The general topic of the 34^th ISC-symposium is "The Challenges to Growth and Prosperity". It is probably one of the oldest questions in economics growth. Nowadays, the production and consumption of a steadily rising volume of goods is causing not only unjustifiable burden on the environment but also a scarcity of precious resources; At the same time, the global society are under the shadow of the deep-rooted conflicts between the different cultures. How much growth is necessary to guarantee prosperity in the long term? How can sustainable growth be achieved? So here, we provide you with a platform for constructive debate about these issues.

第34届圣加仑论文大赛的话题是“增长与繁荣的挑战”。这个话题可以称得上是关于经济增长话题的老问题了。如今，由于商品生产和消费数量的稳步上升，不但给环境带来了不合理的负担，同时也使那些珍贵资源变得更加稀有。与此同时，由于不同文化所产生的根深蒂固的争端分歧，也使全球社会一直笼罩在阴影中。那么，从长远的观点看，需要保持多快的发展速度才能保证社会的繁荣富强呢？通过怎样的方式才能实现可持续的发展呢？所以这里我们提供了一个平台，希望就这些问题能进行一场有建设性的讨论。

Butterfly Benediction

Climbing upwards along a path, surrounded by bush and humming bees, I again pulled myself out of the hustling-bustling city into Mother Nature’s peaceful arms. Every time I get smothered with the busy city life I would allow myself to take in some fresh air in a faraway forest which always gives me more inspiration and enlightenment.

Mesmerized, I would lie for hours on a large rocky outcrop in the stream, nestling every hair and nerve tightly to the ground to feel the heartbeat of this planet. I’d almost be filled with awe when sensing the soft breath of the grass, feeling the gentle touch of a lovely insect and hearing the melodious singing of native birds, echoing through the trees. Nature is a masterpiece of God；Nature is life giving. I marveled at the splendor of Nature and this glorious sight of unbridled power of growth, savored this infinite and everlasting flourishment and led myself into meditation.

Growth, the quintessence of life, is an eternal topic for human beings. All of God’s creation should experience an arduous process of growth－from a cell, an ant, a dandelion to an individual, a society and even the whole universe－It’s not so comfortable and usually painful, but sacred and full of amazement. Thanks to growth, we can now dwell in such a prosperous world.

We never stop pursuing growth, for we desire prosperity; likewise, prosperity seems never allow us to stop growing. But in this game of pursuit, we are always tripped by various stumbling-blocks: the increasing pressure on dwindling natural resources, the outworn patterns and immovable barriers in innovation, and the limitations of doubts and fears which we force on ourselves. All these have brought our steps to a standstill.

-How can we remove or jump over the obstacles?

-What kind of growth is real growth that will make us stronger and healthier without any side effect?

-How to regain momentum in a deadlock?

Pondering on these questions, I kept ambling along the path into the depths of the woods. There was a puff of wind. I could hear the trees whispering in my ears. Mother Nature seemed ready to give me some hints. I strolled on and on with all these confusing question marks whirling in my mind until finally I stopped in front of a branch of a small tree, stunned by the sight before my eyes.

It was a cocoon, a butter fly cocoon.

It was moving frantically like there’s a violent battle inside. I realized in a flash that I was going to witness one of those little miracles of life, the transformation of how a squirmy, crawling worm changes into a dainty, flying butterfly.

Wrapped tightly in its cocoon, the little creatures pulled and pushed, tearing at the rough walls. It struggled and struggled and struggled with all its might to break its confinement. I felt so sorry for this poor little thing that I decided to do it a “favor”. If I cut the cocoon a little, will it be easier for it to break free? At that time, an old story occurred to me and stopped my foolish idea.

The cocoon is nice and cozy; the outside scary and cold. Why must I suffer so? Why can’t I simply in the twinkling of an eye become a butterfly? But mom said that would be contrary to God’s will. Really? Why?

Once upon a time, a nice man found a cocoon of a butterfly. One day a small opening appeared. He sat and watched the butterfly for several hours as it struggled to force its body through that little hole.

Then it seemed to stop making any progress. It appeared as if it had gotten as far as it could, and it could go no further.

So to help the butterfly he took a pair of scissors and snipped off the remaining bit of the cocoon. The butterfly then emerged easily. But it had a swollen body and small, shriveled wings.

The man continued to watch the butterfly because he expected that, at any moment, the wings would enlarge and expand to be able to support the body, which would contract in time.

Neither happened!

In fact, the butterfly spent the rest of its life crawling around with a swollen body and shriveled wings. It never was able to fly.

Fortunately, I didn’t make the same mistake. What the man didn’t know is that as the butterfly squeezes through the hole it has eaten into the cocoon walls, the pressure of each squeeze pushes fluid from the body into the wings, making them strong and durable for flight. Without that adversity, the butterfly would never develop the strength to achieve its destiny, to become something extraordinary.

The journey of Nature’s evolution is an epic about life growth. Even behind the most insignificant species there’s a profoundly affecting story of growing pains.

I sank down into the rich soil where I took root and gradually grew. I know it’s warm here but I don’t like darkness. It’s time for me to crack through the ground. I’m fighting against the hard rock, holding fast my fragile stalk. Though ever so slow, painfully I do grow…if I didn’t do so, I would never meet the Kingdom of Heaven. Now I’m right on the way to a giant. I do believe one day I can kiss the sky

- Hurry up! Dear~ Come out with me!

- NO…I only want to stay inside. I dare not see myself. If I’m not as lovely as you…if I’m nothing but an ugly chick…if…

- Hey! If you don’t come out, you’ll never know how beautiful you are! You’re going to grow into a PEACOCK

I’d been watching the lengthy transformation for nearly half an hour up to then. Suddenly and finally, much to my delight, there appeared a tiny gap in the cocoon. Fantastic! I knew it could do it.

Emerging little by little until finally showing its whole body, this creature was no longer an ordinary insect, but an angel from the Divine! Blinded and confused by the unfamiliar light, she shyly unfolded her gorgeous wings which almost dazzled my eyes. The inviting display of Nature obliged me to discover the secret of growth and prosperity.

Whatsoever stands in the way and prevents us from growing and prospering?

For a long time I stood still, staring at the butterfly. She was resting on the remaining cocoon, making final preparations for her fight. At that point, I got the answer.

It’s the cocoon !

Yes! It’s the cocoon that blinds our eyes to see the outside world; it’s the cocoon that binds our hands and feet to break new ground; it’s the cocoon that restricts our mind to the realm of freedom.

It’s the cocoon that prevents us from growing and prospering further!

As for a butterfly, its cocoon is the chrysalis; and as for a plant, the firm ground; and the chicks, their eggshells. But what’s the cocoon of us human beings as the most significant creatures on this planet?

I suppose there are two.

One is called “matrix” from which all of us were extricated on the very day of our birth. From that day on, we began our journey of physical growth. Thus, we realize the first stage of growth.

The other is called “ego” from which most of us cannot escape. It’s a self-woven cocoon preventing us from growing spiritually. It’s crucial and more difficult because if we fail to release ourselves from the ego, we won’t be able to realize the second stage of growth－spiritual growth, the real growth－and therefore the entire growth cannot be complete.

The caterpillar needs its cocoon to protect itself from the elements so that it can safely continue the metamorphosis and begin a new life as a butterfly. On the contrary, we need our “ego cocoon” only to remain in our ignorance and fallacy. It can make us feel comfortable but also can stop us from living fearlessly, growing healthily and being truly happy.

You may begin to feel abhorrent to this “ego cocoon”. It proves to be the direst predicament; nevertheless, it offers a best opportunity to grow and mature through this predicament－ the opportunity for struggle!

It is difficult in the midst of struggling to remember that there is a reason for the struggling, often it is a time of growth.

－Kristi A. Dyer

To grow, after all, means to confront limitations, to encounter the real self. The cocoon is necessary, but only temporarily. We weave it not for a permanent shelter but a chance to grow, to gain power, to get steeled, to extricate ourselves later and to prosper in a vast world.

Then, how can we transcend the cocoon of our limited selves?

♣ We need some vision !

The caterpillar cannot visualize what amazing world awaits; we also may not be able to imagine the limitless possibilities and wonders of life into which we may emerge. But we do have a vision beyond your present situation. We do have our observation. Only through close observation can we discover the deep-rooted limitations inside and outside; only after we’ve found out the origin of the limitations can we decide which direction to step into.

♣ We need some courage !

Although confrontation is not such a comfortable experience, however, if we simply stay within the confines of what is comfortable, we won’t begin to rub against the edges of our cocoon. Do what scares you. Do what discomforts you. Do what stretches your limits. The more you do the more your vision expands. Don’t fear getting hurt. Remember: no pain, no gain! God will bless you!

♣ We need some humor !

We have to get prepared both physically and mentally for the lengthy battle. We have to believe there bounds to be hardships. But anyhow, please be an optimist! Just embrace this sweet hardship. Learn to comfort and entertain yourself. Put a book full of jokes beside your pillow. I’m sure you’ll have a cheerful start tomorrow!

♣ We need some patience !

Growth doesn’t equal to “expansion” or “increase” or “enlargement”. Real growth is more similar to “maturity” or even “evolution”. It looks like stairs. You’d better climb it step by step just as the butterfly emerges from the cocoon bit by bit. Don’t rush! Don’t haste! It will cripple you. Make sure your every step is steady and secure, is meaningful and fruitful, and is the firmest foundation of your next one. Only real growth leads to real prosperity!

♣ We need some creativity !

We need it because it’s the only weapon for us to gain perpetual growth. We need it to smash all the stereotypes and draw a picture of our whole new habitat. Actually, the essential feature of growth is that there appears something new, something different. So, even if we are freed from one cocoon, we won’t really stretch ourselves. If we don’t produce something new and merely stick to the routine, we are just weaving another cocoon and will probably soon get entangled in it again. Only creativity can haul us out of this vicious circle and guide us onto a rising spiral leading to the final prosperity.

The butterfly is a symbol of beauty. Its beauty comes from the courage to slough off the imperfect self and throw off the protective limitation.

So just break the cocoon and emerge enlightened.

Grow and evolve into your magnificent self!

Can I transform into a butterfly? I closed my eyes and began to imagine…

Suddenly, a soft sound of flapping stopped my imagination. The butterfly, with her brilliant wings fully expanded, is ready to take off! She tentatively raised her body, speeding up her flapping, and just in a slip of second, she was in the air. She flew around me for a while, leaving a puff of delicate fragrance, and then soared into the sky, farther and farther, till finally out of my sight… I look up into the vast blue heavens, praying silently in my heart…

MAY THE MORNING SUN CARRES YOU

THE RAINS OF CHANGE REFRESH YOU

AND THE GENTLE BREEZE OF HIS SPIRIT

LIFT THE WINGS OF YOUR TRANSFORMATION

－“Butterfly Benediction”

by Richard D. Breen

By Ji Ye

Finding the Core of Development

After the Cold War, Peace and Development had gradually become the theme of the whole world. Never before had development been paid so much attention to by human race. In the past decades, the whole world is rocked by the significant growth brought about by scientific and technological revolution, and the existence and rapid development of computer science had brought unparalleled prosperity to this planet.

Such development is so rapid and great that people did not realize the hidden dangers behind the prosperity. Now, an increasing amount of evidence is warning us that these dangers are just around the corner. So the whole world has to calm down and think about the answers to some questions: Is this excessively rapid growth an opportunity or a threat? What did we sacrifice in such growth? What will such growth bring us? And what will it bring to our children?

And, what can we do?

Therefore, we have to look for the core of development. I believe that four Ps are the key factors in the matter of development.

1.PEACE

In many African nations, people are still living in gunfire. Thousands of people pass most of their lifetime in refugee camps. International aid can meet their minimum survival needs, but the fuel to cook these foods is a big problem. So the refugees have to fell trees and bushes as their fuel. Maybe they were aware of the importance of environmental protection, but when people are faced with hunger, poverty, and war, will they care about the plants?

Wars and violence not only cause casualty and losses, but also massively consume our precious natural resources. They even cause serious pollution to the environment. It is estimated that about six to ten percent of the pollution of the atmosphere is caused by air forces, and ten to thirty percent of global environment deterioration can be ascribed to military activities.

Massive wars have not happened since World War II, but the world was not so peaceful in the past fifty years, and the sword is still hanging up above everybody. From the Gulf War at the beginning of the 1990s, to the recent Afghanistan War and Iraq War, small-scale wars have constantly doing tremendous damages to the human world. Now people can see from the Korea Nuclear Crisis that, with more countries that had got to know about nuclear power, the hidden threat of nuclear weapons is getting increasingly evident. Wars turn the pace of human civilization into a standstill; only peace is the firm foundation stone of world development.

But when we make a comprehensive view at the history of mankind, we can hardly find a period in which no war had taken place. As long as the disputations of territory, religious beliefs, and political beliefs still exist, wars seem to be inevitable. Therefore, although peace is a necessary condition of development, what we have to change are not wars themselves, but the human desire that starts them.

2.POLLUTION

The development of industry brought about great benefits to human beings, but such development was based on predatory exploitation and production aiming at maximum profit. The assumption of traditional industries is that natural resources are limitless and the capacity of the environment is infinite. The environmental and social benefits were ignored in such industries, which resulted in the scarcity of almost all recognizable resources and the increasingly serious environmental problems of modern days.

Fortunately, with the awareness of environmental protection, many nations have already reached agreement on reducing pollution, and have promulgated corresponding laws and regulations. But, several laws and rules cannot govern the whole world, and the pollution problem cannot be solved only by small groups of people. In this vast world, there are always some people who are after the short-term profits, but are totally indifference to the survival of their children. With the existence of these people, pollution can never be eliminated, and the effort of most people to reduce pollution is bound to be fruitless.

3.PRODUCTIVITY

It is indubitably that our social productivity has boosted in the past decades. But we still have to notice that in many remote and developing areas of the world, people still have to improve productivity at the cost of natural environment in order to survive. Production is really important, but we should not cost our environment to improve it. Such thing is not at all improvement, but backslide.

In the past, human beings seem to believe that the self-adjustment of the nature could guarantee infinite growth. However, the predatory production has already damaged the zoology of the earth and the life of human beings. Now, the Nature is retaliating against us. Therefore, we cannot depend our development on the limited resources of the Nature. The Club of Rome believed that we should control our growth that was based on the natural resources; otherwise the human society is bound to collapse. But I think we can have growth, because we cannot ignore those people whose survival problem is not yet solved. So we must have growth, but we have to depend it on the power of we human beings, on the science and technology of human civilization, rather than on the limited energy of our planet.

The Core of Development

After we have talked about the matters of peace, pollution, and productivity, we find that the focus of the whole matter is only one word, which is also the last P I want to expatiate on. It is the very core of development—People.

4.PEOPLE

The establishment of a peaceful world, the reduction of pollution, and the improvement of productivity, everything of our world development ultimately relies on the effort of we human beings. The power and values of people will deeply affect every aspect of world development. Our future is actually in our own hands.

All people of the world are originally brothers and sisters, but why do we keep fighting each other? I am always thinking about this question. Every time I listen to Michael Jackson’s Heal the World, I feel deeply sorrowful about the reality. A small portion of people always controls the terrible war machinery, but the harm they do to the world is hard to estimate. Only when the ambitions of these people are eliminated, will true peace set in and growth be continued.

We should respect and maintain our own environment. Environmental protection should be considered the precondition of growth. We live on this planet, so it is our home. If we had glorious civilization but a destroyed home, what was the meaning of such civilization?

Our future rests with our own abilities, which not only includes the abilities to survive and develop, but also our values. We should alter the notion that looks at short-term profit rather than long-term growth.

In China we have an old saying that people are born with a good nature. I always believe in it. No one has the instinct for wars, killings, and destructions. Therefore, our urgent task is to establish a harmonious value system of all nations and all human beings, to make everyone endeavor for the same goal—the welfare of all people. Once such a system is established, our human development and civilization will be truly realized.

By Zhang Zhenbo

The general topic of 33rd ISC-Symposium is “Seeking Response in Times of Uncertainty”. World-wide stagnation in trade development, political uncertainty and the increasingly problematic effects of globalization have led to an increasing loss of faith in the market system and the consequences of business depression in recent years, which in wider circles have been viewed as the consequence of failure by decision-makers to take on their responsibilities. What is your opinion? How can we deal with the challenge ahead of us ?Where can we seek the response to those problems? We are waiting for your creative ideas.

第33届圣加仑论文大赛的话题是“多变时代求应对”。由于全球贸易发展处于滞胀阶段，政治关系方面的不稳定状态，以及全球化发展所带来的日益增多的负面问题，直接导致了人们对市场信心的不断下降，和近些年来商业发展萧条的恶果。对于这种现象，越来越多的人把它归咎与政府决策者没有充分行使他们的责任。你是怎么看待这个问题的？现在我们应该如何应对面前的这些挑战，在哪我们能找到这些问题的解决方法呢？就这些问题，我们静候您的独到见解。

JEAN’S BIRTHDAY

It is September 19^th, 2002, a great day to Jean, since it is her tenth birthday.

As the sunlight slowly sprawled from her jaw to her forehead, Jean sensed Mum walk quietly to her bed, and give her a kiss on the cheek, “ It’s time to get up, my dear. I’ve already prepared the breakfast for you.” Jean opened her eyes and saw the smiling face of Mum. After dressing herself up, Jean walked downstairs from her bedroom to the dining room. On seeing the beloved daughter, Jean’s father waved to her at the dining table,“Oh, my sweetie! Come and have breakfast with your Dad. And then I’ll take you to school.”

——Dring! Dring!

Suddenly, the alarm clock began to ring loudly. Jean woke up and realized that she had had a dream again.

However, such had been no dream until the end of last year, when both her father and mother were elected general manager of their own company respectively. Since then, they have been so busy that they have little time to be spent with their daughter. They have to leave very early in the morning, and come back very late in the evening. So they bought her an alarm clock, and it has acted as her morning call ever since.

“But it’s my birthday. I expected that Mum and Dad would give me a surprise in the morning,” thought Jean, as she reluctantly opened her eyes. “All right. Since it’s still a Thursday, but not a weekend, Mum and Dad still have to go to work as well as I’ll have to go to school. I’m sure they won’t forget my birthday. Maybe something surprising is waiting for me on the dining table.”

Quickly dressed herself up, Jean rushed to the dining table. To her disappointment, there was nothing but bread and milk on it, just as usual. Since Mum no longer has time to prepare breakfast for Jean in the morning, she bought a microwave oven so that Jean can heat her breakfast in it. Putting the milk and bread into the microwave oven and switching it on as she’s been doing every morning for nearly a year, Jean tried to comfort herself, “Maybe they’re going to give me a surprise in the evening when I come back from school. They’ve promised to spend a wonderful evening with me on my tenth birthday. I’m sure they won’t forget their promise.”

After finished her breakfast, Jean walked out hurriedly to the car waiting for her outside the door. Ever since her father became the general manager of his company, he has employed a driver to drive her to school instead of taking her there himself. Sitting in the car, Jean thought to herself, “How I wish Dad could take me to school as before! He used to tell many humorous stories and interesting jokes on the way. But now, Dad hardly ever spend any time with me.”

Jean entered the classroom and sat down. The classmates sitting beside her all wished her a “Happy Birthday”. One of them asked, “What will your parents give you as your birthday present? A big birthday cake?” Before Jean opened her mouth, another girl broke in, “Don’t you know how rich her family is? Both her parents are general managers. And they can give her as many cakes as she wants. Am I right, Jean?” Jean smiled, but gave no reply. “Really? How happy you are!” “Oh! Jean! How I admire you!” many of them gave such exclamation. Jean shrugged her shoulders, but still said nothing. She has begun to dream of the wonderful night with her parents.

When class was at last over, the same driver picked Jean up at school and drove her home.

Standing in front of the door, Jean could see no light from inside the window.

“May be they’re going to surprise me.” Jean anxiously opened the door.

“Mum! Dad! I’m back.”

There is no answer.

Jean turned on the light. No one is at home.

“Ding dong!” Suddenly, the doorbell rang.

“They’ve come back!” Jean rushed to the door.

Standing outside was a stranger.

“Are you Miss Thomson?”

“Yes.”

“Mr. Thomson has ordered this cake and this present for you. He wishes you a happy birthday.”

“Thank you.”

Jean took over the cake and the present, put them on the table, and lied herself in the sofa.

Just at that time, the telephone rang.

“Hello, my sweetie. Happy birthday to you!”

“Thank you, Dad. But where are you?”

“I’m still in the company. I will have an important meeting later. So…”

“But it’s my birthday! And you’ve promised…”

“Yes. But you know, now Dad is the general manager. That means I am in charge of the company. By the way, I’ve already ordered a birthday cake and a beautiful present for you. Have you received them?”

“Yes.”

“Fine. My sweetie, excuse me, I really can’t accompany you tonight .Why not inviting some friends to have a party with you tonight? …”

Jean hung up the phone unpleasantly.

“Then will Mum be able to come back?” Jean wanted to know. So she phoned her Mother.

“Hello! Oh, it’s you, my dear! Happy birthday to you! I just planned to phone you.”

“Mum, will you be able to come back?”

After a moment’s silence, her mother replied, “I’m so sorry, my dear. Mum is too busy to come back now. What do you want as your birthday present? Mum will buy anything you want.”

“Nothing except you!” Jean felt very sad.

“My dear, Mum also wish to be with you. But you know…”

“Don’t tell me it’s also because you’re the general manager.”

“Yes, I know you’re most understanding. All right, I’ll have to continue working now. I’ll give you a mobile phone as your birthday present, Ok? Wish you a happy birthday! Mum loves you!”

Jean stared blankly at the birthday cake on the table, tears began to run down her cheeks.

After a while, she rushed upstairs into her bedroom, lying prone in her bed, sobbing bitterly.

“Work! Work! Always work! And I hate manager! Manager’s robbed me of Mum and Dad. My classmates all admire me because I’m rich. But can rich bring me everything I want? I can no longer have my amiable mother and humorous father with me!”

Then she fell asleep. And she had a dream.

When she returns home, there is a big cake lying on the table.

Mum greets her with a smile, “Happy birthday, my dear!”

“Thank you, Mum.”

“Oh, happy birthday, my sweetie! Come and see what I’ve bought you!” Dad walks out from his room with a beautifully packed box.

“What’s in it, Dad?”

“Just open it.”

“Oh, what beautiful candles!” Inside the box are ten candles with different color, each with Jean’s name on it.

While Mum prepares the dinner, Jean sits on Dad’s knees, listening to his interesting stories happily.

After the dinner, Mum put the candles onto the cake, and lighted them.

“Now make a wish, Jean.”

“I wish Mum and Dad can spend every birthday with me like today. No so-called ‘manager’ or work will part us!”

What a happy time! Jean smiled in her dream.

By Wu Jiayin

The general topic of the 32nd ISC-Symposium was "Pushing Limit-Questioning Goals". The starting point for the development of the topic was the idea that all areas of human endeavor are subject to the dichotomy between goals and limits. Many hitherto accepted goals must be challenged in a constructive manner, and adapted to new circumstances. Once more, the ISC’s goal was to use the general topic as a basis on which to design a programme which would use plenary discussions, Special Sessions and Leadership Sessions to find a point of departure for constructive exchange and informal dialogue which would transcend national and generational boundaries.

第32届圣加仑论文大赛的话题是“突破限制-质疑目标”。这一话题的出发点是基于这样的认识，即人类在各个领域所做的努力都面临着目标与局限对立存在的局面。很多迄今为止被广泛接受的目标都必须在有用性方面做出证明，并且适应新的环境。与以前一样，圣加仑论坛希望能在这一话题的基础上展开讨论，通过全体讨论、特别会议以及领导人会议等方式，超出国界的限制和年龄的隔阂，在建设性交流和非正式谈话上就这一问题有所建树。

If Lao-tse were the CEO of Enron

Overview:

The ultimate goal of being the No.1 pushes multinational companies to extend to every f