39th St. Gallen Symposium
The 39th St. Gallen Symposium took place from 7–9 May 2009 on the campus of the University of St. Gallen, Switzerland. A considerable number of entrepreneurs, politicians and scientists came together with 200 students and some 100 media representatives from around the globe to discuss the current issues under the heading Revival of Political and Economic Boundaries.
With the topic Revival of Political and Economic Boundaries, participants in the 39th St. Gallen Symposium explored new opportunities, fields and strategies of entrepreneurial and political activity against the backdrop of a fundamentally changing world order. Following a period of rapid global economic growth during which political and economic boundaries were only of marginal importance – when considering the world economy and globalisation – we have become aware once again that despite the flow of global trade and technological advances location and distance are still key considerations for political and economic activity. With the current global economic crisis the role of the state has been legitimised to an extent that would have been inconceivable during the time of the economic boom and the rapid integration of the markets. Will the ongoing changes force companies that are based on an international value creation model to give more weight to considerations of geographic, political and economic boundaries in the future? And will this open up new opportunities for political and corporate players to shape and define economic and social development and hence to reposition themselves on the world stage? These were only two of many questions that were raised during the different discussion at this year’s symposium.
The members of the 39th ISC-Team hope that the “3 Days in May” gave participants an important insight into some of the present key questions and challenges and provided a fresh impetus for their daily activities. The aim of this compilation of keynote lectures is to present the views and opinions expressed at the St. Gallen Symposium, which hopefully will lead to further discussions and reflection.
Our warmest thanks go to the excellent members of the faculty who enriched the St. Gallen dialogue with their ideas and proposed action plans. A special word of thanks goes to the chairmen Lord Griffiths of Fforestfach and Mark C. Medish, who displayed an impressive wealth of knowledge and expertise and which played a significant role in the debates through which they led with brilliance, a lot of humour and charm.
The ISC cordially thanks the members of the Board of Trustees of the St. Gallen Foundation for International Studies for their precious support and in particular its Chairman Dr. Josef Ackermann, whose enthusiasm and personal commitment considerably contributed to the success of the 39th St. Gallen Symposium.
The outstanding support and tireless effort of some 300 students of the University of St. Gallen made the symposium possible. The ISC expresses its sincere gratitude to them for their major contribution to the unique atmosphere on the university campus. It also likes to thank the University of St. Gallen and especially its President, Prof. Dr. Ernst Mohr, for his generosity in allowing the University of St. Gallen to host this event.
Last but definitely not least, the 39th ISC-Team sincerely thanks the members of the Circle of Benefactors, the participants of this year’s symposium, as well as the donators and sponsors whose conceptual and financial support laid the foundation and thus enabled the success of the 39th St. Gallen Symposium. This tremendous support in difficult times was one of the most enriching and motivating experiences the 39th ISC-Team made during the year and proved once more that the St. Gallen spirit goes beyond the “3 Days in May”.