A decade ago, the movers and shakers atthe World Economic Forum's annual meeting in Davos, Switzerlandwere a pretty homogenous bunch — somewhat similar to a G7 summit with a Swiss twist — but much like the global economy, the attendee mix has been changing.
For years now, Russia, China, India, Brazil, the Middle East, not to mention the onetime Soviet satellites turned EU members, have been well represented. Globalization is no longer a trend; it is the norm.
The meeting's official agenda often reflects that.
Once again, the meeting takes place as the developed nations struggle to return to normal. Debt time bombs tick in both the U.S. and the European Union, although more loudly in the latter, while the U.K. tries to shake off stagnation. Ditto Japan, but with its unique lingering case. Switzerland — the host country — tries to cope with a strong, burdensome currency.