James Wolfensohn
For me the argument about globalization is a non-argument.
Equally important is to create an environment in which people can flourish.
But when someone is on a winning horse, and everything looks wonderful, it's very hard as an outsider to persuade them something is wrong.
But trust me, Asia's going to be there, it's going to be a major force, it's going to get through this, it'll have a more stable system.
But the number one element is to go out and see projects and to meet the people you're trying to work with.
But in terms of direct investment, I think that most countries in the world today are looking for it, because with direct investments comes money, technology, and jobs.
But I think no-one expected a disaster of these proportions and I'm quite certain that the nations are now going to come together and ensure that an early-warning system takes place.
But having said that, the crucial thing that needs to be underlined again is that in order for there to be real development getting to the people, it is not just multinational investment or trade.
But for every part of the world, instability, migration, crime, health becomes our issue, and it is just too late to wait for the crisis.
At this moment, the critical need is survival and immediately after the emergency then the World Bank and the other agencies come in to work under the leadership of the governments, to make sure that the locality is reconstructed both physically and emotionally.
As you look at the flow of Muslim fundamentalism, or fundamentalism in various areas and various religions, they all play on the people who have very little.
And that is a very, very exciting realization: to recognize that slum dwellers and rural dwellers are the same as all the rest of us, and that in fact the real strength of the developing world is the strength of the people.