Davos 2008: Martin Dickson reflects on Davos
As the WEF 2008 winds down, FT’s deputy editor considers what’s been achieved
Davos 2008
Resources
The annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, the Swiss ski resort, brings together many of the world’s most powerful people in an informal setting. In 2008, the economic challenges facing the world dominate discussions.
Multimedia
Official website
A global summit rocked by world events
Overview: No schedule could have planned for the events that coincided with this year’s forum, but it ensured there was much fuel for debate
Grim determination on the economy
Davos highlights: Chris Giles on the contrasting approaches to the threat of recession by US and European policymakers - and a bombshell from the IMF
Pressure for new oversight of global finance
Davos highlights: Gillian Tett on delegates’ fears that policymakers lost control of events - and the lack of consensus on what to do about it
Business optimism counters economists’ gloom
Davos highlights: Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson on optimism in the developing economies, coporate social responsibility and resource scarcity
Related content and features
Video
Davos 2008: Bahrain confident Gulf growth will continue
Bahrain Finance Minister says oil prices supporting economy
Davos daily news show
Today’s edition features EU Internal Market Commissioner Charlie McCreevy, South African Finance Minister Trevor Manuel, US Trade Representative Susan Schwab, BBC Director of Vision Jana Bennett, and Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn
Blogs
So much for decoupling
Howard Davies, LSE: India, Japan and France all deliver upbeat messages, but the ultimate economic message is depressing
Death, disease and Bono the waiter
Jasmine Whitbread, Save the Children: There’s plenty of deal-making and discussion around development issues - and some unconventional serving staff
Time to leave town
Stephen Roach, Morgan Stanley: Economic optimism bounced back during Davos, but the US authorities have learned nothing from the latest bubble-induced implosion
Politics versus economics
Ian Bremmer, Eurasia Group: Davos represents the hope of economics triumphing over politics - but the influence of politics on markets is growing
FT Guide to Davos
Note from the Editor
Lionel Barber says this year’s forum is taking place against a sharply different economic and political backdrop than in 2007
Doing business at Davos
Global issues dominate the official agenda, but the world’s chief executives inevitably talk business and strike deals
The global summit in the Alps
John Gapper examines what convinces the world’s business and political leaders to ascend a Swiss mountain every year
Interview: Klaus Schwab
The founder of the World Economic Forum on how the annual meeting grew from a small family affair into the giant of today
More Davos stories
YOUR VIEW
18.4%