Between Geneva and Davos, how to go from idea to action?
During the World Economic Forum, the Swiss House hosted Geneva Day. This event presents the initiatives born in the city of Calvin and that shine internationally, at the crossroads of planetary issues: sustainability, inclusion, innovation, technologies, work transformation and digital trust were at the meeting point of discussions. Report.
This week, as movie stars walk the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival, another scene is shaping up to be the heart of Graubünden. In Davos, for five days, tech giants and some of the most influential people on the planet (minus China and Russia!) Economic Forum.
On the sidelines of the Forum, for three years, Swiss presence invested the Swiss house located inside the Davos Ice Stadium. At the heart of innovation, at the intersection of the academic sector and the economic world, my activity to – Pulse HES Incubator led me to participate in Geneva Day. Organized by Swiss Mission to the UNthis whole day is dedicated to the many initiatives launched by our Cité, which shine at an international level.
With Alexandre Edelmann, marketing and campaigns manager at Presence Switzerland.
Enriching and instructive in more ways than one, the interventions of high-ranking personalities filled me with hope that we will (finally) move from words to deeds in the face of emergencies facing our world.
Sustainable strategies at the highest level and at all levels
Under the impulse of Jonathan Normand, CEO of BLab Switzerlandand André Hoffman, vice president of to swingan alliance of CEOs and board members has come together under the banner of the Swiss Councils for the 2030 Agenda.
Participants at the official launch of SBA2030 in Davos – May 23, 2022.
Initially, 21 companies committed at the highest level to create sustainable and resilient strategies to accelerate the implementation of the goals set by the United Nations. It is about building an economy based on the inclusion of all stakeholders and, as Suzanne Ruoff reminded us, “to engage in the process of change, the support of each person, at all levels, is decisive”. Hats off to Nicolas de Toledo, Patrick Headon and the entire BLab team for bringing this community together.
Promote a positive use of technology?
Is technology positive, negative or should it be considered neutral, like Switzerland? The whole question is what we do with it. The panel, presented by the Federal Councilor, Ignazio Cassis and by the State Councilor, Nathalie Fontanet, presented concrete actions to promote the positive use of technologies.
The Geneva Anticipatory Science and Diplomacy Foundation (GESDA)represented that day by the Director General of CERN, Mrs. Fabiola Gianoti, is an example of this. By bringing together scientific communities around the great challenges of our planet, this institution allows us to anticipate technological advances to develop solutions for a sustainable future.
A way of apprehending the future that seems to join the vision of the Swiss Center for Positive Futures, directed by Isabelle Chappuis. The implementation ofNGO GIGAmentioned by Mrs. Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Director ofInternational Telecommunications Union is another example of joint action by theITU and UNICEF which works for the access of young people to information and technology around the world, thus demonstrating the considerable efforts to make the use of technologies a POSITIVE FORCE.
People at the heart of work transformation
With the advent of technologies in all spheres of our lives, and exacerbated since we were forced to profoundly change our ways of working, our (professional) environment has become Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous (VICA). Transformation in the world of work is underway and the speed of change is accelerating.
As Rick Samans, director of research atInternational Labor Organizationand Christophe Catoir, President ofadecoto cope with geopolitical, economic and social pressures, people must constantly be placed at the centre.
“WEF continues to remind us that soft skills are the skills of tomorrow, education must therefore fully integrate this dimension.”
Finally, the measure of success can no longer be limited to productivity, it must absolutely take into account the well-being of employees and prioritize the balance between private and professional life. It is a balance for which the new generations are no longer willing to compromise.
Restoring digital trust
This intense and rich day of learning ended with the presentation of the Swiss Digital Initiative and the launch of its first Digital Trustmark, already granted to the digital services of several Swiss companies. Commitments made by personalities such as Doris Leuthard and Peter Brabeck three years ago are materializing in action today, reaffirming to me the idea that we have surpassed a milestone, that of taking action.
Panel discussion around digital trust.
Each topic dealt with for a day by these eminent experts leads me to believe that the Davos audience realized an essential point: younger generations understand the challenges of a sustainable future, are committed and wait for managers. every day at -Pulse, we support projects driven by the search for meaning. Driven by future entrepreneurs who combine ambition and well-being, these start-ups aim to have a positive impact on the planet and integrate the principles defended by the brand. BCorp. These young shoots of Geneva Universities of Applied Sciences give us as much hope as the great decision makers of this world.
When is Davos for younger generations?
Caroline Widmer – Pulse HES Incubator
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