“We are proud to be invited to this year’s State of
the World Forum. It’s one of the most influential and
diverse gatherings of world leaders, convened for the first
time by Mikhail Gorbachev in 1995. This year around 800
networking leaders and activists in business, science,
academia, politics, religion and the arts come together in
San Francisco from October 27 to November 1,” says Jan Oberg
who has been asked to contribute to the Forum’s Coexistence
and Community-Building Initiative.
The Forum’s mission is ‘to establish a global network of
leaders and change agents who come together for both
discussions and action. It does this in the conviction that
it is networks of committed individuals and institutions
which are emerging as principal sources of innovation and
effectiveness, thereby reframing and invigorating civil
society.’
Jan Oberg: “The incredible diversity of the State of the
World Forum is its major strength. You find grassroots
interacting with the gatekeepers of capital and power. I
have understood that the Forum is unique in its breadth and
scope and its willingness to place the issue of spirituality
on a par with economic, scientific, cultural and political
discussions. It gives priority to gender parity and the full
inclusion of youth. I find its Strategic Initiatives urgent
as they include collaborative action on nuclear and
conventional weapons, environmental health, child
development, coexistence, and micro-enterprise development.
The Forum is an innovative tool to promote an increased
sense of personal and civic responsibility by exploring new
models of connecting people and alternative futures.
The fact that the Forum’s discussions are broadcast
through national and worldwide media including BBC, CNN, and
C-Span secures a global reach which is so important. This
year, the Forum’s foci include themes and issues such
as:
• The Public Use of Private Interest • Civil
Society: Self-Governance and New Citizenship • How
Technology is Wiring and Transforming the World •
International Understanding Beyond the Politics of Conflict
• Philosophy and Faith – Searching for Meaning •
Global Initiatives on Investing in Women • Forgiveness
and Healing • Ethics in a Global Economy • How to
Deal with Weapons of Mass Destruction • Youth and
Strategic Social Change • The Fusion of Biotech and
Digital Technology and, of course, the 50th Anniversary of
the UN Human Rights Declaration.
It seems to me that this Forum promises to be pleasantly
different from the traditional summits of government leaders
only – G7, World Bank/IMF, NATO, EU – you just name them and
we are bored when we watch those leaders participate in
photo sessions. In contrast, this Forum looks exciting,
innovative and directed with vision towards truly global
issues, not just those of the West or the most powerful.
TFF’s participation, I hope, will lead to a long-term,
sustainable partnership with many of the other participants
and the Forum organization itself. So, it’s a great
opportunity for us all,” concludes Jan Oberg.
