As I watched the speeches at the annual World Economic Forum debates 2018 in Switzerland, It is clear that Europe is now quickly trying to replace the US in leading the world following the global loss of respect in the US presidency in the last year plus the dwindling global political influence of the White House on issues ranging from climate change, to foreign aid, military cooperation and economic alliances. The EU is also developing more ambitious grand plans for being at the cutting edge of major technological advancenents via increased funding. Some of the area's targeted for greater research and productivity gains are medicine, artificial intelligence, and not surprisingly, clean energy innovations. One of the biggest innovation challenges the world is facing today is how to smoothly transition from depletable carbon-heavy fuels, to sustainable low-cost clean energy resources. I totally agree with the French President who said in his speech that while governments enact laws and policies to address countries difficulties, it is our cultures, our common ways of thinking as societies that ultimately create and/or solve the different array of problems in our different countries/communities. He also remarked that "Those who do not want to move forward should not block the most ambitious." Though he was talking about the policy squabbles between the 27 European Union member nations, the point he was making is a reality in many areas of human endeavour wherever people have to come together and contribute to a common struggle/cause for their own betterment. In Africa for example, whether it is nations or individuals, the behaviour of blocking or pulling down those who are being more successful and/or potentially more productive is probably one of the most understated causes of continued underdevelopment and stagnation. It is also at the heart of why it is difficult to have accord and smooth coordination amongst African countries on global matters where we have common interests. Issues like corruption, public theft, extortion, and the deliberate shelving of some otherwise progressive development projects are all also part of causing persistent poverty and socio-economic stagnation. In many instances, even the best projects only launch after money is exchanged under the table. If not they are deliberately stalled. What cultures/societal behaviour is behind such mentalities? Especially when it is by people who are paid monthly salaries as public servants to support and facilitate development? In Africa therefore, those who genuinely succeed probably have had to make twice or thrice the effort than a similarly successful person in developed countries. Meanwhile, I recommend that African leaders, from directors, permanent secretaries, MP's, Ministers, Presidents, Kings, and young aspiring leaders should all follow the annual discussions at the World Economic Forum and similar events. Because leaders lead, they can only do so if they have a greater awareness of all the local and global issues. I see such events are an easy way to widen our own horizons, upgrade our own understanding of our own challenges and their solutions, and improve our own leadership perspectives by listening to what global political leaders, business leaders, scientists and activists of different causes are debating as the worlds priorities today and why. Honestly speaking, the gap in level of thinking between some of the presentations I watched and what some of our leaders are concerning themselves with here, is quite troubling. It means we have decades to go before we can achieve consensus on certain critical issues simply because of ignorance, faulty prioritization, or misunderstanding at a large scale. What really matters is sometimes by-passed for other reasons. I also recommend that the organizers (or any watchdog institutions) provide an impact assessment of their event. In the years since it's inception, how has the World Economic Forum impacted ordinary people around the world in terms of human development parameters from the grassroots upwards. While the forum provides a highly respected platform for world leaders to express their philosophies and political views, listen to their peers and learn/share new idea's, it is necessary to quantify or evaluate the forum's real-terms impact if it is to become a more purposeful and more relevant global institution in terms of setting, understanding, and communicating socio-economic policy and concerns. A platform that serves everyone from gobal industries to community development leaders for the benefit of the ordinary people, rather than become some sort of political fashion show that serves the self-gratification of a certain category of leaders and so-called influential people. I listened to inspiring speeches but fear that some are designed simply for the intellectualist appearance of the occasion. While some attendees are surely utilising the platform for real networking, real advancement of real agenda's/causes, therefore real influencing of change, and real communication to address concrete challenges, many others could be there just for the accolades, rendering it one of the perks of arrivalism and prestige. Yet in my view the World Economic Forum should be a leaders tool for the advancement of key causes and solving of real-life problems in nations and communities around the world.
By Hussein Lumumba Amin 26/01/2018
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