Open Forum 2009

During the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum, the Federation of Swiss Protestant Churches and the Forum will co-organize discussions for the general public. These events will be held in conjunction with the Forum’s Annual Meeting 2009. The Open Forum was first organized in 2003. It offers a possibility for an open debate on globalization and its consequences. In past years, the following overall topics were discussed:

• Globalization or Deglobalization for the benefit of the poorest?
• When is the economy ethical?
• Respecting, crossing and shifting boundaries

This year, the sessions of the Open Forum will once again help participants share their opinion on global issues, by addressing the following topics:

Thursday January 29
1. 12:30-14:00 – Global Financial Crisis: Which Lessons Should Be Learned?
2. 19:00-20:30 – Is There a Solution for the Middle East?

Friday January 30
3. 12:30-14:00 – Religion and Human Rights – A Contradiction?
4. 19:00-20:30 – Climate Justice: Basis of a New Global Solidarity?

The session on Climate Justice has been co-organized by the Global Humanitarian Forum. 

Saturday January 31
5. 12:30-14:00 – Live and Let Die
6. 15:30-17:00 – Is the right to Food an Illusion?
7. 19:00-20:30 – The EU – Model without Citizens?

As in past years, the sessions will take place in the main hall of the Swiss Alpine Middle School on Guggerbachstrasse 3, in Davos. The debates will be in German and English with simultaneous translation into both languages. The Open Forum sessions are open to the public, no registration is required and people can get in on a first come first serve basis.

How can I attend?
Entry is free of charge, but limited to 300 people. At the entrance each person will receive a ticket that is valid for that session only. It will not be possible to register for these sessions, nor to reserve entry tickets in advance. The Auditorium (Schweizerische Alpinen Mittelschule secondary school on Guggerbachstrasse 3 in Davos) will open 30mns before the start of each discussion. Tickets are limited to one per person and participants may not collect tickets on behalf of a group.

Question about the project?
openforum@weforum.org