World Economic Forum is an international organization that promotes discussion and action on a wide range of global issues. The organization provides a framework for interaction between business leaders and representatives from government, education, labor, and other fields. In its meetings and events, the World Economic Forum addresses such topics as economic development, business ethics, and various social and political developments. The membership of the organization includes prominent companies from around the world. Numerous others act as strategic partners. The forum’s headquarters are in Geneva, Switzerland.
The World Economic Forum organizes a number of high-profile events, including its weeklong Annual Meeting. At the Annual Meeting, business leaders, government officials, and other individuals take part in a series of discussions and workshops that focus on various challenges facing the world. The meeting traditionally takes place in Davos, Switzerland. In addition to its meetings, the World Economic Forum manages special groups and projects devoted to specific areas of concern, such as agricultural trade and water resource management. Membership fees finance the organization’s activities.
The origins of the World Economic Forum date back to 1970, when Klaus Schwab, a Swiss business professor, arranged an informal meeting of European business leaders. The leaders met in a formal conference the following year. The forum’s original name was the European Management Forum. It adopted its current name in 1987. The World Economic Forum’s website at https://www.weforum.org provides additional information.
See also Globalization.
