Can a single platform bring together politicians, CEOs, academics, and activists to shape the future of the world? That is the mission of the World Economic Forum (WEF), established on 24 January, 1971 by German engineer Professor Klaus Schwab.
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WEF began as the European Management Forum before adopting its current name in 1987. Headquartered in Cologny, Switzerland, with offices in New York, San Francisco, Beijing, and Tokyo, the WEF operates as an International Non-Governmental Organization and think tank shaping global priorities.
Børge Brende is currently serving as President and CEO of World Economic Forum (WEF), while it is chaired on an interim basis by Co-Chairs Larry Fink and André Hoffmann.
The Forum is best known for its annual Davos meeting, held every January in the Swiss Alps, where nearly 3,000 leaders including politicians, business executives, investors, economists, journalists, and celebrities gather for five days of debate across 500 sessions. Funded largely by its 1,000 corporate members, the Forum also hosts regional conferences, publishes influential reports, and builds initiatives on global challenges.
In 2015, Switzerland recognized WEF as an international organization for public-private cooperation. Its mission: “to improve the state of the world” by shaping global, regional, and industry agendas.
Yet, critics argue the Forum suffers from lack of transparency, corporate dominance, and even the environmental footprint of its high-profile meetings. Still, its influence on global policy and business agendas remains undeniable.
📢 Does the World Economic Forum truly serve global interests, or is it more of an elite club?
💬 What do you think? Comments below…