Since the ancient times of ancient Greece and Roman senators, through the traditions of councils in Islam, up to the parliaments and assemblies in the modern world, humans have always sought to gather wise individuals and those with similar ideas to discuss solutions to complex problems and difficult challenges.
The Power of Gathering: An Effective Force
The power of gathering is considered an effective force. At the FII Institute, we strongly believe that cooperation, dialogue, and collaboration are key elements in facing the immense challenges – from climate change to social and economic inequality, to issues of creative artificial intelligence – confronting humanity today.
A Global Network of Thought Leaders
That’s why, since 2017, we have built a global network of thought leaders and influential decision-makers in business, policy-making, academia, civil society, and media who regularly come together to discuss issues at a detailed level, analyze accepted governance, and propose innovative and practical solutions to these problems.
Gathering as a Driving Force for Change
The FII Summit in Riyadh has proven the appeal of this approach. Over 1,000 individuals paid $15,000 to become members of the FII Institute, becoming part of our movement, joining us in our annual program of activities, and engaging in significant discussions about our future.
The Priority Summits for Gathering
The sports summit addressed the major economic challenges facing all societies; aspects of climate change financing and technologies; ensuring that investment in accelerating technologies like artificial intelligence is a force for good; directing investment flows toward emerging markets where it must drive prosperity and growth for all; and investing in education and health to ensure the prosperity of all humanity.
The Major Challenges Facing Humanity
We have an ambitious program, and I am not under the illusion that conversation alone can bring about meaningful change. However, dialogue, reflection, and thinking can help create the intellectual framework through which ideas can be realized and implemented practically.
The Priority Summits for Gathering
Wise men and women are at the heart of our mission. Heads of state, ministers, investors, founders, and public policy experts joined us in Riyadh at the end of October and in Hong Kong at the Asia Business Center in December.
The Priority Summits for Gathering
The main Riyadh Summit is not the pinnacle of the power of gathering in the FII Institute. Our members are also invited to participate in a series of consecutive priority summits to be held in London, Miami, South America, and Hong Kong throughout the year, where ideas are continuously developed and refined.
Achieving Progress Through Collaboration
The exchange of ideas takes place on a global level at the priority summits for gathering. These summits aim to facilitate international dialogue, knowledge sharing, and partnerships, bringing together innovators, leaders, and investors in a community of influencers striving to shape a better future for all. In an increasingly interconnected yet fragmented world, institutions like ours are crucial in addressing humanity’s greatest challenges. By fostering knowledge sharing and facilitating problem-solving through collaboration and influencing policy development, we can unlock invaluable opportunities for progress.
Prevention is Better than Cure
Historically, we have become accustomed to seeing large global gatherings as an emergency response to crises: peace talks after wars; reactions to the global financial crisis; responses to a global pandemic. At the FII Institute, we view it in the opposite way. Global summits and conferences should help predict and address those events before they reach the size of a crisis. We strongly believe that prevention is better than cure and that sound intellectual thinking can guide humanity toward better responses to its many challenges.
Collaborative Action for Change
Through collaborative action, we can make a difference, innovate for a better future, and create a safer community for generations to come. If our work helps humanity to thrive in these trying times, then we have succeeded.
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Florence Dubois is the President of XCHANGE and Global Partnerships at the FII Institute. Note: The opinions expressed by the writers in this section are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Arab News.
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