Preamble

At the end of the first decade of the 21st century, the world is facing stark choices – choices which will determine future well-being and generational equity, choices which will lay the ground for long-term sustainability and human development. In the middle of the deepest economic downturn since World War II, and confronted with formidable and unchartered challenges, such as global warming and demographic change, it will be human ingenuity, collective innovation and the ability to re-direct our economic and social systems to meet these modern challenges that will lead the way back to prosperity and security for all.
To be sure, the current crisis is as much a crisis of values and a crisis of ethics as it is a crisis of financial markets. It can only be overcome with a new ethical compass, which will change behaviour and ultimately our societies by creating a modern, contemporary foundation for talent – talent that is dedicated to ethics, sustainability and shared value creation. Against this backdrop, we call on the world in general and Europe in particular to see the current crisis as an historic opportunity to place human development – and the fostering of an ethical, responsible and talented workforce – at the centre of economic and social policy making.
We call on governments, businesses, institutions of learning and individuals to commit to developing and nurturing talent – their own talent and the talent of others – as an urgent priority. We – supporters of Ágora Talentia, The World Forum on Talent in the Knowledge Age, which convened in Pamplona, Spain on 11-12 February 2009 – pledge to be inspirational role models, dedicated mentors and forceful advocates for greater, more consistent and more inclusive investment in human capital, ethical development, talent and skills. And we call on European leaders – who will gather in Brussels for the European Council summit on 19-20 March 2009 – to hear our appeal and take decisive measures to make Europe a global centre for world-class talent and a role model for human development, sustainability, innovation and creativity.