The 34th St. Gallen Symposium took place at the University of St. Gallen between 13–15 May 2004, with “The Challenges to Growth and Prosperity” as its general theme. For three days, 600 decision-makers from business, society and politics, as well as 200 students from 58 nations, had the opportunity for a constructive exchange of views on the questions and challenges we face concerning growth and prosperity.
Global society and
the separate national economies are marked by constant insecurity and deep-rooted conflicts between
the different cultures. Immovable barriers seem to stand in the way of political reform in many areas.
Having found a way out of the immediate crisis, business is faced with the challenge of creating strategic
and structural incentives in order to promote corporate growth and secure innovation in the long-term.
The 34th St. Gallen Symposium offered a chance to exchange ideas openly while developing and discussing
a long-term approach to solving the problems before the modest recovery changes the way we view the
obstacles to growth and affluence and restricts the scope of criticism.
This
anthology contains all keynote speeches from the most recent “3 Days in May” and covers an impressive
cross section of the views expressed by prominent figures whose contributions served as the starting
point for a dialogue that transcended generations and cultures, as well as the inspiration for creative
thinking and individual reflection. Accordingly, the ISC would like to extend its warm thanks to the
esteemed members of the faculty. A special thanks from the ISC also goes to this year’s Chairpersons,
Lord Griffiths of Fforestfach and Ms. Christine Lagarde; with their broad knowledge, they were once
again impressive in guiding us through the programme with the necessary resolution and diplomacy.
The
members of the Board of Trustees of the St. Gallen Foundation have played
a prominent
part in the success
of the 34th St. Gallen Symposium. The intensive support, great personal commitment – especially from
the Chairman Dr. Josef Ackermann – and the trust and confidence they have shown deserve a sincere word
of thanks from the ISC.
The 176 students of
the University of St. Gallen who, with their selfless hard work as members of the Support Crew gave
more than 1,000 participants an unforgettable “3 Days in May”, have earned our special appreciation
and thanks. Furthermore, since its foundation, the ISC considers itself extremely fortunate to have
been able to enjoy the hospitality of the University of St. Gallen.
In
closing, the ISC would also like to thank all members of the Circle of Benefactors and sponsors whose
moral and material support forms the basis of our student initiative, as well as each and every one
of the participants who, through their personal commitment, have allowed the dialogue at the 34th St. Gallen
Symposium to become a reality.
