Index
- Introduction. The World Economic Forum
- 1971-1975. The firsts years
- 1976-1980. geographic expansion
- 1981-1985. Environmental and technological issues
- 1986-1990. Globalization and digital economy
- 1991-1995. Increased participation of political leaders
- 1996-2000. Growth in the participation of emerging business leaders
- 2001-2005. Impact of September 11 and globalization on the economy
- 2006-2010. Economic recovery and sustainability
- 2011-2015. Innovation and Corporate Social Responsibility
- 2016-2020. Climate change and the global economy
- 2021-2023. Post-pandemic recovery and sustainable development
- Conclution
1. Introduction. The World Economic Forum
The World Economic Forum, also known as WEF, is a non-profit organization founded in 1971 by Klaus Schwab. Since then, it has been the place where business, political and academic leaders meet to debate and propose solutions to the world’s most important economic, social and environmental challenges. But who has made up the forum over the years, period by period? Next, we’ll take a look at the founding members and leaders who have helped shape the forum from its inception to date.
2. 1971-1975. The firsts years
In 1971, Klaus Schwab founded the World Economic Forum with the goal of fostering dialogue between business leaders and politicians. Founding members included some of Europe’s top business leaders, such as Fiat Chairman Gianni Agnelli and UBS CEO Mathias Pictet. In these early years, the forum focused primarily on economic and political issues in Europe and North America.
3. 1976-1980. geographic expansion
As the forum grew in popularity, so did its geographic reach. In the early 1980s, business leaders and politicians from Asia began to attend. Some of the most prominent members of this decade included the president of General Motors, Roger Smith, and the prime minister of Japan, Yasuhiro Nakasone. The forum also began to address environmental and technological issues.
4. 1981-1985. Environmental and technological issues
In these years, the forum continued to expand its geographic reach and also focused on environmental and technological issues, attracting leaders from all continents. Some of the more notable members included ExxonMobil Chairman Lee Raymond and China President Li Xiannian.
5. 1986-1990. Globalization and digital economy
In these years, the forum has focused on issues related to globalization and the digital economy, attracting high-profile leaders in these fields, such as Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates and Chinese President Jiang Zemin.
6. 1991-1995. Increased participation of political leaders
In these years, the forum saw a significant increase in the participation of political leaders, including personalities such as the President of France, François Mitterrand, and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, John Major. Topics such as innovation and sustainability in the global economy were also discussed.
7. 1996-2000. Growth in the participation of emerging business leaders
In these years, growth was observed in the participation of business leaders from emerging countries, such as the president of the China Electricity Corporation, Zeng Peiyan, and the president of Petroleos de Venezuela, Alí Rodríguez. Topics such as the global economy and corporate social responsibility were also discussed.
8. 2001-2005. Impact of September 11 and globalization on the economy
In these years, the forum focused on the impact of the September 11 attacks on the global economy and globalization. Topics such as innovation in technology and climate change were also discussed. Among the most prominent members of this five-year period are the president of Goldman Sachs, Henry Paulson, and the president of Brazil, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
9. 2006-2010. Economic recovery and sustainability
In these years, the forum focused on economic recovery after the 2008 financial crisis and sustainability in economic development. Some of the more notable members of this decade included the president of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg, and the president of France, Emmanuel Macron.
10. 2011-2015. Innovation and Corporate Social Responsibility
During these years, the forum focused on issues such as innovation and corporate social responsibility. Global economic challenges and changes in the technology sector were also discussed. Among the most prominent members of this five-year period are the president of Google, Eric Schmidt, and the president of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso.
11. 2016-2020. Climate change and the global economy
In these years, the forum focused on issues such as climate change and the global economy. Challenges such as automation and artificial intelligence were also discussed, as well as economic inequality and the role of business in society. Among the most prominent members of this five-year period are the president of Microsoft, Satya Nadella, and the president of India, Narendra Modi.
12. 2021-2023. Post-pandemic recovery and sustainable development
In recent years, the forum has focused on post-pandemic economic recovery and sustainable development. Topics such as resilience in the supply chain, technology to fight the pandemic and equity in the economy have also been discussed. Among the most prominent members of this five-year period are the president of Amazon, Jeff Bezos, and the president of the European Union, Ursula von der Leyen.
In addition, in these years, the importance of inclusion and diversity in the world of work and in the global economy has been discussed. The importance of transparency and ethics in the business world has also been addressed.
13. Conclusion
The World Economic Forum has been a fundamental space for discussing the most important economic, social and environmental challenges in the world. Over the years, it has been led by a variety of influential leaders in their fields, from business people to politicians and academics, who have helped shape the forum into what it is today. It has adapted to address new challenges as the world has changed, and has seen the topics of discussion evolve, from innovation and sustainability in the global economy, to post-pandemic recovery and sustainable development. The World Economic Forum continues to be a key space for discussion and decision-making on global economic issues, and its contribution continues to be vital to the future of the global economy.