Charles Buchanan, the Bellagio Forum first chairman as well as a founding member, began the session by reflecting on the Forum’s beginnings. At that time, said Buchanan, organizations weren’t devoted to sustainable development. “The initial objectives of the Bellagio Forum were to create partnerships among foundations to carry out actions in collaboration, to build trust and attack the most challenging issues they could identify,” said Buchanan. “Today the group is larger, and the way we perceive the challenges a bit different, but this remains a key strength of the Forum.” He stated that “always with a purpose” was the theory behind the working groups.

Bellagio Forum Chairman Michael Hölz added that the Bellagio Forum is also where the corporate and foundation worlds combine. The Forum, he explained, brings together partnerships and fosters dialogue. Collaboration, said Somerville, is the reason why the Bellagio Form has “worked.”

Upon acknowledging the multi-sectoral, collaborative nature of the Bellagio Forum, Peter Goldmark then questioned why the press does not know how to properly cover the issue of sustainable development. He pointed out that, based on his experience at the International Herald Tribune, it is good to focus on editors, who are the gatekeepers to the broader public. However, it was also stated that lower level journalists have an interest in sustainable development and are ready to make the topic “sound exciting.” Goldmark maintained that more work needs to be done on how long-term as well as complex, scientific issues are covered in the press and encouraged Forum members to take this into consideration.