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The Public Diplomacy Blog is intended to stimulate dialog among scholars, researchers, practitioners and professionals from around the world in the public diplomacy sphere. The opinions represented here are the authors' own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the USC Center on Public Diplomacy at the Annenberg School.

DAVOS IN REFLECTION: GLOBAL RISKS MEET GLOBAL INACTION
FEB 8, 2012 - 11:41AM PST
Posted by Cari Guittard
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In reading through various reports from Davos last week, I couldn’t help but wonder with all that power amassed – over 4500 attendees to include hundreds of heads of state and CEOs – and all the current crises compounding on the world’s stage, might something different result. Would there be any fresh thinking or radical action to come of such a gathering at such an auspicious time in world history. Though official remarks gave courtesy to the World Economic Forum’s Global Risk Index which lists some 50 threats each with greater and graver consequences than the next, it was apparent that the gathering was as it has always been a place to see and be seen, but do nothing. As 2012 lurches forward and the global economic system continues its dismal spiral most of us around the world are focused inward on issues affecting our daily lives and those of each of our respective nations. If the protests occurring in every region are any indication, people have given up hope that those in power – regardless of which sector they operate in – will find a way to come together to solve global challenges. Additionally, trust in global institutions and governments continues to deteriorate as each are crippled to varying degrees by their bureaucracies, protocols, and old ways of thinking and responding to crisis. If there were ever a time for new leadership on the world stage, and a radical new approach to global engagement, it is now. I would also argue that the sector most poised to step up and take on such a leadership position – especially in light of the numerous political transitions that will occur in 2012 -- is the private sector. Wall Street aside, the private sector knows how to bring people together and develop solutions. Business has experience managing risk, responding to crisis, and working across multiple cultures effectively irrespective of political differences. Business sees opportunity when paralysis sets in. Bottom line, business has the resources and reach to take action – who else or what else is better positioned? Global Risk Redux Reading through the WEF Global Risk Index in its entirety is an exercise in extreme patience and fortitude. Though beautifully organized with video links and additional resources, one is tempted at multiple points – particularly when the risks start clustering and spreading into pandemic proportions -- to surrender. With each risk detailed in the nearly 100 page report, each more harrowing than the next, one can easily surmise that there isn’t much any one of us or our governments can do about it. And here is a classic example where the approach has defeated the purpose. Conversely, look at Ian Bremmer’s outline of Top Risks for 2012. Bremmer, noted geopolitical risk guru who also attended Davos, gets right to the point in 11 pages with one of the most succinct, easily digestible analyses of the global risk environment. He doesn’t attempt to boil the ocean or drown you in every possible…... FULL TEXT
 
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