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Building partnerships for a sustainable future
The OECD Forum has become a landmark in the life of the Organisation - an event that brings together leaders from business, labour and civil society to discuss and debate with government ministers and leaders of international organisations. The year 2001 will be a special occasion as two cross-cutting OECD studies - on sustainable development and on the sources of economic growth - will be at the heart of both the OECD Forum and the Ministerial.
Is the planet on a path of sustainable development? No, not without considerable changes in order to break the link between economic growth and environmental degradation. One highlight of the Forum will be a series of round-tables on sustainable development - an important initiative of the Danish and French governments - which will provide a major input into OECD Ministers session on sustainable development.
Is there a 'new economy'? Yes, but …, even when countries are awash with new technologies, it takes human skills and talent both to operate them and to undertake the reorganisation of work and commercial relationships that can improve productivity and lift growth potential. And we must not ignore the risk of a digital divide both within OECD countries and between developing and developed countries..
As I reflect on the challenges of charting a sustainable future, I recall the comment from the late historian Lewis Mumford who said, " I am optimistic about the possibilities, pessimistic about the probabilities!".
For my part, I am optimistic about both, including the probabilities. But success will also depend on building strong partnerships between government, business, labour and civil society. Stakeholders must be fully involved in the difficult policy choices almost every modern issue entails if we are to put the planet on a path of sustainable development and reap the full benefits of the 'new economy'. In this regard, I am very happy that OECD Forum 2001 is taking place at la Cité des sciences et de l'industrie, an institution devoted to public dialogue and the adventure of learning.
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