The annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland took place from 20 to 23 January under the theme “Mastering the Fourth Industrial Revolution”.
I am a regular follower of the World Economic Forum’s website, which – regardless of this one week per year in Davos – is a constant resource of informative and inspirational articles for not just economists, but all types of modern professionals.
It is also on my bucket list to one day be an attendee of this one week buzz in the life of Davos, Switzerland. Now that I have put it in writing, the Universe will no doubt lead me towards fulfilling this goal. This year I have only followed the events from afar, though, and here’s my selection of all the important topics of #WEF2016.
The European Union
There were quite a few discussions about this topic. In a session titled “Europe at a Tipping Point”, participants included Federica Mogherini High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. The speakers discussed the future of the EU and its most demanding problem as of now: the migrant crisis.
In a session called “Britain in the World”, British PM David Cameron’s main points also included the migrant crisis, besides Britain’s future in the EU vs. brexit.
In a discussion about “The Future of Europe”, speakers like French PM Manuel Valls, Greek PM Alexis Tsipras, Dutch PM Mark Rutte discussed the main financial and political perspectives for today’s Europe.
Climate change
Climate change can be a major obstacle in the way of development. This was the major point of the discussion about the “The New Climate and Development Imperative” with the participation of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.
On the session called “A New Climate for Doing Business” Christiana Figueres, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, among others discussed how there is no thinking about the future of economy without taking climate issues into account.
Gender equality
“Progress towards Parity” was the title of the session where Facebook COO and self-proclaimed feminist Sheryl Sandberg, Canadian PM Justin Trudeau, Co-Chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Melinda Gates, among others discussed the importance to bring about gender equality.
Emma Watson, in her capacity as UN Goodwill Ambassador for gender equality and voice of the UN’s HeforShe campaign, also paid a visit at the site of the annual meeting.
Combating AIDS
Bono launched the (RED) initiative 10 years ago in Davos at the 2006 annual meeting of the World Economic Forum. This year they returned to celebrate the achievements of the 10 years fight. The final goal of an AIDS free generation has never been this close.
