‘There is enough in the world for everyone’s needs, but not for everyone’s greed’  - Mahatma Gandhi

These words were echoed by Mohan Bhagwandas, the conference coordinator of the ‘Trust and Integrity in the Global Economy’ (24-29 July) at the Initiatives of Change Center in Caux. Having opened yesterday, the conference brings together 160 people from many walks of life to explore pathways to a sustainable world.

Caux 2009 Trust and Integrity in the Global Economy Conference opening: Photo: Adriana Borra

The evening unveiled speeches from some of the experts who will moderate four work streams of the conference: Young Professionals, Media, Business Leaders and Health, Food and Sustainability. The moderators include Jean-Pierre Mean, Vice President of the Swiss Chapter of Transparency International, Ingrid Franzon, Swedish Clincal Nutrionist, Bernard Margueritte, Polish Journalist, Author, Writer and President of the International Communications Forum, Justin Walford, Operations Manager G3 Canada, and Mohan Bhagwandas.

Jean Pierre Mean used quotes from Milton Friedman’s book Capitalism and Freedom’ as a basis to discuss the dissatisfactions of the current global economic system. ‘Lately inequality has been increasing rather than decreasing. Every one out of six people in the world do not get food to be healthy’, he said.

Bernard Margueritte went on to touch on the role of the media in fostering trustworthy practices in the global economy. He introduced the three principle roles of journalism as being a Pillar for Democracy, for International Relations and for Education.

The keynote speech was made by George Katito, Zimbabwean Researcher for Governance and African Peer Review Mechanism Program at the South African Institute of International Affairs. He articulated the effects of the global economic crunch to both developed and developing countries. He proceeded to stress the effects of climate change by referring to the International Organization for Migration’s report which discloses that 200 million people would be forced to migrate as a direct result of climate change. ‘What ails our global economy may seem slightly daunting, overwhelming and perhaps even out of our depth’, he continued. ‘However, if there is one clear lesson to be gleaned from the progress of human civilization through the centuries - it is that we are sufficiently equipped to inspire and effect change’.

The conference will continue to explore sources of trust and integrity expecting to develop, through work streams, action plans that can be presented to appropriate organizations and decision makers.

Click here for more information about  other  International Caux Conferences 2009