My second day at WEF Latin America proved to be sobering as we dove into the world’s deepest crises. Here’s a wrap up of the day in quotes…
- “The Euro crisis is very profound and if we don’t strengthen financial institutions we risk further contagion.” –Martin Senn, CEO, Zurich Insurance Group
- “Latin America is cause for optimism–its banking system is more than sound compared to Europe’s, and Mexico’s free trade policy promises prosperity.” –Martin Senn
- “We will soon need to feed ‘2 more Chinas’ — yet 800 million go to bed hungry today. The world needs private investment so we can produce enough food using the same amount of water and land.” –Angel Gurria, Secretary-General, Organization for Economic Development
- “We run a serious risk of losing a generation of future innovators if we don’t solve the global youth unemployment crisis.” –Jeffrey Joerres, Chairman and CEO, Manpower Group
- “The talent/skill mismatch is expanding–companies need to offer more apprenticeships –and we need to bring honor back to skilled trades.” —Jeffrey Joerres
- “America’s drug control policies are directly responsible for much of the drug-related violence and organized crime in Latin America.” —Ethan Nadelmann, Director, Drug Policy Alliance (USA)
- “We are not stupid. America has had a drug control policy for 40 years based on prevention, treatment and enforcement. Results take decades.” —William Brownfield, Assistant Secretary, Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement, Dept of State (USA)
- “Prohibition (of alcohol) happened because people could envision it. The problem is our government can’t envision a prohibition on drugs.” —Ethan Nadelmann
- “The US Government is open for debate on drug policy. We expect a proposal with specifics.”–William Brownfield
- “The way to reduce the harm of drugs is for America to decriminalize possession, legalize cannibas, and open government clinics for addicts–just like the Swiss and Dutch did.” —Ethan Nadelmann
I left WEF fired up so I contacted Ethan Nadelmann and offered to help spread his brave message.
Getting outside of our cocoons to make a difference has never been so important. I’d urge you to do so today.
