Horasis and PETRA: seeing the big picture in solving world’s problems

KUALA LUMPUR – The strategic partnership between Swiss-based think tank Horasis and PETRA Group for the upcoming 2021 Horasis Global Meeting tomorrow is set for long-term cooperation.

The think tank’s founder and chairman, Dr Frank-Jürgen Richter, said PETRA Group’s initiative on good capitalism and similar goals for long-term sustainability is consistent with Horasis’ objectives.

“The idea or the big picture is to focus on the future and Horasis is the ancient Greek word for visions or foresight.

“(We have) visions to grasp the future because we believe pretty much in capitalism in this current form remains very short-term oriented, and we are looking to reposition capitalism to make it more sustainable, more inclusive and more long-term oriented,” he said in an interview conducted via Zoom recently.

The invitation-only meeting is usually held in the seaside resort town of Cascais, Portugal, but is now being held virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Richter believes that by inviting global leaders in various fields to provide their views on subjects that matter, one would not only be able to forecast the future but shape it as well.

“For that, we will have to look into the future and see how it goes. Therefore, we invite everybody – from friends to stakeholders from all around the world – to join hands to look into the future and shape the future on issues, such as climate change, arts and culture.

“Discussions should also centre around making the economy more sustainable from an economic point of view, not just focusing on GDP growth but also focusing on inclusive growth,” said the 54-year-old economic adviser.

Additionally, Richter said Horasis also believes in equality, with close to 40% of female speakers being invited to its forums so far – and growing.

“When we started Horasis, the focus was on China during our first meeting. The Chinese government then approached us and asked to set up something similar to the World Economic Forum Meeting in Davos, Switzerland, where Chinese business leaders can meet others on an annual basis.

“We see China back then as we see today, surrounded by both supporters and non-supporters. Like the Swiss, where we are based, we are neutral and without a political agenda, but our idea is to bring people together of different opinions and come to a compromise for joint visions in the future.” 

Richter added that, since its inception in 2005, Horasis has expanded to India and other parts of the world, and plans to expand to Southeast Asia.

“We would love to host an event in Kuala Lumpur or Penang or Langkawi in the future.

“We also used to host meetings in the Middle East, until the Arab Spring occurred. We are bound to revitalise this meeting. But we are now looking into Africa and creating a meeting there so diversity is key across regions, gender and demographics,” he said.

For tomorrow’s event, Richter said, in addition to having established leaders, Horasis has also invited young speakers, upcoming leaders and young entrepreneurs.

“For the meeting, we will have two heads of states from Armenia and Namibia, and around 20 ministers globally, with two Asian ministers from Japan and India,” he said.
 
Commonality in shared values
 
Richter also pointed out that his long-standing friendship with PETRA Group chairman and chief executive Datuk (Dr) Vinod Sekhar spans from the time he was a director of the World Economic Forum from 2001 to 2004.

“I have known Vinod for more than 20 years. When we met, at that time, we hosted a programme for young Asian leaders.

“We have kept in contact over the years and Vinod started taking part in (Horasis’) digital meetings,” he said.

Richter said the strategic partnership with PETRA Group emerged following Vinod’s participation in Horasis’ Asia and United States’ meetings.

“Last year, Vinod took part in the Asian meeting followed by the United States meeting. This time, Vinod, along with PETRA Group, will have more engagement. As the strategic partner of the event, PETRA Group will be involved in various ways.”

Vinod, Sekhar Institute’s executive director P.Gunasegaram and Good Capitalism Forum chief executive Graham Kendall will represent PETRA Group as speakers.

As co-chair, Vinod will also give the joint welcome address.

The PETRA Group, Richter added, is charting the right path through initiatives such as setting up its own think tank – the Sekhar Institute – conducting non-profit work, giving back to society and engaging with key stakeholders in Malaysia and across the world.

“For Horasis itself, we want to become a major platform in the world, the channel for world leaders to collaborate, and we are currently working on a software where world leaders can connect, even independently from other global summits.

“The current summits are pretty much a photographic souvenir at the moment but, at Horasis, we want to engage these leaders on an ongoing basis and having this software would help do so.

“We are very bullish on the future. The post-Covid-19 times will, hopefully, go past us soon, with opportunities to do better things and grow (to come).

“The intelligence of mankind and our endeavour towards goodness will surely secure our future.” 

For more on the meeting, visit the Horasis website here. – The Vibes, June 7, 2021