WEF - World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland

"The World Economic Forum is an independent international organization committed to improving the state of the world by engaging leaders in partnerships to shape global, regional and industry agendas. Incorporated as a foundation in 1971, and based in Geneva, Switzerland, the World Economic Forum is impartial and not-for-profit; it is tied to no political, partisan or national interests. The World Economic Forum is under the supervision of the Swiss Federal Government."

That is what it is supposed to be about. To be quite honest I don't follow it that much. All I know is that quite a few well-known politicians and business men get together in a small town, Davos, in the Alps of Graubunden in Switzerland, eat a lot of super food, stay in 5 star hotels and have fun. Now and again they have a few conferences, but the public are not too happy about it as it seems to encourage that bad word used often today in politics known as "globalisation". I heard a programme on the radio where they interviewed the owner of a café in Davos. She said that she did have a different public visiting her restaurant at the moment. Mostly CIA look alikes and bodyguards. They were all armed with their mobile telephones which were ringing all the time and never had longer than five minutes for a coffee. Also English is at the moment the most spoken language in the restaurant. Otherwise the Swiss police have enough to do "looking after " the people demonstrating. Here is the latest news (translated by me - couldn't find anything in english)

"The demonstraters show words such as "Wipe out WEF" and carry flags with the words "Stop WEF". Speakers criticise the visit of Tony Blair and Henry Kissinger at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Both are warmongers.

Amongst the protestors are masked people. The police turned up in large numbers but did not intervene. The demonstration was organised by the "Union for global resistance".

As already a week ago, there were a few temporary arrests. According to the organisers 15 people were arrested, the police said 10. They were stopped because the police found cans of paint sprays and knives. A week ago 200 people were apprehended.

Now and again people were arrested in Basel. 60 people were arrested in the central part of the town because they were demonstrating in a meeting that had not been allowed. However there were no riots or damages.

People in Davos protested peacefully where the WEF was taking place. They demanded the cancellation of the meeting and a more fairer world. Colourful balloons and posters were in the order of the day. The police remained in the background. The demonstration was organised from the Davos environment friendly party. During the evening the younger members of the party set alight to 200 torches and ordered that the large companies their ecological and social responsibilities should be taken seriously.

In Zürich on Friday until midnight all 48 arrested were again released, after being arrested at a unallowed demonstration. They were accused of taking part at an unallowed demonstration"

So in a nutshell that is what had happened. Whilst the politicians were have fun in their hotels, the Swiss were demonstrating. To be quite honest the bloke that had the idea in the first place would have done better not having the idea. Switzerland is a place for skiing and enjoying after skiing in Winter, and not for having political conferences where everyone starts demonstrating. At least this year nothing was smashed up or fights developed. Anyhow next week our carnival season starts, so that will be something completely different - or is it?

I mean the people are masked there as well, and also do a lot of stupid things.

Photo taken by me at the Solothurner Fasnacht (carnival) 2007.