Davos Forum: Between Peaks and Ditches

The 48th World Economic Forum takes place from 23 to 26 January in Davos. This small Swiss ski resort will welcome 70 heads of state and government, as well as 3,000 economic leaders. Among the big names: Angela Merkel, Emmanuel Macron, Theresa May, Justin Trudeau and the bosses of companies like Renault, Google and Microsoft. This Friday, the arrival of Donald Trump is obviously eagerly awaited (not to say dreaded).

The theme of the Forum is “creating a shared future in a fractured world”: the speakers will address issues as diverse as protectionism, the rise of populism, economic recovery… This annual meeting, however, arouses suspicion: the recommendations that will be proposed to participating States and companies will be followed by facts? The Oxfam has indeed published, this Monday, January 22, its report on wealth inequality. The British NGO said that “82% of the wealth generated last year went to the richest 1% of the global population.” An observation that reminds Davos’ guests their responsibility in this gap between rich and poor that continues to grow dangerously.

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