Diego Luzuriaga: First Day Conclusions

SABF 2012 closed its first day of debate with its conclusions presented by Diego Luzuriaga, Founder and Executive Director at Equitas Ventures.

During his presentation, Luzuriaga reminded us about today´s Guibert Englebienne opening speech remarking the democratization of technology and the importance for organizations to understand the new generations in order to attract them.

Afterwards, Diego Luzuriaga quoted Guy Sorman saying that “Economy is a science” recognizing its importance to help “unlucky” countries, explaining which are the recommended economic policies.

Regarding Juan Carlos de Pablo interview he highlighted that short-term policies only make things worse and talked about the “Schumpeter Principle” stating that progress creates and destroys.

Later, referring to Gerry Garbulsky speech, he remarked why can’t we be millionaires, change the world and be happy? and quoted “Positive psychology, tries to understand the state of well being and how we define happiness.”

Finally, Luzuriaga talked about the Rick Dow´s great plenary that surprised the audience. What means to be connected? He stated that the conversation evolved into connection which creates isolation. These gives an illusion of companionship without the demands of friendship.

Once Diego Luzuriaga highlighted the main ideas of the first day, he began to share his own thoughts.

He remarked that it is true that the individual, in contrast to other times, has the possibility to choose their future. Nevertheless, this is worthwhile without the right formation or the intention to do it.

In addition, he declared that there is a great risk of treating as a “God” technology and the capacity of interconnection, considering both as a necessary and sufficient condition in order to generate actions. He added that the innovation is a fertile ground in order to develop wonderful actions, but it also can cause very negative things.

Luzuriaga wondered about the concepts of dialogue and social networks. He remarked that collective actions require dialog but afterwards and, with more importance, commitment. Social networks can facilitate the former but, not the latter.

Solid and independent institutions have proven to be very important for economic development. But, how do we fight for these institutions? Can be there an institutional failure with a collective success? Yes, RIO+20 is the best example.

In conclusion, there is no technology or institution that replaces human conscience. There are no recipes, no holy grail.