Bertelsmann Stiftung: 16th Salzburg Trilogue to discuss how to actively shape globalization

© Jürgen Dannenberg

Leading figures from politics, business and culture came together at the 16th Salzburg Trilogue to discuss how to actively shape globalization. A debate on sustainable and fair globalization was essential for the future. The participants agreed that active support for the goals of globalization, such as the United Nations’ sustainable development goals, had to be ensured.

Gütersloh / Salzburg, 22-Aug-2017 — /EuropaWire/ — The 2017 Salzburg Trilogue, sponsored organized by the Bertelsmann Stiftung, dealt with the complex phenomena presented by globalization. The topic of the conference was “A Closer Look at Globalization – The Positive and Negative Facets of a Complex Phenomenon.” The debate focused not only on international trade and manufacturing, but also on the free exchange of ideas and knowledge, the reciprocal influences of cultures and traditions, as well as international migration.

The 29 participants from 15 countries came to the conclusion that politics, business and culture need to actively engage with the challenges of globalization. Their central demand: to more closely pursue the United Nations’ sustainable development goals (SDG) in order to safeguard standards in the key areas of sustainability, business ethics, and the rule of law. After two rounds of intense discussions, the participants agreed that actively shaping the future of globalization was the way forward. It was necessary to learn from the past and develop strategies for managing globalization.

Liz Mohn, initiator of the Salzburg Trilogue, underscored this at the beginning of the event: “Globalization’s accelerating pace over the last decades has amplified the interdependence of countries, regions and continents, while the parallel expansion of international trade relations has surely contributed to prosperity and thereby also world peace. Never before have people around the world enjoyed so many opportunities for development. Never before has the risk of being impacted by the repercussions of a crisis been so great. Hence, many are anxious about what the future holds and want for orientation. We are lacking common goals. We therefore have to ask ourselves: What are the goals of globalization?”

The participants adopted the Salzburg Recommendations at the end of the conference, which will be conveyed to EU institutions as well as international organizations after the Trilogue.  These recommendations aim to support local and regional entities, as well as individuals, to cope better with managing change. Education opportunities were identified as essential for dealing positively with the effects of globalization. Defining concrete goals for globalization should help preserve the positive effects of globalization. This would include fair and sustainable international trade, courses of action for legal migration and against illegal migration, and the potential for collaboration to combat international crime and the shadow economy. At the same time, attention should be paid to the legitimate concerns and fears stemming from the negative effects of globalization.

Additional information

The Bertelsmann Stiftung’s Salzburg Trilogue took place for the 16th time this year. This annual event brings together a small circle of international figures to address shifting future-oriented issues. This exchange of ideas, initiated by the Bertelsmann Stiftung, foregrounds diverse perspectives from business, politics and culture. Through dedicated discussions about values and principles, the trilogue has established itself as an extraordinary event over the years.

SOURCE: Bertelsmann Stiftung

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