Managing change : the public-private partnership as a key factor of success Introduction Crisis and change The world of this new millennium is one in which conflicts and risks of a new kind are increasingly present. The world has not become more peaceful. Acts of terrorism, and wars between conflicting cultures and political systems are making normal economic exchanges and travel increasingly difficult. The spread of the market economy may well have increased productivity and prosperity but it has also aggravated competition between places. Our blue planet is increasingly under the threat of a deteriorating environment and new syndromes that endanger health. The process of globalisation, regarded as irreversible, has left its mark in many areas, altering economic and social structures. It has also accelerated the squandering of our limited supply of resources, and has produced serious pollution of the biosphere. The globalisation process makes the whole world sit up and pay attention to events and problems that often originate in obscure places around the planet. Controlling these unforeseen problems and events is a growing preoccupation of the social, economic and political institutions. Companies are increasingly having to resort to crisis management and governments to the adoption of emergency measures. But they can only offer short-term solutions to most of these problems. Changes in basic structures and the environment are aggravating the situation. Planning with foresight, pro-active responses Preventing crises from occurring and ensuring that development can take place smoothly and without stress or strain is the unrealised dream of the various institutions responsible for human affairs. Governments create constitutions to provide a stable and reassuring environment of law and order. Everything possible is done to limit the swings of the business cycle as much as possible. Efforts are also made to reduce the squandering of scarce resources and prevent pollution of the environment. In the words of the French philosopher Montesquieu "gouverner, c'est prévoir" -- the job of the modern state is to gaze intently into its crystal ball and try to anticipate the worst. It must also be ready to seize favourable opportunities to push development in the right direction, while at the same time planning ahead with foresight to avoid catastrophes. Pro-active management of change has become a by-word in business circles. The strategic planners of corporations try to minimise risks and optimise profitability. Sustainable development as a political strategy for the long term The concept of sustainable development adopted by the international community at the world summits of Rio de Janeiro in 1992 and Johannesburg in 2002 has made a significant contribution to the development of long-term strategies for development. At this critical juncture in world development, with changes occurring at an ever faster pace, the concept offers a badly needed alternative to the short-termism of the normal hectic political process. Since 1999 the " Tourism Summits Chamonix Mont-Blanc " have focused attention on sustainable development in the context of tourism. Indeed at these annual conferences we try to think long and hard about a new and sustainable balance between the often conflicting forces of development at the ecological, economic, social and cultural levels. Thanks to information technology we are able to share the insights thus gained with interested parties around the world. At this 5th " Tourism Summits " of 2003 we shall attempt to show how the knowledge we have obtained can be put to practical use in a radically changing environment that is subject to sudden crises.