Perspective on the scale of the challenge to be faced was given by Arnold Donald, President of Monsanto's Agricultural Sector, with a visual presentation on the explosive population growth of the current decade. This required massive increases in food production, he said, through new scientific methods. Their public acceptance depended on trust and transparency and this demanded both genuine diligence in testing and active communication to allay fears when they were unfounded. Ruud Lubbers, former Prime Minister of the Netherlands, outlined the growth of globalization and its consequences. Moreover, democracy is dependent on geographic territory and domestic concerns, and is not easily applied to borderless situations.
Globalization also leads to counter-effects.
Global business is the most powerful entity. Responsible corporate conduct, exceeding the requirements of law, is not only an ethical imperative but essential to business s own future sustainability. Best practice can be extended globally, for instance, in application of new technology, in labor conditions, in human rights and in environmental responsibility. Perhaps the most important contribution of business leaders is to engage in a dialogue to redefine universal duties as well as universal rights. The basic values of a just, sustainable and participatory global society must be identified, codified and honored.