If you are a skier this is the weekend to hit the slopes in Davos. Not only has it not stopped snowing in the last few days – the pistes are completely empty as nearly everyone in the resort is attending the forum!
I interviewed Lee Howell, Managing Director of the World Economic Forum, and he told me about his passion for snowboarding and his frustration at not being able to get on his board. Given the fact that there are 40 heads of state attending, it’s not that surprising that he had to leave his ski suit at home!
The mood in Davos is pretty gloomy – the World Economic Forum has warned that if we don’t rethink our existing models we are in for some tough times. There has been great anticipation at the German Chancellor’s speech. Those who did not get in to the plenary were glued to big screens in the conference centre and hanging off her every word. Her call for a big “rethink” of the eurozone very much reflects the mood here that the status quo won’t do and that its time for a big change.
