The process of globalization has raised major economic and ethical issues 

The rapid progress of globalization has moved forward at a pace which has caused problems of a systemic and individual nature. At a systemic level, the world of high finance has without any doubt become disconnected from the real economy. Meanwhile, the economy is not built to serve the common good, failing to properly consider the dignity of individual citizens, while at an individual level, many difficult ethical dilemmas are emerging which are almost  impossible to resolve.

The Zermatt Summit will form a platform for men and women sharing a vision of a fairer form of globalization. A diverse group of eminent people from business, government,  representatives of non-governmental agencies (NGOs), trade unionists and Performing Arts will come together to discuss how the processes of globalization can be changed to serve the common good. The focus of their discussions will be on how to change “hearts and minds” in order to create a more humane form of globalization.

Global summit putting the individual at the centre of globalization

The objective of the Zermatt Summit is to explore and formulate a roadmap of how to navigate through the challenges currently facing mankind and help create a better world. People need to be placed at the centre of the globalization process, whereby the world of high finance would serve the economy, the economy would serve the common good, and the common good would care for the people, enhancing the prospects of poorer and socially marginalized groups.

Three days devoted to REFlECT ON GLOBALIZATION AND TO PROVIDE DIRECTION FOR FURTHER WORKS AND SUMMITS

The Zermatt Summit will provide a forum for participants to ask deep questions on which goals need to be set in order to humanize the process of globalization. After the summit has been completed, the Advisors Network, made up of senior business leaders and experts, will formulate strategic recommendations for themes and topics to be reflected on during subsequent Summits and will provide direction to the Foundation as to its priorities in terms of publication and training programs.

For the individual to be able to reach his or her full potential, he or she must be able to blossom within a society which supports the family, community and enterprise in an inclusive political structure. The broader challenge is for a wider realization of the responsibility of the individual within society and vice-versa.

The manifest failure of economists and politicians to anticipate the recent financial crisis cannot be understood without considering the underlying failure to take into account the impact on the individual of the driving process of global capital.

Obstacles to creating a better world will remain until people play a more significant role in the process of globalization.

The notion of Common good

The rapid process of globalization makes it an even greater challenge to balance the needs of human beings whether they are material, spiritual or emotional, with those of society at large. Under these circumstances, using terms such as the ‘common good’ could be very helpful in defining new rules. Implicit in the common good is a full respect for both the individual and collective interests of society while at the same time asking the individual to demand less while the community at large concedes some of its power. The Zermatt Summit will focus on the respective roles and responsibilities of institutions and individuals from the perspective of furthering the common good.