While the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland (24-28 January) has never been known as a meeting place for civil society, this year’s Forum could be the starting point for a change of direction. Admittedly, the programme did not reflect this opportunity as much as actual conversations taking place. Out of 100 sessions under the overall theme ‘The Shifting Power Equation’, just one was dedicated to philanthropy (there were two sessions on tasting fine wines).