Catalysing the Benefits of Globalization
Horasis convened the 2019 Horasis Global Meeting in Cascais, Portugal over 6-9 April. The annual Horasis Global Meeting is one of the world’s foremost gatherings of business and government leaders, offering an ideal platform to explore and foster cooperation, impact investing, and sustainable growth across the world. As in previous years, the Global Meeting attracted over 800 world leaders from over 70 countries to discuss the current resentment of globalization centering discussions around the theme of “Catalyzing the Benefits of Globalization”, noting globalization has always been with us, and will continue – but we need to have more harmonious interactions to facilitate trade. This was opined also by Armen Sarkissian, President of Armenia who was concerned to manage national and regional pressures equitably. And Hage G. Geingob, President of Namibia stated that his nation was positioning to be a regional hub for South West Africa and thus was an active catalyst proving the benefits of globalization. Download the report and visit the photo gallery.
 |
 |
 |
| Hage G. Geingob, President of Namibia | Armen Sarkissian, President of Armenia | HH Princess Märtha Louise of Norway |
Delegates were welcomed during the Gala Dinner by Pedro Siza Vieira, Minister of Economy, Portugal. He illustrated the present success story of Portugal and its economy predicting its continued success. All, he said, this was based on a participatory democracy that had the government caring for its people at home and abroad who in turn cared for and supported the government.
During a plenary session, HH Princess Märtha Louise of Norway said we are too disconnected, we have to start to connect with Mother Earth – so let’s have action, not just words. Dhurata Hoxha, Minister of European Integration, Kosovo also concurred with such measures following the conflicts in Kosovo which is aided by its dialogue with the EU. Even so, she suggested the EU needs to transform to project peace and stability. Dace Melbarde, Minister for Culture, Latvia looked to actively support entrepreneurs as they develop new thrusts for an economy.
 |
 |
| Pedro Siza Vieira, Minister of Economy, Portugal | Dhurata Hoxha, Minister of European Integration, Kosovo |
Throughout the meeting we returned to three conundrums – Brexit, trade disputes and cyber-security acknowledging that complexity had not been thought through, allowing unintended consequences to develop that will take time to alleviate. For Brexit it was not possible to presume on the earlier time before Brexit, as geo-politics and trade interactions have developed into today’s globalized integrations suggested Peter Grant, Member of Parliament, Spokesperson on Brexit for the Scottish National Party, United Kingdom. Similarly, with trade disputes – delegates agreed throughout the meeting that trade, no matter if it was local or global will continue and any tariffs would be absorbed. It was the velocity of change that was difficult to absorb, emphasized by Jerzy Kwiecinski, Minister of Investment and Economic Development, Poland. And lastly cybercrime, while this was deplored, we noted spying had long existed. Indeed, Chinese strategist Sun Zhu from over 2,000 years ago had stated that one must know one’s enemy before engaging. Quite strikingly, Galia Benartzi, Co-Founder, Bancor, Switzerland suggested we ought to take a more reasoned approach to reduce hysteria as the major powers knew everything about one, and could retrieve our data instantly.
 |
 |
| Helen Clark, Former Prime Minister, New Zealand | Plenary Catalyzing Globalization’s Rebirth chaired by Nik Gowing, Founder and Director, Thinking the Unthinkable |
Bujar Osmani, Deputy Prime Minister, North Macedonia considered that having Western Balkans outside the EU offered a hole needing to be filled – far better by the EU than any other state. Now the government is glad, after a gap of many years, to officially welcome a Greek government visit to North Macedonia to develop and regularize cooperation into the future. In a further plenary José Manuel Barroso, Vice Chairman, Goldman Sachs International; Former President, European Commission, Portugal thought that one time the benefits of the EU were unclear but now the rebuilding, the economy, even life-expectancy are all increasing with greater globalization bringing many benefits to the people. And towards the meeting’s conclusion, Mohamed Ahmed Awad, Minister of Investment, Somaliland stressed the future is about purpose, inclusiveness, trust and responsibility; while Helen Clark, Former Prime Minister, New Zealand looked for a greater transparency into what leaders see and think about the trends which will develop the trust of citizens.
 |
 |
| The Horasis team celebrating the success of the 2019 Horasis Global Meeting | Participants discovering Cascais |
Through this highly successful meeting where new avenues were discussed, new friends created and undoubtedly new ventures explored Horasis was supported by the City of Cascais and the Government of Portugal.
The co-chairs were:
 |
Esko Aho, Chairman, Cinia Oy; Former Prime Minister Finland |
 |
José Manuel Barroso, Chairman, Goldman Sachs International; Former President, European Commission, Portugal |
 |
Galia Benartzi, Co-Founder, Bancor, Switzerland |
 |
Uzoma Dozie, Chief Executive Officer, Diamond Bank, Nigeria |
 |
Brian A. Gallagher, President and Chief Executive Officer, United Way Worldwide, USA |
 |
Megan Jing Li, Managing Director, Shanghai iMega Industry Co., China |
 |
Eva-Lotta Sjöstedt, Chief Executive Officer, Georg Jensen, Denmark |
 |
Nandini Sukumar, Chief Executive Officer, The World Federation of Exchanges, United Kingdom |
 |
Ann Winblad, Managing Partner, Hummer Winblad Venture Partners, USA |
 |
Deborah Wince-Smith, President, United States Council on Competitiveness, USA |
 |
Vladimir Yakunin, Chairman, Dialogue of Civilizations Research Institute, Russia |
Cascais is conveniently located 30 minutes from Lisbon Airport. With its enchanting location right on the Atlantic, it is one of Europe’s truly legendary resorts. As in 2017 and 2018, the Horasis Global Meeting is held in partnership with the City of Cascais and the Portuguese Government.
About Horasis:
Horasis – a global visions community committed to enacting visions for a sustainable future – provides a unique platform for companies from emerging and developed markets to globalize their organisations. In addition to the Horasis Global Meeting, Horasis hosts summits with a focus on China, India, and South East Asia.
‘Portugal’s prospects for economic growth are positive and strong.
Maria Manuel Leitão Marques, Minister of the Presidency, Portugal
Economic policies and programmes begin to pay off. Cape Verde is the investment destination of the future.
Ulisses Correia e Silva, Prime Minister of Cape Verde
Technology will destroy jobs, but it will create others we cannot even imagine. Europe is well positioned to embrace technology.
Carlos Moedas, European Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation
Governments need to foster innovation and healthy competition.
Deborah Wince-Smith, President, United States Council on Competitiveness, USA
Sharing the planet with each other fairly and equitably is not only ethical but also the key to our survival.
Mohamed ElBaradei, Former Vice-President of Egypt, Nobel Peace Prize 2005
We have to translate Mandela’s legacy into our times.
Mac Maharaj, Former Minister of Transport, South Africa
Europe needs to be the world’s leader in technology, economy and peace.
Kristian Jensen, Minister of Finance, Denmark
Humanity increasingly values the skills of art and role of women.
Lila Tretikov, Chief Executive Officer, Terrawatt Initiative, France
It is time for Africa to take control of its own destiny.
Robert Dussey, Minister of Foreign Affairs & Cooperation, Togo
The Brazilian government is stimulating cultural entrepreneurship as imagination is our largest wealth.
Sérgio Sá Leitão, Minister of Culture of Brazil, Brazil
Globalisation is here to stay – but must be managed fairly.
Cristina Fonseca, Co-Founder, Talkdesk, Portugal
As a CEO I have to be the first to be fulfilled.
Shireen Shelleh, Managing Director, Center for Engineering and Planning, Palestine
We need to reinvent the concept of the city, as ecologically friendly shelter of creativity.
Marte Mjøs Persen, Mayor, City of Bergen, Norway
We need to empower women at the workplace.
Yumiko Murakami, Director, OECD Tokyo Centre, Japan
We need to embrace business models based on mutuality.
Heaven Bereket, Co-Founder, BaoBabFund, Ghana