World Leaders Need New Ways To Solve Problems, Bank Executive Says
posted by :: infoZine Staff :: 03/05/2004 @ 05:27:43 PM :: views
by Melissa Sanchez
SourceJean-Francois Rischard is "extremely concerned about the way we're managing our planet." His concerns aren't to be taken lightly. As the World Bank's vice president for Europe, he should know a thing or two about global development.
Urgent yet long-standing international issues such as global warming, poverty and e-commerce rules can be solved through global issues networks, said Rischard, a Luxembourg native and former Wall Street executive and lawyer.
While a world government could also address global issues, Rischard said it could take 200 years to set one up - the European Union has taken about 50 years to develop. Rischard said his proposal of global issues networks could solve the problems within 20 years.
Speaking at the National Press Club Thursday about the need for these networks, Rishcard closely followed his book, "High Noon: 20 Global Problems, 20 Years to Solve Them," which was released in 2002.
He suggested building two pilot international networks composed specifically of government, business and non-profit organization leaders knowledgeable in the networks' issue.
The networks would define the problem, propose a solution and agree on a timeline for solving the problem before setting norms for the world to follow. Once countries complied with these norms, the networks would serve as watchdogs and use international ratings to point out which countries are failing.
Now what Rischard must do is convince world leaders this is something they need.
"They're getting worried now," he said. "They're somewhat interested, but they don't know quite how to go about it."
Through his position in the World Bank, Rischard has tremendous access to world leaders and is working to set up a retreat where 30 top world leaders discuss international problem-solving networks.
But Rischard assumes he would face opposition from countries like the United States, which in 2001 refused to sign on to the Kyoto Protocol, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.