I would like remains to be seen. Either way, if last year was anything to go by, we’re in for a stimulating, challenging and exciting few days. I must confess, I get a tremendous buzz out of dropping in on intense conversations in areas I know nothing about, with experts I would normally never cross paths with – and experiencing the mental light bulbs flash on as we compare notes and exchange ideas. And with 700 smart people cloistered together for three days, I can guarantee there are going to be a lot of bulbs lighting up in Dubai this weekend.
Of course, the location helps – but it’s the people that matter. Really…
If all goes according to plan, I’ll be posting each day between now and Sunday November 22nd on how the Summit’s going from my perspective, so stay tuned.
First thought I have to get there.
Signing off from JFK, waiting for the flight out to Dubai.