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Programme 26 - 28 September 

The programme will concentrate on five key themes that enable business leaders to take a deep dive into the Next Wave of Growth.

Going Global
For many global growth companies, the main internal challenge of their overseas expansion is the development of corporate managers who can navigate different cultural contexts and think globally. In contrast, external challenges related to global growth are increasingly connected to the ability, or willingness, to collaborate with different actors to establish public-private partnerships, galvanize multiple stakeholders and work with fast-growing local competitors.

A series of boardroom-style discussions with eminent business leaders and policy-makers will examine “going global” from different regional and industry perspectives. A select group of CEOs from the most respected corporations have also been invited as “Mentors” to engage future global industry leaders and deepen their understanding and commitment to “corporate global citizenship”.

Managing Risks
Economic interdependence means that downturns and shocks no longer occur in isolation but are more likely than ever to cut across regions, markets and industries. Global growth is threatened by curbs and constraints that are political, social or environmental in origin. Most are triggered or linked to reactions to a sudden downturn or shock, thus a backlash to globalization can take many forms and emerge at anytime. A series of expert-led workshops will examine how to create a framework and the capacity to assess, prioritize and mitigate such risks at the company level, as well as how to capitalize on those global risks that can be transformed into business opportunities.

Drivers of Future Growth
Emerging and developing economies, if combined together, account for two-thirds of the world’s growth when measured on a basis of purchasing price parity (PPP). As a result of this growth, the IMF forecasts that these countries will manage a current account surplus totalling over US$ 700 billion in 2008. Yet, this growth now faces headwinds linked to rising commodity prices, a weakened US dollar and the need to be environmentally and socially sustainable. Given the overwhelming global trend toward urbanization, cities will be at the vanguard of opportunities and challenges related to future growth. Over 100 mayors and governors from many of the fastest-growing regions in the world along with ministers of science and technology, commerce and transport will engage in a series of multistakeholder discussions to explore the drivers of future growth and the various scenarios that may emerge.

Technology and Innovation: The Next Wave
Advances in nanotechnology, genetics and computer science combined with progress in related disciplines such as engineering, medicine and finance make science and technology an inescapable presence in our daily lives. Faced with a growing roster of technological innovations that may rapidly reshape their industries, companies are on alert for disruptive technologies and innovative new models that may emerge from around the globe. A series of briefings by globally recognized pioneers in science and technology will explore their discoveries and innovations as well as their future impact in a wide range of contexts.

China as a Global Player
2008 marks the 30th anniversary of China’s now historic “Opening and Reform Policy” and its first interaction with the World Economic Forum. Membership in the WTO, over one trillion US dollars in foreign currency reserves and the creation of the world’s largest markets for mobile telephone and Internet use are some of the country’s impressive economic milestones since 1978. As China’s integration into the world economy enters a new phase as a result of its increasing political influence, technological advancement and changing societal needs, a series of sessions will explore how the country is poised to emerge as a global player and how that journey will reshape its foreign, trade and investment policies in the future.

Contact
For more information about the Programme please contact ggc@weforum.org