Balancing the view of the rich

The World Economic Forum held annually in the Swiss resort of Davos is the biggest private gathering in the world, unrivaled by any other in terms of size and participant prestige. Those attending range from software bosses, heads of government, business moguls, and even film stars and other celebrities. The Jakarta Post's Harry Bhaskara attended a number of Davos sessions late last month and wrote the following articles. His trip to Davos was supported by Star Alliance and Holcim Group Co. within the framework of the Asia News Network, of which the Post is a founding member.

Fortunately or unfortunately, Davos' spotlight this year has fallen on Africa, leaving Asia out in the cold. This is so despite the fact that the factors cited for focus -- poverty, hunger and HIV/AIDS -- are not alien to Asia.

But when the powerful have spoken, nothing can change and hence Asia, including Indonesia, had better take comfort in do-it-yourself problem solving. This is the terse message that came out from Davos this year.

Whatever cynics may say about the annual gathering -- there has been a rival meeting in Porto Alegre, Brazil -- the fact remains that Davos has been the venue of the rich and powerful for more than 30 years. By any standards, this is an achievement in itself. Organized by the World Economic Forum, a Swiss-based foundation led by Klaus Schwab, this year it hosts 300 odd sessions in five days, with more than 2,200 participants.

Over time, the gathering in this Swiss ski resort has turned into a rich countries' club, and justly so. Alas, its initiator is based in Switzerland. The forum's culture and atmosphere is definitely western but Asian leaders remain unfazed, though Asian representatives accounted for only 16 percent of those in attendance.

"The atmosphere is very egalitarian," Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Najib Razak told The Jakarta Post on the sidelines of the conference, "security checks treat every participant equally including ministers."

Razak spoke, perhaps, out of Asian politeness, or was he simply not aware that certain Asian ministers revel in special treatment?

Asian feudalism aside, Davos has a winning edge, the nature of the gathering was informal and the atmosphere relaxing. It is a good place to iron out complex issues normally debated in a formal environment. Hence, Davos could be a complementary meeting among other meetings of world leaders since it offers ample opportunities in a short time.

Would it help to raise Asia's quota in the meeting?

Definitely, half the world lives in Asia and some Asian developing countries are catching up, with China and India on the march.

Sessions dedicated to those countries were sandwiched between those of Saudi Arabia, the United States, Japan, Chile and Switzerland among others. Not a single session was focused on Indonesia except the tsunami session, which also embraced other countries affected by the December disaster in the Indian Ocean.

Ample lessons could be drawn from Pakistan. Its dynamic prime minister, Shaukat Azis, was accompanied by five other ministers. A frequent Davos participant since his days at Citibank, Azis held 60 (group or one-to-one) meetings in his three days in Davos.

But the more pertinent question, perhaps, is what message Asian countries conveyed in Davos. This year, although Indonesia was scantily represented, its message was loud and clear.

Coordinating Minister for the Economy Aburizal Bakrie and his entourage of ministers, including Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Purnomo Yusgiantoro and Minister of Trade Mari Pangestu, relayed a message from a new Indonesia that is determined to continue with its political and social reform.

A minister-cum-businessman himself, Aburizal was also accompanied by prominent Indonesian businessmen including James Riady, Husodo Angkosubroto, Iman Taufik, Suryo Sulisto and Didie Soewondho. By nature, businessmen seem to move quicker than bureaucrats.

Davos has the reputation of seeing the world from the eyes of developed countries. The stronger presence of Indonesia and other Asian countries would influence, for the better, this unbalanced view.

Perhaps this is the essence of the message that should be brought to Davos. Globalization is good but it also brings with it, to some parts of the world, destitution. The international trade system is rapidly consolidating but a fairer deal needs to be struck, notably in farm trade. Indonesia needs to work with its neighboring countries to air the common concerns of Asia so that the rich do listen.

Domestically, Indonesia needs to assert itself. It has to hold more talks with local non-governmental organizations (NGOs). For sure, it cannot bear the risk of a rift in leadership, such as what appeared to be the case last month between Susilo and Jusuf Kalla in the handling of the disaster in Aceh.

Leaders should make a choice: To remain trapped by power's basic instinct or to work for the good of the people. As many parts of Asia are rising, time is short for Indonesia. It may not have the luxury of indifference toward the world community and toward its own people as it did in the past. And, for Susilo, this is a tall order.