The increasing influence of non-state actors and online social networks, fear of necessary changes, and enduring stereotypes were highlighted as some of the key global challenges at The "Power of the Future" panel at the Bled Strategic Forum on Friday.
Fu Ying, Chinese vice minister of foreign affairs, highlighted the enduring stereotypes in relations between East and West which Chinese investors face when they invest in the West. Cold War thinking must be overcome, she said.
Slovenian Foreign Minister Samuel Zbogar opined that stereotypes can be overcome by talking andgetting to know each other better. This is one reason why the EU is forging strategic partnerships with countries such as China, he said.
Fu also noted that power was not shifting from West to East as the West is convinced, instead there is a "diffusion of power" from West to a broader area. In this context, she highlighted the need for reforms, in particular of international institutions which are still based on the post-WWII world order.
Richard Boucher, deputy secretary general of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), agreed that the whole world faces major challenges. In his view, Western countries need to take some major decisions, but it is unclear whether they are capable of doing that.
Zbogar turned to the EU and the question of why European countries do not establish a United States of Europe. He believes that European leaders are listening to the voters, who are, however, increasingly sceptical in the face of the ongoing economic crisis.
Igor Olegovich Shchegolev, Russian minister of telecommunications and mass communications, meanwhile highlighted the growing importance of online social networks and new media. He argued that since they bring benefits as well as dangers, some rules should be put in place.
Fu, who agreed that there must be certain limits, sees the internet as a challenge for governments, which are forced to react almost instantaneously as the masses get information almost at the same time.
The panel also featured Mahmoud Salem, an activist blogger, who described the situation earlier this year when social networks triggered protests that ended up toppling long-time President Hosni Mubarak. He said social networks were the tool for change in Egypt.
The Slovenian foreign minister agreed that none-state actors were increasingly important and exert increasing influence on the general agenda.
