What in the World is Happening?
Let me introduce a guest blog from an esteemed friend, Dr. Kamiel Gabriel who has been following international developments. As Christians we need to be aware of all events, especially any that may speak to our longed for return of Christ.
Dr. Gabriel writes: As a result of COVID-19, nations around the globe are experiencing unprecedented changes socially, economically, and environmentally. In particular, titanic shifts in the labour, financial and medical fields in response to the global pandemic have created a platform for world leaders and business influencers to discuss a new global order to collectively and more effectively coordinate efforts to deal with similar worldwide crises.In this blog, I introduce the first part of a series aimed at informing the reader of what has been promoted as “The Great Reset”. This initiative by the World Economic Forum is aimed at creating a new global order to more effectively combat future financial, environmental and health related crises . This is a must read for those who keep a watchful eye on world events.The Great Reset-Part I: OverviewThe World Economic Forum (WEF) is in its 51st year and, for the first time, met virtually during the week of January 24, 2021. Every year, the Forum attracts world leaders and business influencers who gather in the Alpine city of Davos, Switzerland. It is often used as a platform for world leaders to discuss pressing issues such as eliminating world poverty, combating climate change, aids to third world countries, economic forecast, future cities, protection against cybercrime, etc. They also use the occasion to launch new initiatives or revisit and redefine their approach to older ones. A lot of schmoozing and backroom discussions take place among world leaders and industry influencers during the weeklong business retreat with exuberant gatherings and cocktail parties. This year, the Forum’s founder, Professor Klaus Schwab, has been promoting what has become his mantra, The Great Reset. The initiative is described on the WEF website as follows:“The world is at a historic crossroads, as economies everywhere attempt to pull themselves out of a COVID-19-induced hiatus. The damage inflicted has been horrific in terms of lives taken and livelihoods lost. However, it also presents an opportunity to rebuild in a more inclusive and responsible way. Coronavirus-related lockdowns provided a glimpse of what is possible in terms of limiting pollution, and the pandemic’s human toll illustrated what can happen when healthcare systems and social safety nets are neglected. Now, it is up to leaders in the private and public sectors to seize the moment and help create a more equitable and sustainable society.”At the heart of the initiative is the devastating effects of climate change which some are promoting as the onset of many diseases and health crises like COVID-19. In a web-like demonstration of what areas are covered under the initiative, WEF lists things such as developing sustainable business models; harnessing the 4th industrial revolution; revitalizing global cooperation; strengthening regional development; redesigning social contracts, skills and jobs; shaping the economic recovery and restoring the health of the environment.On the matter of sustainable business models, the authors argue that “The COVID-19 crisis has highlighted many ways to do business more responsibly once the pandemic recedes. The cost of continuing with business as usual after COVID-19, without shifting investment from polluting fossil fuels to clean renewable energy, will only lead to further crises.” On social issues, they claim that, “The pandemic has laid bare the inequalities that create unnecessary suffering and hardship. The spread of COVID-19 magnified the tenuous existence of many workers, and the inequality that plagues many societies.”With regards to the environment, the Forum asserts that: “Mobility restrictions gave us a glimpse of what is possible. As stay-at-home measures were implemented around the world in a bid to curb the spread of the coronavirus, the internet was populated with startling pictures of pristine skies over Los Angeles, suddenly-apparent Himalayan mountain peaks in India, and satellite images of declining pollution over China.” They suggested that, in order for this “environmental healing” to continue in post pandemic era, people in major cities must embrace other transportation methods such as cycling with municipalities redesigning their regions for better cycling routes, etc.In terms of harnessing new technologies afforded by the 4th industrial revolution, the authors emphasized that, “Technology can be a tool for positive change as we rebuild after the pandemic. As the COVID-19 pandemic spread it triggered a wave of potentially dangerous misinformation online. It also underlined both the potential benefits – and the potential privacy concerns – related to technologies capable of tracking a person’s location. Around the world, the technologies powering the Fourth Industrial Revolution played both positive and negative roles as countries grappled with one of the gravest global health crises in modern history.”To be continued…
Dr. Gabriel writes: As a result of COVID-19, nations around the globe are experiencing unprecedented changes socially, economically, and environmentally. In particular, titanic shifts in the labour, financial and medical fields in response to the global pandemic have created a platform for world leaders and business influencers to discuss a new global order to collectively and more effectively coordinate efforts to deal with similar worldwide crises.In this blog, I introduce the first part of a series aimed at informing the reader of what has been promoted as “The Great Reset”. This initiative by the World Economic Forum is aimed at creating a new global order to more effectively combat future financial, environmental and health related crises . This is a must read for those who keep a watchful eye on world events.The Great Reset-Part I: OverviewThe World Economic Forum (WEF) is in its 51st year and, for the first time, met virtually during the week of January 24, 2021. Every year, the Forum attracts world leaders and business influencers who gather in the Alpine city of Davos, Switzerland. It is often used as a platform for world leaders to discuss pressing issues such as eliminating world poverty, combating climate change, aids to third world countries, economic forecast, future cities, protection against cybercrime, etc. They also use the occasion to launch new initiatives or revisit and redefine their approach to older ones. A lot of schmoozing and backroom discussions take place among world leaders and industry influencers during the weeklong business retreat with exuberant gatherings and cocktail parties. This year, the Forum’s founder, Professor Klaus Schwab, has been promoting what has become his mantra, The Great Reset. The initiative is described on the WEF website as follows:“The world is at a historic crossroads, as economies everywhere attempt to pull themselves out of a COVID-19-induced hiatus. The damage inflicted has been horrific in terms of lives taken and livelihoods lost. However, it also presents an opportunity to rebuild in a more inclusive and responsible way. Coronavirus-related lockdowns provided a glimpse of what is possible in terms of limiting pollution, and the pandemic’s human toll illustrated what can happen when healthcare systems and social safety nets are neglected. Now, it is up to leaders in the private and public sectors to seize the moment and help create a more equitable and sustainable society.”At the heart of the initiative is the devastating effects of climate change which some are promoting as the onset of many diseases and health crises like COVID-19. In a web-like demonstration of what areas are covered under the initiative, WEF lists things such as developing sustainable business models; harnessing the 4th industrial revolution; revitalizing global cooperation; strengthening regional development; redesigning social contracts, skills and jobs; shaping the economic recovery and restoring the health of the environment.On the matter of sustainable business models, the authors argue that “The COVID-19 crisis has highlighted many ways to do business more responsibly once the pandemic recedes. The cost of continuing with business as usual after COVID-19, without shifting investment from polluting fossil fuels to clean renewable energy, will only lead to further crises.” On social issues, they claim that, “The pandemic has laid bare the inequalities that create unnecessary suffering and hardship. The spread of COVID-19 magnified the tenuous existence of many workers, and the inequality that plagues many societies.”With regards to the environment, the Forum asserts that: “Mobility restrictions gave us a glimpse of what is possible. As stay-at-home measures were implemented around the world in a bid to curb the spread of the coronavirus, the internet was populated with startling pictures of pristine skies over Los Angeles, suddenly-apparent Himalayan mountain peaks in India, and satellite images of declining pollution over China.” They suggested that, in order for this “environmental healing” to continue in post pandemic era, people in major cities must embrace other transportation methods such as cycling with municipalities redesigning their regions for better cycling routes, etc.In terms of harnessing new technologies afforded by the 4th industrial revolution, the authors emphasized that, “Technology can be a tool for positive change as we rebuild after the pandemic. As the COVID-19 pandemic spread it triggered a wave of potentially dangerous misinformation online. It also underlined both the potential benefits – and the potential privacy concerns – related to technologies capable of tracking a person’s location. Around the world, the technologies powering the Fourth Industrial Revolution played both positive and negative roles as countries grappled with one of the gravest global health crises in modern history.”To be continued…
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