Australian outlook
Wednesday, August 22, 2007 at 4:39PM Reading over the World Economic Forum regional meet agenda, I see they have me down for four panels in addition to the keynote, where I follow Harvey Mansfield, whom I missed taking a class from at Harvard. I'll pack my biggest pair ...
Besides old buddy Minxin Pei, I also see Thomas Schelling and Martin Wolf. I think Pei's the only one I might be on stage with. Too bad, because you rub shoulders when you can (briefing Henry Kissinger--in the front row--last year at Knoxville and hearing his feedback remains one of those treasured professional moments). I've exchanged emails with Wolf (his book on "why globalization works" remains the serious standard), but have never crossed paths with legendary Schelling.
I'll be equally fascinated with the "class" (as opposed to us "faculty"). I'm hoping for a real mix from all over Asia.
Guess I'll have to consider Sea-Tac a decent warm-up ....
Just to be clear, this isn't the "dream date" scenario from earlier. That's a Stateside deal later this fall. Another gig too "prestigious" to pay!
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"The wave of financial crises in the last decade has generated a consensus that the international financial system needs to be reformed. But there remain profound disagreements among policy makers and the private sector concerning how far and deep the reforms should go."
To take this matter forward the WEF had discussions with selected finance ministries and central banks of G20 countries, and held public/private roundtables around the world for two years. Moreover many research papers were requested. The result of all this was the book, 'The International Monetary System, the IMF and the G20', which was presented at Davos earlier this year.
It is unclear what has happened since. One of the research papers gives a clue: the paper suggests that the United States has little incentive to change a system that benefits it. If change is soon to take place, Asia will have to force it through; but the system is sure to collapse anyway.