Five years ago, 189 countries and their leaders made solemn promises to solve global problems such as poverty and hunger, human rights and environmental protection. But the release of the second Annual Report by the Forum’s Global Governance Initiative makes shockingly clear, that the leaders are breaking their promises. The world remains far off track to achieve its most important goals. Although the responsibility of achieving global goals rests primarily with governments, the report argues that the goals cannot be reached without the active participation of the private sector.

Now we all wonder; will they – leaders of states and business – be ready to make a difference? Is the year 2005 going to be the year of change? Or has our society become so self-absorbed that we don’t care about the greater good anymore?