"We all share a moral imperative to develop the promise and potential of every human being." John J. DeGioia, President, Georgetown University, USA/span>

In the face of the current financial crisis, the global community is facing unprecedented challenges and unparalleled opportunities. The seven Global Agenda Councils within the theme of Society and Values highlighted the positive aspects of our contemporary world, including significant reductions in poverty, increasing workplace diversity and the growing interconnectedness of our lives. However, the Councils also warned of the pressing challenges currently facing humanity. In order to successfully respond to these challenges, it is imperative to develop the human potential of all people, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender or geographical location.

There are significant blocks to promoting such human development. Pervasive and continued discrimination prevents many human beings - particularly women - from reaching their potential. Poverty also limits the human development of millions, and these most vulnerable groups need to be protected now more than ever; during financial crises, it is the most vulnerable who are disproportionately impacted. These vulnerable groups are the world’s most valuable resource, and to move forward we need to be able to tap into the creativity and talent of all peoples.

Extraordinary talent exists in the world, seen in the potential of the 1.2 billion youth who are poised to enter the global labour market in the next decade, and the children reaching adulthood around the globe. To empower these young people, it is crucial to create a culture of inclusion, recognizing the importance of education at all levels, and promoting the talents and capacities needed in all areas of society. "Education must address the task of forging one’s values,” stressed Rapporteur John J. DeGioia, President of Georgetown University, USA, "It is important to acknowledge and articulate the deepest values that we share.” The world’s religious traditions are repositories of these values and, in the current climate, are increasingly important and meaningful resources to promote dialogue and understanding.

Many ways to promote positive change and bring people together exist. Leadership plays a key role in promoting inclusion and human development. It is important for society to define what policies, culture and forms of leadership are needed to foster human potential. Michael Roux, Chairman of Roux International, Australia, highlighted that leaders are responsible for providing hope and vision for society as a whole, while Josette Sheeran, Executive Director of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), highlighted the need for a new paradigm of leadership which is respectful and inclusive. The role of the media is crucial in today’s globalized world. Journalism at its best builds bridges and connects humanity: "It tells us who we are and what we mean to each other,” DeGioia commented. One idea submitted during the Summit was a new form of independent journalism, creating a not-for-profit, global media network. Sport can equally be a powerful tool in society, impacting not only health but also the development of values, and its power to affect positive change needs to be better utilized.

The Councils focusing on society and values agreed that now is "...a time of great peril and a time of great promise”, as described by Donald Tapscott, Chairman of nGenera Insight, Canada. In the face of these challenges and resources, all societies and leaders must ensure that human potential and promise is realized at the highest possible level.

Councils focusing on Society and Values

Global Agenda Council on: •  Diversity •  Empowering Youth •  Faith •  The Future of Media •  Human Equality and Respect •  The Role of Sports in Society •  The Welfare of Children

Key recommendations from Council Members in this area include:

•	Youth represent untapped potential, and need to be perceived as problem-solvers, rather than the problem. Holistic approaches to empower young people need to be taken to address the multiple dimensions across cultures and regions.
•	Children and families are at the heart of the global agenda, and issues of child welfare need to be prioritized. There is a clear economic imperative to invest in children, and a variety of stakeholders must be involved to improve education, healthcare and child protection.
•	Human equality and respect must remain a priority in this time of crisis, as exclusion, indifference and discrimination limit access to the talent pool to address pressing social and economic problems. Education and leadership are key in promoting equality and respect - ethical education by fostering the concept of the equality of human beings, and inclusive leadership through giving voice to previously excluded and marginalized groups.
•	Faith is a common thread across key contemporary challenges, including the issues of trust and integrity within the financial crisis, the relationship of religion with globalization, and faith-based approaches to conflict resolution. While religious differences can contribute to tensions and even violence between and within communities, faith can also be part of the solution, with religious communities mobilizing around core values such as human dignity, solidarity and social responsibility.

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The media sector has been hit particularly hard by the information technology and communications revolution, fundamentally questioning the role and value of the industry in its current form. Despite this, journalism as a tool for education, stimulation and information remains vital to the process of development. There needs to be a renewed and innovative model of media, with a global, independent news and information service, utilising new forms of technology to inform, educate and improve the state of the world.

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Sport is a key driver for economic growth, and can promote social cohesion and community building, with a particular impact on youth. It is important to learn to harness the potential of sport in society, at the individual, societal and corporate levels.

Councils focusing on Society and Values