Top Priority for China and the World
What leads to the incessant crises confronting human beings? Ubiquitous avidity, near-sightedness, irresponsibility and deception? There is no doubt that crises will continue to appear and result in the devastation of the human race if the detrimental desires of human beings are not curbed.
We are losing the capability of solving complex problems. No matter whether it's China or the world, the financial crisis or climate change, love or redemption, we need a brand new, forward-looking thinking style and spirit from a macro perspective.
The biggest challenge is whether we can find a new approach to reconcile the inherent differences of human beings, whether we can find common basic values and step back onto the right track.
For this reason, Green Herald is publishing this special edition for "Summer Davos" in Asia, Annual Meeting of the New Champions 2009, and we've invited 14 celebrities from world economic, business, environmental protection, science and technology, and cultural circles to present their insights on the issue at hand and give their remedies.
"A small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." says the anthropologist Margaret Mead.
No matter for China or the world, if you delve deeper into the issues, you'll find the root causes of problems to be the same, only with different symptoms: the basic values (engine) which formerly guided us have changed. Only when we discover the real root causes can we find the right solution. By reaching a new consensus, establishing the right values, keeping on the right track and insisting on action and innovation, we will be able to emerge from today's crises and create a brighter future.
--Editor's note
Ban Ki-moon, Secretary General of the United Nations:
We are enduring the worst economic downturn since the 1930s. It is essential that we do not allow this to hold back the political momentum, investment and innovation that we need to combat climate change. We meet at a critical moment in human history. Our planet is warming to dangerous levels.
Hu Jintao, President of China:
In the face of the complex and changing international economic situation, it is imperative to do the followings: first, to stabilize the international financial market as quickly as possible and give effective play to the driving role of the financial sector in the real economy and boost the confidence of the people and enterprises; second, to take economic stimulus measures in line with the reality of each country, strengthen macroeconomic policy coordination between and among countries, and secure development, employment and people's livelihood; third, to strive to restrain trade and investment protectionism and reduce the damages caused by the crisis to the world, particularly to developing countries; fourth, to promote necessary reforms on the international financial system in a comprehensive, balanced, progressive and effective principle and avoid the recurrence of similar crises.
Barack Obama, President of the United States:
In an age where our economies are linked more closely than ever before, the whole world has been touched by this devastating downturn.
This is our time to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American Dream.
Wen Jiabao, Premier of China:
We should draw serious lessons from the financial crisis and properly handle three relationships: the relationship between financial innovation and regulation; the relationship between virtual and real economy; the relationship between savings and consumption. We should see to it that consumption and savings are well-coordinated.
Nicolas Sarkozy, President of France:
The world has entered an "era of relative power". The economic and political emergence of China, India and Brazil and the "returning" of Russia are creating objective conditions for a new concert of the great powers, a "multi-polar world", in which the European Union can also become one of the "most active poles".
Pope Benedict XVI:
There is urgent need of a true world political authority to properly regulate local markets, stem crisis and prevent us from making the same mistakes.
Prince Charles, UK:
Capitalism and consumerism have brought the world economy and environment to the brink of collapse. We can not afford consumerism. There is only 96 months left for humans to save the world.
Steven Chu, US Secretary of Energy:
If there ever was a time to help steer America and the world towards a path of sustainable energy, now is the time.
Silvio Berlusconi, Premier of Italy:
The rule for stabilizing the financial market is a prioritized topic. Climate change, Doha Development Round of trade negotiations, commercial freedom and food security are key issues.
Muhammad Yunus, the Founder of the microcredit pioneering Grameen Bank:
Many of the world's problems are caused by the business model predicated purely on the profit motive. Take food security as an example. Most of the time it is not the availability of food that causes the hunger, but the inability of the individual to access the food. The solution is a new business model - "social business" - "a non-loss non-dividend company for addressing a social problem."
