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”.
