Babe's Eye View article

DAVOS, Switzerland—When the world's most powerful politicians and the world's richest CEOs gather together—Bill Gates, Michael Dell, Neville Isdell, Rupert Murdoch, George Soros and many more—it can really be intimidating. The collective wealth of all these people could easily surpass more than a trillion dollars.

No wonder security was very tight at the Congress Hall (similar to our PICC in Manila) in Davos. Many of the wealthy individuals participating have a phobia for having their photos taken. In fact, Endika Aboitiz, one of the Filipino businessmen who attended the forum, told me your business operation has to have $1 billion before you could get invited.

But more than just comparing the world's wealthiest and hearing them share ideas on how to conduct business in a manner that combines "compassionate capitalism and equitable globalization," what makes the Davos forum compelling is the realization that it pools together some of the planet's most brilliant and influential individuals supposedly united in purpose, and hopefully, will help make the world a better place—at least for 2008.

Admittedly, critics have dismissed the WEF as an elitist gathering where bigwigs "talk shop" and engage in debates and discussions that we can all do without. More people, however, believe the Davos forum helps leaders make sense of the changes that are happening the world over, as they take a holistic look at complex issues that have a lasting impact on the lives of everyone.

With technology advancing by leaps and bounds, close to a million people became virtual participants via YouTube by sending their answers to the Davos Question: "What key action do you think countries, companies or individuals should take to make the world a better place in 2008?"

Naturally, global warming and its consequences was a major concern. Even George Bush is beginning to display a gradual shift in perspective, admitting the seriousness of the issue. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon underscored the seriousness of the impending water shortage and the threats it poses on economic growth, health, safety and national security—as seen in Darfur where water shortage triggered the fighting that resulted in the death of 200,000 and the displacement of more than a million people.

This may sound banal—but no man is an island. Rich and powerful countries cannot turn their backs on the Third World; what happens to your neighbor will come back and eventually, affect you. You cannot sit comfortably by while you watch your neighbor wallowing in misery and poverty.

No doubt those in the WEF belong to an exclusive club—but one that would not be of much use if these people who have vast resources at their disposal do not act to make a difference to the rest of the world. As someone from Caritas International said, the forum is an excellent opportunity to ensure that the world's poor are not forgotten when business and political leaders plan the future. Leaders must heed the call of social consciousness if they are to make the world a better place for everyone.

Ordinary observers could get lost in the rhetoric that sometimes happens with high-powered debates and discussions. But if one cuts across the seeming complexity of issues and platforms, one is made aware of the "richness in spirit" felt by everyone during that weeklong gathering. It was obvious the participants were not there to hobnob or socialize—rather, they were driven by a sense of purpose and mission. There is so much more that can be done if people work together, sharing innovative solutions to issues that could ultimately threaten the security of everyone on this planet.

Shortly, after GMA's meeting with Swiss Confederation president Pascal Couchepin at the Morosani Posthotel in Central Davos, I had a 15-minute chat with her over coffee, where I suggested that we should have something like this. Davos started as a small idea that grew bigger and bigger over the years.

Today, Davos has become the place to go, so why not have one in Asia? After all, the region has the biggest population; China and India are emerging as the next economic powerhouses; and the Philippines is centrally located which makes it an ideal venue. GMA said it sounded like a good idea. In fact, she told me that she has been invited by Bill Clinton to the Hong Kong Forum this April, and she was thinking of inviting some of the attendees including Clinton to a gathering that would jumpstart a smaller ASEAN Forum.

This may sound corny, but we should have a similar Davos forum in Davao. Mindanao is one of the country's wealthiest, but most undeveloped areas. I am one of those who truly believe that the Philippines is a rich country pretending to be poor. We just can't seem to get our act together in harnessing our resources and making them grow.

The Davos Forum has opened the eyes of many on what wealth means and what it can do to benefit everyone. Perhaps we can have a smaller forum starting with Forbes Magazine's "40 Wealthiest Filipinos." These are just a few individuals, but gifted with enormous wealth and resources.

They can utilize their collective talents and resources to make a difference in the lives of Filipinos; ultimately, it will redound to their own good when the country becomes wealthier, stronger and more stable. At the end of the day, one always looks for good karma—because all that wealth is useless when one dies—you can never take it with you.