Alec Hogg spoke with fellow Davos veteran Professor Ian Goldin, Dean of the Oxford Martin School about inequality being put on the global stage at the World Economic Forum this year; the case of Eskom’s delegation pulling out of attendance and the world’s view of South Africa. An insightful interview from an inspiring academic. – LF
ALEC HOGG: Professor Ian Goldin is indeed, with us. He’s the Dean of the Oxford Martin School. That means Oxford University and a place that many South Africans aspire to, if not go themselves, certainly send their children or grandchildren. It’s still ‘the university’ from a South African perspective – Oxford. Was it for you? Is that why you landed up there?
PROF. IAN GOLDIN: I did my doctorate at Oxford, but I really landed up there because they created this unique interdisciplinary faculty and asked me to be the first Dean of this faculty. That’s why I’m there. We have over 300 people working on the big challenges of the future. That’s the only place in the world that’s created it, so I think it’s leading in this area.
ALEC HOGG: Interdisciplinary: that’s what the WEF is trying to do at last as well – getting away from their silos. It must be (given your experience) a move in the right direction.
PROF. IAN GOLDIN: I think so. The problems of the world – poverty, climate change, pandemics, or whatever one thinks about inequality – can’t be solved by any one area or one profession. Bringing people together from different perspectives is absolutely vital to solve global problems.
ALEC HOGG: Help us out. What are you expecting to learn in this, your 18th or 19 tour?
PROF. IAN GOLDIN: Yes, I’ve been here many times. One learns about what people are thinking about, and what’s worrying the leaders of the world, – the business leaders or political leaders. One learns about some new insights. I meet with many other academics and talk to them about areas that interest me, and we set up many, many bilateral meetings, which is often the most productive thing. It’s very efficient – people from around the world whom you know, coming together for a few days – so you can see lots and lots of people that it would take you ages (and many flights) to meet, otherwise. It’s a very productive place, in that respect.
ALEC HOGG: There’s been quite a lot of criticism back home that Davos is a junket and that the Eskom team for instance, had more important things to concentrate on this year, than come here. What’s your take on that, given that you’re a regular?
PROF. IAN GOLDIN: I think it is what you make of it. It can be hugely expensive in all sorts of ways. It is elite. If one doesn’t really change the world outside Davos, it’s meaningless. It’s really about ‘can things happen here’. We can having meetings here that could lead you to be more effective at home. The question I would say of Eskom or anyone is ‘if by being here, will you do a better job at home’. If the answer is ‘yes’ then it’s worth being here. If the answer is ‘it’s not going to make a difference’ well then, it’s not worth being here.
ALEC HOGG: But as a man who thrives and lives on knowledge, we can understand where you’re coming from. Ian, just to close off with, what’s the view on South Africa now from not just academia, but also from people outside of the country?
PROF. IAN GOLDIN: I think Africa as whole is doing incredibly well. The views on Africa are changing. It’s going to be the second, most rapidly growing region of the world over the next five years. It has been over the last five years. Africa’s key in that. People think a lot about South Africa and Nigeria. Nigeria has very big issues. South Africa – again – has to be a source of stability of growth. Clearly, the economy is going through a difficult time. The politics are complex but I think that it’s a period where South Africa is going to be expected to show much greater leadership. It’s an incredible country with incredible dynamism and resource – people resource, the skills, and ability of South Africans to take the world forward, is great. I think there’s a lot of expectation that it has to play that role.
ALEC HOGG: Professor Ian Goldin is the Dean of the Oxford Martin School.
