2010 World Economic Forum Debriefing: “Rethink, Redesign, Rebuild”
2010 World Economic Forum Debriefing: “Rethink, Redesign, Rebuild”
Followers of the World Economic Forum (WEF) that took place last January in Davos, Switzerland, had many questions about the annual event and sought answers at swissnex Boston on February 9.
Moderated by Senior Advisor of the USA’s Leadership Team to the WEF Paul Smyke, a panel assembled to give insight into the workings and outcomes of this year’s meeting through a spirited Q&A with around 80 guests. Experts with different background included Alex Pentland, Professor of Media Arts and Sciences at MIT Media Lab; Elisabet de los Pinos, Co-founder and CEO of Aura Biosciences Inc.; and Dan Shapiro, Director of Harvard’s International Negotiation Program who narrated his experience of team exercises at the Davos forum. In a microcosm of current global geo-political trends, he noted that differences in values as well as competition among states preclude real progress.
Both panelists and guests were optimistic on the outcome of this year’s forum, particularly with the appropriateness of its theme to rethink, redesign and rebuild given the world’s changing economic successes. However, they also noted improvements they hope to see, including greater participation by women at Davos, and overcoming the language barrier, which affects WEF participation.
Regarding innovation and entrepreneurship, Elisabet del los Pinos suggested a shift in entrepreneurial focus away from return on investment. Positioning her statement amid the global economic slump, she noted: “The best time to start up a company is in times of crisis, offering not just jobs but innovation as well.”
Amid an array of hors d’oeuvres, panelists mingled with guests afterwards in more informal Q&A sessions.
Interview: Interview with Paul Smyke, Senior Advisor World Economic Forum USA Leadership Team
