Davos Forum Opening Tomorrow

‘Trust’ has risen as the topic among the world economists.

The theme of the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (also called ‘Davos Forum’) which is to be held at the Davos Recreational Ski Resort in Switzerland from 23rd through 28th, has been decided to be ‘Building Trust’. It is expected that over 2,150 people from 99 countries consisting of 29 National Chiefs with their government attendants, 81 ministers and around 1,000 business representatives will be participating.

The reason for the selection of the theme, ‘Building Trust’, is due to the sensation of crisis which has reached a dangerous level caused by the distrust on the major corporations and the public organs from the aftermath of the accounting irregularities of the American Corporations beginning with Enron. Also, it is known that the sponsor’s judgment greatly affected the theme due to their realization of heightened distrust between the West and the Islam because of the Afghanistan War and Iraq situation. The purpose, which is the rebuilding the trust of the business and government that is the focus of the world’s continuous development and advancement, lies vividly underneath the theme.

▽Politics rather than Economics? = About 60% of the general participants of the Davos Forum are businessmen. Thus, it is obvious that the forum is focused on the economical problems. However, with an outlook of the world’s slow down this year, it has been observed that due to the known political variables such as the Iraq War and the North Korea’s nuclear crisis, the political problems’ portion will be great this year. The participation of Collin Powell, the U.S. Secretary of State, supports this outlook.

Especially, the UN’s Iraq Inspection Report will be submitted to the Security Council on 27th and George W. Bush, the U.S. President’s Annual State of the Union Message for Congress will be announced on 28th which are to be happened during the forum, thus, there are quite a few international political variables which can bring great impact on the Davos’ discussions.

From Korea, Jung, Dong-Yeong, the adviser of the Democratic Party will be participating as the special envoy of the President-elect, Roh, Mu-Hyun. Kim, Yoeng-Nam, the chief member of the standing committee of the People’s Party who is the 2nd powerful authority in rank from North Korea, has been invited but his participation has been unknown.

▽The sign of the Anti Internationalism Movement = There has been severe anti demonstrations for years as the Davos’ Forum recognized as the ‘World’s Advance Guard Point’ to the Anti Internationalism Movement Organizations. The military of Switzerland has proclaimed the city of Davos including the 1500 meters from the sea level and its vicinity as the ‘Aviation Prohibited Region’ starting this 19th, warning that any unidentified flying object will be immediately shot down if it enters this prohibited region.

Switzerland has estimated that they will use about 10 million dollars just for the guarding and patrolling expenses for the 2,000 Forum participants. As the Swiss military and the police strictly blocks the approach of the anti internationalism demonstration, their shouting has been increasing as they commented the following: “He did get the demonstration permit at Davos but can’t enter into it.”

Like any normal years, the World Social forum (WSF), which was formed by the powers who is against the internationalism, is to be held during the same period. It has been a hot topic that he President of Brazil, Luiz Inacio Lula Da Silva, who was the leader of Brazil’s Labor Party and who also played the role of the midwife in the formation of the World Social Forum, will be attending the opening ceremony of the World Social Forum holding at Porto Alegre, Brazil as well as is to attend the Davos Forum, which is the symbol of the internationalism.

Jei-Gyoon Park phark@donga.com