The first edition of the “New World, New Capitalism” symposium, co-chaired by Nicolas Sarkozy and Tony Blair, was conceived of during the spring of 2008. Only a few months later, the world underwent the upheaval of the greatest financial crisis since the Great Depression.
The participants in that first symposium did not conceal their apprehensions, or the difficulties inherent in the implementation of binding regulatory frameworks. They told us of the possible emergence of a “new world” rooted in “new values”.
Today, in January 2010, the hope is rising again that we may exit the crisis and gradually usher in a new growth cycle, despite the fact that a number of experts still point to the structural shortcomings of the world economy and that the most pessimistic among them even hint at the threat of a new crisis.
The time has therefore come to take stock of the progress made and to outline new perspectives. Did we manage the crisis adequately? What form can we give to the new governance? In the aftermath of the crisis, should we adopt a new world-view?
I wish you all a very fruitful participation in this second edition of our symposium, which from now on will be held annually during the first week of January.
Eric BESSON