Hunger, poverty, desperation, even chaos persist for much of the world of 2001. To this sad inventory, I would add the recognition in this century of the value of human capital and the incredible waste of that asset in the current global environment. This brings me to my optimistic conclusion. Crisis brings leadership. Crisis converts caretakers into strong leaders.
Crisis motivates creative approaches to solve problems.
Crisis brings us together in common cause, as in the case of post war Europe or in the rebuilding of this wonderful country, Japan. Crisis makes us look to new approaches, new directions in policy and action. It would be easily established by empirical evidence in a court of law, but public policy must operate in the court of public opinion. Here our leaders have a major role to play. The G-8 will gather in Genoa in July and we are told that high on the agenda is poverty reduction.