Press Release

Published 15.01.2010 Author: World Economic Forum, Federation of Swiss Protestant Churches

Recognition, discussion and change: the Open Forum Davos

The Open Forum Davos is being held for the eighth time from 28 to 30 January 2010 – parallel to the World Economic Forum. The public are invited to join in discussion with civic, political and business personalities. The expected line-up includes Pascale Bruderer, Joseph Stiglitz, Christine Lagarde, Patrick Odier and Thomas Wipf.

Jointly organized by the Federation of Swiss Protestant Churches and the World Economic Forum, the Open Forum Davos highlights critical engagement with globalization and its repercussions. Questions this year include the consequences of the financial crisis and climate change. The Forum will also be discussing the connection between religion and violence, reviewing Barack Obama's first year in office, and debating the role of Switzerland as misfit or model.

This year again sees high-profile guests participating in the panels. The expected line-up includes Swiss National Council Speaker Pascale Bruderer, Nobel Prize laureate Joseph Stiglitz and French Economics Minister Christine Lagarde. Also expected are Thomas Wipf, President of the Council of the Federation of Swiss Protestant Churches, Riz Khan, Al Jazeera journalist and ex-CNN anchorman, and Patrick Odier, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Swiss Bankers' Association.

The events of the Open Forum Davos are open to the public free of charge. The venue is the hall of the Swiss Alpine Mittelschule, Guggerbachstrasse 3, Davos Platz. Languages of discussion are German and English, with simultaneous interpreting. After the first round of panel discussion, the debate is opened to the floor. Members of the public are encouraged to challenge the panellists with hot topics and controversial views.

Switzerland's DRS television will be relaying individual sessions of the Open Forum Davos live on its SF Info channel, followed by reporting round-ups. Full information and thorough reporting on the forthcoming Open Forum Davos are also available at the website www.openforumdavos.ch. The website will also offer the complete panel discussions as webcasts for download.

An updated flyer is available today at www.openforumdavos.ch with the full programme, ready for download.
An updated flyer is available today at www.openforumdavos.ch

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