Gutmann, faculty members attend World Economic Forum in Davos

On Monday, Penn President Amy Gutmann and many faculty members returned to campus after attending the five-day World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

The WEF — an annual event that hosts thousands of leaders who work in and out of the economic realm — consisted of numerous events and discussions on economic growth, financial systems, environmental sustainability, health and social development.

Gutmann commended the University’s contribution to the WEF and said that Penn’s involvement highlighted “the contribution that Penn and Penn faculty can make to increasing global understanding.”

While in Davos, Gutmann hosted the London School of Economics IdeasLab, “Smart Policies for Doing Better with Less,” where several speakers presented their ideas on public management, climate change and financing education.

The talks were followed by a discussion with audience members on how the ideas presented can make a difference in the global arena.

Thomas Donaldson, a Wharton professor and WEF contributor, co-led another IdeasLab on the topic of “Ethical Norms in a New Reality” with several Penn faculty members. He said that by integrating a diverse group of opinions on the issues of business, law, medicine and neuroscience, leaders in each industry will have a better idea of how to synthesize the questions and answers needed to improve their fields.

The University also reported on the progress of Penn’s Climate Action Plan at the Global University Leaders Forum, explaining their advances on sustainable development.

Though the WEF posts a high set of fees for their participants and members, Penn Director of Strategic Communications Laura Cavender wrote in an e-mail that “all Penn faculty are invited guests of the WEF and do not pay a fee to attend.”

The WEF has received heavy criticism from many individuals in the past, including pop singer Bono and anti-globalization activists.

However, Donaldson said it is the responsibility of participants and speakers to “think outside the box of their own country” when formulating solutions to the world’s most pressing issues.

The WEF challenges people “to think more about how their work impacts society,” he said.

Donaldson added that if it is a “celebration of the rich and powerful,” then it cannot make a positive difference in the world.

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