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dark snowballs in davos 2025.....Sam Jacobs is Editor in Chief at TIME where he leads TIME’s global newsroom and its journalism across all platforms. Since joining TIME in 2013, Jacobs has held a variety of senior editorial leadership positions. Previously, he was national political correspondent at Reuters, associate editor at Newsweek and staff reporter for The Daily Beast. His writing has appeared in the Boston Globe and New York Observer.
World Economic Forum President Borge Brende on Planning for a ‘Geopolitical Recession’
Do you think 2025 will be politically more or less stable than 2024? We’re planning our annual meeting against the most complex geopolitical backdrop in decades. I think that will continue into 2025. In a way, we are in a geopolitical recession. Fortunately, it hasn’t impacted the global economy as badly as it could have. We’re still expecting more than 3% growth. Provided there are no further escalations of conflicts and new crises, we have to expect that 2025 will be, similarly to 2024, a challenging geopolitical year. What does “geopolitical recession” mean? It means that we are in a polarized, fragmented world where we see less cooperation than in the past, and more competition. There is more focus on national interest. That is a challenge, as many of the biggest problems we face need global solutions. This will be a critical year for the future of Europe. Where do you see the opportunities for the E.U.? I think we are at a 1918, 1945, 1989 [type of] inflection point, in many ways, because we are between orders. We had one order. There is a new order on its way, but we don’t know exactly where it is. There is a war going on in Europe, with Ukraine. A destabilized Syria could have huge impact on Europe. It will be critical that we don’t see Syria ending up in sectarian wars again, but that there can be an agreement on an inclusive way of governing the country, moving forward. Europe is also at an inflection point economically and will need to decide on how to increase its competitiveness. It is not black and white. Spain is now the fastest-growing of the OECD economies. Greece is one of the fastest-growing European economies too. And the euro is still the second most important currency in the world. But the two biggest continental powers have real challenges. Germany, more on the economy side, and France, more on the political side. What does President Donald Trump’s election tell you about what that future order will look like? I think President Trump was elected based on immigration and inflation. There will be more focus on U.S. national interests. The new world order is not defined yet, but it will be, in my view, a more multi-polar order, because there are more nations in the mix, but the U.S. is still extremely important. In one way, we have a unipolar order when it comes to defense—45% of global military capabilities are with the U.S. Trump will also be important in defining this new world order. Will this be multi-polarity with multilateralism? Or will it be multi-polarity with a clearly shrinking role for multilateralism? And economically, the U.S. is, together with China and the E.U., still extremely important. What do you hope people take away from Davos? That we have tried to identify areas where there is enough self-interest to collaborate, like cybercrime or being better prepared for future pandemics. AI at its best can be an equalizer, but it can also be winner-takes-all. We need to start a discussion of at least some basic traffic rules. Climate change: maybe we can also get some agreements. Regardless of political views on this, there is a snowball effect—$2 trillion is being invested annually in renewables. And Davos is a very good place to create those snowball effects. We’d like a lot of snowballs rolling down the hills. https://time.com/7204642/wef-president-borge-brende-davos-2025/
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SEE ALSO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIrUdPCtL6U&list=PLEbhOtC9klbDG22n--rCDbv02-n8l6agL Chilling Video from World Economic Forum Head Makes His 2025 Plans Clear
Dave Rubin of “The Rubin Report” talks about the World Economic Forum’s Klaus Schwab resorting to scare tactics about the threats to the world that he sees in 2025; attendees of the World Economic Forum pushing for more desperate measures, like ending anonymity on the internet and censoring any speech deemed “far right” after realizing they are losing the culture war; “Pod Save America’s” Tommy Vietor explaining to “Morning Joe’s” Mika Brzezinski how the tide is turning and liberal mainstream media is losing in the war against online conservative media; JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon telling CNBC’s Andrew Ross Sorkin why he made up with Elon Musk and why he has high hopes for the Department of Government Efficiency; Pierre Poilievre humiliating a CTV News host by turning his question about Donald Trump’s executive order on two genders back on him; Mike Johnson telling Fox News’ Sean Hannity why federal aid to California for the Los Angeles wildfires will most likely have some strings attached due to severe mismanagement; Eric Swalwell telling the “All-In Podcast’s” Chamath Palihapitiya why Mark Cuban may be the final hope for the Democratic Party; and much more. Dave also does a special “ask me anything” question-and-answer session on a wide-ranging host of topics, answering questions from the Rubin Report Locals community.
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windy wafts....
The protest is small but loud. As limousines drive past, a few hundred young people have gathered on the Postplatz square in Davos, Switzerland.
The high-altitude resort in the Alps that usually belongs to skiers looks different this week. Bakeries, cafes, and boutiques have been converted to host banks, companies, or whole countries for the next few days.
A pub is now called "Belgium House." The old furniture has been cleared out and chic designer furniture and large advertising posters have been put in their place.
The demonstrators outside shout "Eat the rich" and "Tax the rich." Some of them block the street. Their protest is directed at the participants of the World Economic Forum (WEF). They see the meeting, which runs from January 20-24, as a complete waste of money and time.
"We are protesting against the lobby meeting of the rich and powerful in Davos. It is clear that they are the ones responsible for the current crises," says Mirjam Hostetmann from the youth organization Young Socialists Switzerland, which is connected to the Social Democratic Party of Switzerland. The group is helping organize the demonstration under the motto "Strike WEF."
Time to speak openly and plainlyInes Yabar has a slightly different view of the event.
The young Peruvian was invited as a guest to the World Economic Forum this year. In Lima, she works with others to protect the environment, addresses social problems, and is active as a Global Shaper. This global network of young, committed people between the ages of 20 and 30 is supported by the WEF but organizes itself independently.
In Davos, Yabar wants to discuss things with those in power and build bridges, but she also plans to speak plainly. At the same time, she can understand why there are demonstrations outside.
"I feel that this shows that young people care and wherever we can we will be protesting because it is important to raise our voice about issues we are passionate about," says Yabar. "But we will also be in rooms where we can talk with people deliberately and intentionally that are making decisions that affect our future."
Global Shapers and decisions about the futureThis year, 50 Global Shapers from around the world will take part in the discussions in Davos.
They will discuss social justice, climate change, artificial intelligence (AI) and many other important topics.
Being present in Davos is an opportunity for many, especially since many young people are dissatisfied. The current situation cannot continue, says Olajumoke Adekeye.
The Nigerian member of the Global Shapers Community is appalled because only 2.8% of the world's parliamentarians are under the age of 30, she says. In sub-Saharan Africa, a large proportion of the population is under 25, but when it comes to decisions that affect their future, they are not heard. And that's why she is here.
Indeed, for the next few days her schedule is full. She will need all her energy to meet her mandate of "seeding ideas about how young people can be empowered to take on greater responsibility."
"Together both the youth within these walls and outside send a strong message that there is really change that can be made," says Adekeye, when asked about being a part of a youth delegation inside the WEF while young people protested outside.
Looking for solutions and social accountabilityAkshay Saxena from India also believes in the power of the young and is looking for change.
"Too many decisions for the majority are made by a very small group of people," he says.
He supports young talent through the organization Avanti Fellows where he is co-CEO. They focus on children from poor families who have little access to the education system.
"There are so many bright kids, exceptional people, their talent is often wasted," he muses. For his work, Saxena is being honored as the Social Entrepreneur of the Year at this year's WEF meeting.
"If capitalism is going to work, it is critical that people who own a lot, share some of their wealth. That is their social responsibility," he says.
Around 70,000 young Indians have taken part in Avanti Fellows' online courses on mathematics, technology, and various science subjects. Others receive targeted support in schools through the organization's programs.
Saxena proudly reports on participants who graduated from the renowned Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the US after receiving funding. "My approach is solution-based," he says, pulling a blanket closer to keep himself warm.
His gaze wanders over the Swiss mountains. "Problems should be solved by people who are most affected," says Saxena, reflecting on the issues at hand. "There is certainly a truth in this."
This article was originally published in German.
https://www.dw.com/en/davos-2025-youth-pressure-wealthy-elites/a-71348868
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YOURDEMOCRACY.NET RECORDS HISTORY AS IT SHOULD BE — NOT AS THE WESTERN MEDIA WRONGLY REPORTS IT.
Gus Leonisky
POLITICAL CARTOONIST SINCE 1951.
HYPOCRISY ISN’T ONE OF THE TEN COMMANDMENTS SINS.
HENCE ITS POPULARITY IN THE ABRAHAMIC TRADITIONS…
PLEASE DO NOT BLAME RUSSIA IF WW3 STARTS. BLAME AMERICA.