{"id":4459,"date":"2017-03-20T12:16:35","date_gmt":"2017-03-20T19:16:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/occupysf.net\/?p=4459"},"modified":"2017-03-20T12:16:35","modified_gmt":"2017-03-20T19:16:35","slug":"swedish-billionaire-issued-5-million-award-anyone-invents-un-2-0","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/occupysf.net\/index.php\/2017\/03\/20\/swedish-billionaire-issued-5-million-award-anyone-invents-un-2-0\/","title":{"rendered":"This Swedish billionaire has issued a $5 million award for anyone who invents a UN 2.0"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>TT\/Stefan Gustafsson<\/em><\/p>\n

By\u00a0Tom Turula<\/a>\u00a0(businessinsider.com)<\/p>\n

November 2016<\/p>\n

Laszlo Szombatfalvy, one of Sweden\u2019s most successful investors of all time, is urging on the younger generation to rethink global governance.<\/p>\n

Now he has issued a large award for the best idea to replace the current global governance system, through a competition called \u2018A New Shape\u2019<\/a>.\u00a0This was reported by Jill Bederoff, who interviewed Szombatfalvy\u00a0for Veckans Aff\u00e4rer.<\/a><\/p>\n

Laszlo Szombatfalvy is something like the Warren Buffett of Sweden.<\/strong><\/b><\/p>\n

Like Buffett, he started life in very humble circumstances. He arrived to Sweden from Hungary in 1956 when his native country faced Soviet oppression.<\/p>\n

The 88-year old finance sage has one of the world\u2019s best investing track records. Over 45 years, he has achieved an average annual return of 30 per cent.<\/p>\n

His philanthropy aims to solve global problems.<\/strong><\/b><\/p>\n

Szombatfalvy is donating more than half a billion Swedish krona ($50m USD) through his fund, Global Challenges Foundation<\/a>.<\/p>\n

He believes radical measures are required to tackle inequality, and that the world’s rich need to take more responsibility.<\/p>\n

Szombatfalvy believes the global governance system is failing:<\/strong><\/b><\/p>\n

\u201dThe biggest threats to humanity stem from the global community\u2019s inability to deal with them effectively\u201d he told Veckans Aff\u00e4rer.<\/p>\n

\u201c[The Politicians] cannot agree on the necessary measures [for climate change]. Even less are they able to agree on how to divide the costs between countries; or the responsibilities for future generations. Now only short-term national interests dominate\u201d he continued.<\/p>\n

His fund\u2019s Global Challenges Prize<\/a> is awarding $5m USD \u201cin prizes for the best ideas that re-envision global governance for the 21st century\u201d.<\/strong><\/b><\/p>\n

The Foundation’s website explains further:<\/p>\n

\u201cEntrants should focus on designing a decision-making structure or framework that could galvanize effective international action to tackle these risks. \u00a0The proposed model may encompass an entirely new global framework or a proposed reform for existing systems.\u201d<\/p>\n

The competition, called \u2018A New Shape\u2019, is open to any individual or organization, and at least $1 million will be awarded to the winner. The fund is accepting proposals until May 2017.<\/p>\n

Here are Szombatfalvy\u2019s<\/strong><\/b> 4 advice for young people:<\/strong><\/b><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Be conscious\u00a0<\/strong><\/b>of the fact that you are not only your own country\u2019s citizen; you are a global citizen.<\/li>\n
  2. Realize <\/strong><\/b>that your children\u2019s and grandchildren\u2019s living conditions to a growing extent will depend on other countries\u2019 citizens, even more than on their compatriots.<\/li>\n
  3. Understand, <\/strong><\/b>that without a global governance system that cantackle global risks, the likelihood of major catastrophes will become incomparably higher.<\/li>\n
  4. Demand action <\/strong><\/b>from your elected politicans! Vote out the incompetent people \u2013 you cannot afford them!<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n