GLOBAL CREATIVE LEADERSHIP SUMMIT - Artinfo

Trade and Economic Development
Trade and economic development have been the most effective instruments of poverty alleviation during the past 20 years, with almost half
the gains made in China. They can play a similar role in Africa and also aid in defusing protracted regional conflicts such as those in the Middle
East. This is because economic development not only enables greater consumption, but gives individuals, groups and communities hope and
tools to better their situation. A major problem in Gaza and the West Bank, beyond the continued fighting, is the Palestinians’ inability to grow
their own economy through export and trade. This lack of control has resulted in feelings of hopelessness and loss of dignity, with many taking
up arms as the only solution.
The Doha Round trade talks were initiated by the United States shortly after September 11, 2001 in the belief that greater openness, sharing
and trade will increase prosperity in developing and developed nations alike, persuading those in need to realize their potential rather than
turn to violence and terrorism. Although difficult to realize in a trade agreement, as we have seen over the past several years, this ambition
still speaks to the central role of trade and economic development in enabling individuals and communities to better themselves and work
together to reach their goals. It is only through cooperation and mutual support and trust that we can truly turn such challenges as the financial
crisis, climate change, terrorism and poverty in Africa into opportunities.
With a multidisciplinary approach emphasizing culture, science, policy and economics, the Global Creative Leadership Summit seeks to identify
best practices and generate innovative solutions to the challenges of globalization. Our aim is to provide a forum for discussion and reflection
among leaders of global agencies, industry, science, technology and the arts as well as heads of state to better prepare countries, corporations
and individuals for our present and future challenges.
We simply cannot afford to maintain the status quo. Our primary obstacle is the difficulty of replacing or transforming methods we have
become accustomed to over decades. How can we develop measures to avoid rather than create emergencies, of which the global financial
crisis is only the latest instance?
If we do not halt climate change, not only will our ecosystem and economy suffer harm, but the brunt of that harm will be borne by those in
the developing world. If we do not address African poverty, we risk exacerbating conflict and strife lasting generations. If we do not bring the
Middle East conflict to a peaceful conclusion, there will be greater radicalization and terror. These are not someone else’s problems; they affect
all of us—our well-being and our collective security. By working together at the local and global levels, we may steer through our current crises
and develop sound policies, corporations, institutions and practices to carry us into the future.
I hope you can join us at the 2009 Global Creative Leadership Summit this September.
Sincerely,
Louise Blouin MacBain
Founder and Chairman
Louise Blouin Foundation
THE GLOBAL CREATIVE LEADERSHIP SUMMIT
www.creativeleadershipsummit.org
LOUISE BLOUIN FOUNDATION