To create a new world, we need a new world order. And that order should be guided by a vision for shared prosperity and shaped, at least in part, by a circular economic model.
That mantra was espoused by many of the estimated 3,000 government officials, business leaders, economics experts and non-profit representatives who flocked to Davos, Switzerland, last week for the World Economic Forum’s annual gathering.
Amid the kerfuffle about the comings and goings of an estimated 1,500 private jets, consternation over the U.S. no-show and muted cheers over record numbers of female delegates, calls for circularity — including the bold push for reusing consumer products packaging fronted by TerraCycle — and inclusivity sounded again and again.
“This next phase of globalization needs to deliver economic growth — but deliver it such that it is equitable growth,” said Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, one of the conference co-chairs, in prepared remarks for his speech at the event. “Let’s challenge the status quo with innovation and ingenuity.”
That requires an intergenerational, international perspective: This year, six of the eight meeting agenda co-chairs were millennials representing Colombia, Iraq, Japan, Kenya, Sweden and the United States. Noura Berrouba, member of the Governing Body of the European Youth Parliament, challenged participants to find empathy. “These are not threats; these are not problems,” she said, referring to the distance between the Davos attendees and those whose voices need louder amplification. “These are change agents and opportunities, and if we want to create a world
Article source: https://www.greenbiz.com/article/davos-calls-circular-inclusive-economy
