The World Economic Forum of Davos and the World Social Forum of Porto Alegre embody in some way the Gospel's parable of The Rich Man and The Poor Lazarus, (Luke, 16, 19-31). In Davos, issues of economics, material goods and money prevail. Until recently, the rich of the world gathered in those meetings to discuss money, interests, markets, inflation and, above all, earnings. They were blind and deaf to the clamor emanating from the Earth, as a result of the tragic destiny of the poor and the devastation of nature. Social issues, non-material goods and the certainty that another world is possible predominate in Porto Alegre. The representatives of Lazarus the poor gather there from around the world. Their agenda includes spiritual and humanitarian goods as respect for diversity, solidarity, compassion, caring for nature, rejection of all types violence and war, commitment to lasting peace, ecumenism among religions and social democracy without end. Davos and Porto Alegre show humanity under threat of bifurcation: on one side is the third of humanity with access to all the amenities of life, dreaming of living to be 130, the life span of their cellular structure; and on the other, the two thirds who survive as best they can, with the scarce resources left over by the other third, who with luck, may endure to the age of 60. How can we maintain humanity united as species and as a family living in the same Common House, since we have no other place to live? That is the ethical and humanistic challenge for all political powers, for religions and Churches, for intellectuals, for activists for a better world and for all human beings who are aware of the tragedy that may befall humanity. The main significance of President Lula's participation in both gatherings lies in its transcendental meaning: to establish bridges, to create the conditions for the necessary dialogue about the future of the Earth and of Humanity, starting with the demands of the World Social Forum, in hope of forestalling this bifurcation. President Lula showed in Davos the scandal of hunger and exclusion. The path does not lie in the capitalist economy, guided by accumulation without limits, within the logic of competition. In capitalism only the strongest win, at the price of high levels of social and environmental inequity. If we pass though those portals, we will justify the filthy rich who are concerned only with numbers and with the evil metal's shine. We must enter through the door of the social because there, immediately, we will encounter millions of others with their marked faces, and be confronted by the pillaging of nature. Facing the other, the ethical question arises: How to treat humans humanely, and with an eye to nature? When we answer these burning questions, we are pressured to prioritize: the economy must serve policies that, in turn, are subject to ethical considerations that, for their part, must be inspired by an integral and spiritual comprehension of the human being. This is to say, the means of economic life must guarantee social and political coexistence, governed by ethical values of justice, equity, participation and respect for human rights in the context of a spiritual aura that provides the main motivation that give life its transcendental sense. Davos and Porto Alegre are mutually challenging to each other. Will the day come when they will embrace each other? Enough of rational sermons. Then, there will be neither the filthy rich nor the poor Lazarus, but citizens who find joy in living together with others, and also in being at peace with nature. * Leonardo Boff. Theologian. Free translation from the Spanish sent by santoro_aghata@latinmail.com, info@alainet.org and by mj.gm@voila.fr, done at REFUGIO DEL RIO GRANDE, Texas.