*{Government-Business-Civil Society: A Partnership for Sustainable Growth [http://www.weforum.org/site/knowledgenavigator.nsf/Content/Government-Business-Civil+Society%3A+A+Partnership+for+Sustainable+Growth?open&topic_id=300250000&theme_id=300]

            27.11.2000

            India Economic Summit 2000}

            Percy Barnevik, Chairman, Investor AB, Sweden, in his opening remarks, said that developing countries must not repeat the mistakes made by the west. He emphasized the need to use cleaner technologies and to develop a mindset of thinking through the whole process, from the cradle to the grave. 

            Najma Heptulla, Deputy Chairperson, Rajya Sabha, Parliament of India, said globalization is often perceived as totally profit oriented and ruthlessly competitive. This image needs to be changed by making sure that globablization meets basic human needs. She emphasized the need to globalize democracy.

            Along the same line, Vasundhara Raje, Minister of Small Scale Industries, Agro and Rural Industries, India, said that the fruits of globalization must trickle down to the grass-roots level. While there will always be differences between rich and poor, our aim should be to bridge this gap - not by redistributing the pie, but by increasing the size of the pie. She said that the governments must adapt and cater to dynamic societies, as they will change even if the governments do not. Businesses must also represent the aspirations of the people. 

            Tommy Koh, Ambassador-at-Large, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Singapore, said that while the role of the government is being reduced in the new economy, it is not likely to wither away completely. The government must accept that the private sector should be the engine for growth. Businesses must become responsible to both the stakeholders and shareholders. 

            "Sustainable development is what we are going to leave for our children," said Cyril Bouyeure, Adviser on Economics and Asia to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of France. He emphasized the need to work on common principles as we are all living on the same planet. The government has to ensure that all citizens are protected.

            Abdul Aziz, Vice-Chairman, Transparency International, Malaysia, stated that economic growth is the principal object in the triangular partnership of government, business and civil society and only a healthy economy can promote growth in social and political terms. He elaborated at length the experience of ASEAN countries whose high growth rates are a result of a proactive, business-like response of the political leadership to nuances of the market place.

            Ashok Khosla, President, Developmental Alternatives, India, was quick to point out that the current mindset of each of the three - government, business and civil society - is one of sheer arrogance. It is only when this mindset changes to humility that the three will be able to work together.

            Summing up the session, Arun Bharat Ram, President, Confederation of Indian Industry, said that the need to work together clearly emerged as the theme of the session.                  

                  *{Contributors:       Barnevik Percy
                  Bharat Ram Arun
                  Bouyeure Cyril
                  Heptulla Najma
                  Khosla Ashok
                  Koh Tommy
                  Raje Vasundhara
                  Tunku Abdul Aziz}