|
|
- Info
A-listers, politicians jostle at summit
An eclectic mix of the world's most influential politicos, business leaders and performers is set to meet this week at the annual event known as the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where participants will discuss everything from G8 initiatives on Africa to promoting global free trade. This year's summit theme of "Taking responsibility for tough choices" is a departure from years past, where fears of terrorism and rising oil prices dominated the agenda. Chicago Sun-Times/Associated Press (1/26)
A-listers, politicians jostle at summit
January 26, 2005
BY ALEXANDER G. HIGGINS
|
DAVOS, Switzerland -- What do you get if you mix Angelina Jolie with Bill Clinton and Bill Gates at the annual summit of the rich, famous and powerful in the snowy Alps? A discussion with the presidents of South Africa and Nigeria on reducing poverty and fighting AIDS.
Bono and Richard Gere are among the other celebrities drawn to the Swiss ski resort of Davos for the chance to rub shoulders with government and business leaders at the five-day World Economic Forum beginning today.
''Taking responsibility for tough choices'' is the theme for this year's meetings, organized into a tightly packed choice of 220 sessions from breakfast time until midnight. Many more meetings take place behind the scenes.
The toughest choices for participants include selecting from the bewildering lists of discussions -- many of which are over meals.
They range from discussions on the world economy or individual country's problems and prospects to more self-centered themes like ''knowing your own mind.''
A ''cultural leaders dinner'' Friday gives participants a chance to meet with Gere, who has campaigned for Tibetan rights, and Jolie, a goodwill ambassador for the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees. The other scheduled guests include Sharon Stone and Carole Bouquet, as well as architects, musicians and other artists.
Bono, Clinton and Gates will meet with South African President Thabo Mbeki and Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo to discuss ''The G-8 and Africa -- Rhetoric or Action?''
''Poverty reduction is the keystone of the G-8 agenda for 2005. While most of the developing world is experiencing rapid growth, Africa is falling further behind,'' the program note says. ''One in two Africans lives on less than one dollar a day and the scourge of conflict continues unabated while HIV tightens its destructive stranglehold.'' AP
Copyright © The Sun-Times Company
All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Forgot your password?
A New Dawn
