A Tällberg conversation was held in Moscow, Russia, on May 26th 2009. This was an afternoon gathering of forty decision makers from different sectors in Russia on “Leadership through the converging crises.”
Tällberg Conversation in Moscow, Russia
“Leadership through the converging crises”
Tuesday, May 26, 2009 The purpose of the meeting was to stage a systems-based conversation around some of the most pressing issues for business, politics and society today. It was an opportunity to reflect on the immediate questions that develop as we see financial, economic, ecological and social crises converge.
At this conversation, input was given by Mr Bo Ekman, the founder and chairman of the Tällberg Foundation, Mr Anders Wijkman, Vice Chairman of the Tällberg Foundation and Member of the European Parliament, Dr Dmitry Zimin, Founder and Chairman of the Dynasty Foundation, Sergei Guriev, Morgan Stanley Professor of Economics and Rector, New Economic School, Evgeny Shvarts, Director of Conservation Policy, WWF Russia, Aleksandr Timofeev, Managing partner, MTD Development, among others.
This meeting was jointly organised by the Tällberg Foundation and the Swedish Institute, in cooperation with the Embassy of Sweden in Russia.
BackgroundWe are currently witnessing how a financial crisis has triggered the deep real economy crisis that now is spreading around the world with undiminished strength. Transition economies and mature states alike face a new situation of mass unemployment, deficits and economic decline. Russia and other resource dependent regions face an additional strain.
Wherever one looks, decision-makers are on “terra incognita.” Economic predictions and political promises during the last decade have not come about. Voices of warning have been few. There have been practically no preparations for anything other than steady unbroken growth, “business as usual.” Few have applied a precautionary principle, with respect to either the economy or the environment.
How will the crisis continue to play out over the next few months, years and over the long term? What are the possible consequences? And how will the economic and policy landscape look “on the other side” of the crisis?
It is high time to begin formulating and articulating the difficult questions in order to discuss strategic political and business decisions in the right context. Decisions must point out a way forward that is more sustainable than the one that led to today’s collapse. Great pressures are now put upon the institutions and mechanisms for cooperation and problem solving.
Unlike earlier crises, we are not facing a set of local or regional difficulties, but a truly global challenge. We also see how more profound imbalances around the world that have been with us for decades are becoming apparent and making the situation even worse. Economies heavily dependent on natural resources are in for an even more turbulent ride.
The seriousness of the crisis is heightened by the precarious ecological problems, including global warming that is being generated by modern society’s economic activity and energy system.
Over the last 10-15 years environmental and climate issues have become all the more an important factor influencing societal and economic development; the endurance and stability of globalization.
“Mainstream” political and economic visions have now hit the wall. However, in this there is also an opening – an opportunity to learn to manage smarter and with greater foresight, to rethink strategies and policies, and to trust less in utopias. Will we gather ourselves to a common and provident action? It remains to be seen.
Draft program (in English)
Draft program and concept paper (in Russian)