International experts available for comment on World Economic Forum and World Social Forum

LONDON - In the next two weeks, global gatherings will take place in Switzerland and India, both concerned with reducing poverty and promoting development. However, the World Economic Forum in Switzerland and the World Social Forum in India posit radically different solutions for the world’s problems.
The World Economic Forum [http://www.weforum.org/] is a coalition of business leaders, academics, policy makers and think-tanks, committed to the promotion of economic freedom and prosperity. From 21-25 January, more than 2000 delegates in Davos will focus on the relationship between security and prosperity.
During the preceding five days (16-21 Jan) the World Social Forum [http://www.wsfindia.org/index.php] gathers in Mumbai to consider alternatives to the current model of globalisation.
Some organizers of the World Social Forum believe their gathering represents the needs and solutions of the developing world. However, a number of experts from the developing world disagree.
Analysts from Africa, Bangladesh, Colombia and India argue that the best route to economic development is through the institutions of a free society: property rights, rule of law, free markets and free speech. Unlike many of those gathering in India, these experts believe that poor countries need to lower barriers to trade between people (such as tariffs and excessive regulation), open markets, reduce government intervention, and promote economic growth and globalisation.

Experts list

Akinyi June Arunga
Youth Education Coordinator, Inter-Region Economic Network, Kenya
Expertise: Africa; Conflict; Youth perspectives; NGOs

Nizam Ahmad
Director, Making Our Economy Right (MOER), Bangladesh
Expertise: Bangladesh and South Asia; Child Labour; Poverty, Economic Growth and Development

Andrés Mejía Vergnaud
Director, Instituto Desarollo y Libertad (Institute for Development and Liberty), Colombia
Expertise: Conflict; Security and Liberty; Latin America (and Colombia); Development; Global trade

Bibek Debroy
Fellow, Rajiv Gandhi Institute for Contemporary Studies, India
Expertise: Trade Policy; Intellectual Property; Innovation and Technology; India

Julian Morris
Director, IPN, London (UK)
Expertise: Sustainable Development; Trade Policy; Intellectual Property; Technology and Innovation; Development