MESSAGE FOR WEEK BEGINNING 2nd May 2005

Economic Change

I was recently in India where I am working with the Tata consultancy group on some new software. While in India I had a meeting with the President of India, Dr Kalam. As a scientist the thinking of Dr Kalam seems different from that of the usual politician.

India is growing by about 8.2 percent per year. China is growing by about 9.2 percent per year. It is estimated that by 2050 China will be the largest economy in the world. The USA economy will be two thirds that of China and the third will be India. Where does that leave Europe?

The dangers of complacency and moment to moment problem solving are obvious. There is a huge need for 'new thinking'. Unfortuneately most people are 'employed' to survive the limited number of years left before they retire.

Edward de Bono 20th April 2005