PDF《Preface》

6 5 The St. Gallen Spirit The participants in the St. Gallen Symposium do more than discuss issues with their peers. Whoever participates is also challenged, and must address the opinions of others. The international exchange between top executives and students is shaped by a high degree of cultural sensitivity and great intellectual openness to other experiences and backgrounds. Within such a setting, the discussion opens up broad access to new ideas, findings and solutions. Careful selection of participants and speakers as well as a thoughtfully prepared thematic framework foster a focused, critical and action-oriented exchange of ideas at a very high level. The student participants qualify for participation at the Symposium through one of the largest essay competi- tions in the world, and thus undertake important intellec- tual groundwork that paves the way for intensive debate. Different formats C from the keynote presentation to work sessions in small groups C guarantee the depth of the subject matter and a genuine dialogue that is continued by the par- ticipants on an informal basis. The stimulating environment and relaxed intimate atmosphere on the university campus have played a large part in bringing the St. Gallen Symposium international recognition as an exclusive melting pot of different views, approaches and value systems. The personal initiative and extraordinary commitment of the ISC members, who con- ceive, plan and organise the Symposium, are important ingredients of the characteristic St. Gallen Spirit . The St. Gallen Symposium has a unique atmosphere. First, it is located in this excellent university, in the old city of St. Gallen. Second, it is an occasion which brings together people from very different backgrounds: eco- nomics, management, science, government, foreign affairs, law, psychology, even religion. It also brings together different generations. It brings together decision-makers in the fields of business, academia, foreign affairs and the military in order to discuss the fu- ture with the current generation of students. Third, it is a dialogue across countries. The speakers come from many countries, as do the participants and the students. Fourth, this is a unique conference because of the unique role the students play in its organisation. It is their conference. Lord Griffiths of Fforestfach Goldman Sachs International One of the things that makes the St. Gallen Symposium special is the dialogue between the generations. Leaders from the worlds of business, politics and science are given the opportunity to discuss ideas not just between themselves, but also with people who may be in their positions ten, twenty or thirty years from now. It is a genuine dialogue, not just a one-way street where the managers give speeches and the students ask the odd critical question. Neue Zürcher Zeitung Not that the most important ingredient of this now world-famous annual meeting of students and decision-makers from the worlds of politics, religion, academia and business is quantitative. Rather, it is qualitative: the pri- ority is quality of debate, participants, organi- sation and outcome. South China Morning Post Ernesto Bertarelli, Serono International SA, and the late Augustinus O. Praem. Heinrich Graf Henckel von Donnersmarck in a discussion about Science Between Goals and Limits Dr. Thilo Bode, Greenpeace International, and Peter Brabeck-Letmathe, Nestlé S.A., discussing the subject of The New Balance of Power Between Business, Politics and NGOs Winners of the St. Gallen Wings of Excellence Award: panel under the topic Pushing Limits C Questioning Goals