Economic crisis is also a crisis of ethics - Davos poll

More than two thirds of people believe the current economic crisis is also a crisis of ethics and values, according to a World Economic Forum (WEF) opinion poll. The poll draws on responses from more than 130,000 people from 10 G20 economies on Facebook. When asked to identify the values most important for the global political and economic system, almost 40% chose honesty, integrity and transparency; 24% chose others’ rights, dignity and views; 20% chose the impact of actions on the well-being of others and 17% chose preserving the environment.

The report concludes that: “As the current economic crisis has unfolded, it has become evident that the international financial architecture is in need of reform. It is also abundantly clear that the international system has been demonstrably underperforming relative to many of its core objectives, such as sustainable economic growth, poverty eradication, human security, promotion of shared values, conflict avoidance and many more. A more fundamental debate is needed on how global interdependence can be managed in a way that advances shared social, environmental and economic objectives and values if we are to foster the global cooperation necessary to confront contemporary challenges in an effective, inclusive and sustainable way.”
The full text of the report can be accessed here.