Fifty per cent of the world’s population is under the age of 27, but
the youth voice has been largely absent from global decision-making
platforms and processes
World Economic Forum will bring its 41-year experience of building
multistakeholder communities to a global platform for this dynamic
generation
Global Shapers are 20-30 years of age, with great potential for future
leadership roles in all sectors of society. For more information about
the Global Shapers community: www.weforum.org/globalshapers
Dalian, Peoples’ Republic of China, 14 September 2011 – The World
Economic Forum today announced the creation of the Global Shapers
community. Launched at its Annual Meeting of the New Champions 2011,
the community will provide youth with a global platform to shape the
future – integrating personal, community and global dimensions.
Working in collaboration with the Forum of Young Global Leaders, this
community will help youth develop their leadership potential to serve
society.
The Global Shapers community will include extraordinary young
individuals with great potential for future leadership roles in
society. Aged between 20 and 30 years, they represent all walks of
life and share a spirit of entrepreneurship in the global public
interest. They have an entrepreneurial track record; have already
initiated and delivered a major project or founded a company or
organization; contribute exceptionally to serving society at large;
and are ready to deeply engage in the community, reinforcing its
mission and objectives and supporting fellow Shapers in their
individual and professional development.
Shapers are organized in a network of local hubs based in major cities
around the world. They will undertake events and activities that
generate a positive impact within their local community. The community
is vitalized by the manifold interactions generated inside each hub,
between hubs and on a global level. Complementing face-to-face
meetings, emphasis will be placed on the virtual dimension – enabling
shapers to collaborate and learn from each other through the community
platform. Global Shapers will have an impact by catalysing and
enhancing – individually and collectively – fresh ideas and
entrepreneurial solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges.
Shapers will also cross-mentor with other World Economic Forum
communities.
Global Shapers are chosen by their local city hubs through a rigorous
nomination and selection process run in collaboration with the Forum’s
Young Global Leaders. More than 75 city hubs have been established to
date, including New York, Santo Domingo, Mexico City, London, Geneva,
Amsterdam, Kiev, Amman, Johannesburg, New Delhi, Ulaanbaatar and more.
In China, the Global Shapers community is being developed in
collaboration with Youth Business China (YBC), a non-profit
educational programme promoting youth entrepreneurship through
mentoring and skills development. YBC and the Forum share a
multistakeholder approach to development, engaging mentors from
business, government and civil society organizations to help young
leaders reach their full potential.
As part of the global launch, a further 40 city hubs will be developed
in China and the first Shapers from China, nominated and selected by
YBC, have joined the Annual Meeting of New Champions 2011 and will
meet with Young Global Leaders, Technology Pioneers and other eminent
leaders to exchange views.
“With 50% of the world’s population under the age of 27, the majority
of whom live in urban areas, a new global dynamic is emerging,” said
Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic
Forum. “We are becoming increasingly aware that solutions to our
global challenges must purposefully engage youth at all levels –
locally, regionally, nationally and globally. This generation has the
passion, dynamism and entrepreneurial spirit to shape the future.”
“It is significant that the millennial generation consider themselves
as active agents of change rather than passive bystanders.” said David
Aikman, Head of the Global Shapers community, “In a recent Euro RSCG
study, 92% agree that the world must change; 84% consider it their
duty to drive this change; and almost 82% believe they have the power
to make it happen. In large part, this generation is increasingly
self-empowered and given access to information and technology, which
has catalysed tremendous opportunities for interaction and
collaboration.”
Zhou Changkui, Chairman of Board of Trustees, made a statement at the
signing ceremony on behalf of the Ying Foundation: “Youth is the
future of our country, the hope of our nation and the significant
driving force to promote human progress. The Chinese government
attaches great importance to youth development, and offers young
people greater platforms to participate and devote themselves to
social development with developed and implemented youth policies from
the strategic and long-term perspective. Nowadays, since youth
development has become a part of global development goals, young
people are of great significance as community contributors rather than
passive receivers or the cause of social problems. They learn from
each other and enhance mutual understanding and friendship to
undertake responsibilities to address the global challenges we face
together through this international platform.”
He added: “We are willing to work together with the youth from
different countries to establish a harmonious world with lasting peace
and common prosperity. Let’s work together for the better future!”