This week, the town of Davos, Switzerland once again moves into the international spotlight as business, government and social leaders meet for the 43rd World Economic Forum.
As the world’s elite meet to debate this year’s theme, Resilient Dynamism (as well as to network in the oft-ridiculed cozy embrace of exclusivity), those who don’t have all-access passes to the official meetings, will use the occasion to call attention to their causes.
One of the most memorable protests at last year’s annual WEF was a very small demonstration at the security barrier outside the congress halls entrance. Members of Femen, a feminists group from Ukraine, braved the cold Swiss winter to protest topless, sporting slogans that read: “Gangster Party in Davos†(above) and “Poor Because of You.â€
This year, too, environmental and social activists have promised to be present in the town normally known for its winter sports.
On Thursday, the second full day of the meetings and talk shops commonly referred to as just “Davos,†the Public Eye Awards will be handed out to “the worst Company of the Year†at a press event.
Organized by Greenpeace and the Berne Declaration, a Swiss NGO, “The Public Eye Awards mark a critical counterpoint to the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum†according to their website.
Two prizes will be announced during the day’s session, one chosen by a jury and another based on the results of an online poll among “the seven worst†corporate offen! ders, explained Michael Baumgartner of Greenpeace.
This year, the event, which was first organized in 2000, includes a lecture on the role of financial institutions in bad business.
Corporate Justice, a coalition that is calling on the Swiss federal government create ethical business laws, is holding a demonstration on Wednesday afternoon. The organizers, which include the Swiss chapter of Amnesty International, want laws that prevent multinationals headquartered in Switzerland from engaging in human rights or environmental abuses.
Here’s a Corporate Justice petition campaign video that ran last year:
Regional politics also promise to play a small role at Davos. The Green Party of Davos is calling on its members to be part of the “traditional†anti-WEF demonstration, planned for Saturday.
Protest actions, demonstrations and parallel programs are not generally as visible at Davos as at other high-level global meeting..
Nevertheless, access to the event â€" which can cost paying participants as much as half a million Swiss Francs, roughly $535,000 US â€" is well guarded. According to news reports, fighter jets will secure the airspace and more than 5,000 Swiss troops will secure airports, streets and buildings to guarantee the safety of the participants.
Although not planning any on-the ground protest action, Oxfam has released a report on income inequality to coincide with Davos.
And while demonstrations and marches still take place outside the official sessions and semi-official networking of Davos, heads of major environmental organizations are more likely to be found inside the security perimeter than outside.
The head of Greenpeace international, which is also co-organizing t! he Public! Eye Awards, tweeted to his followers:
Like other civil society leaders, Mr. Naidoo will be in high-level meetings with business and political leaders.
