WEF gears up to hit 50 with a focus on sustainability
The World Economic Forum will mark its 50th annual meeting at the Swiss resort of Davos by launching a manifesto for a more sustainable capitalism.
This content was published on
2 minutes
Keystone-SDA/ds
The organisation unveiled on Thursday the theme of the January 21 to 24 meeting: “Actors for a more coherent and sustainable world”.
A standard for the economic, social and governance objectives will be unveiled to the 3,000 attendees of the 2020 WEF meeting.
“People are revolting against the economic ‘elites’ they believe have betrayed them,” stated WEF founder Klaus SchwabExternal link, referring specifically to shortfalls in efforts to curb global warming.
Two years after the first WEF (then called the European Management ForumExternal link), a manifesto was approved in 1973 to affirm that the economy should benefit everyone, from shareholders to customers, employees and populations. At the request of business leaders, the manifesto will be revamped to better confront the challenges of the 21st century.
The organisation wants to prove that the goals of sustainable development and spreading prosperity to more people is compatible with economic growth. It will launch a plan to boost the skills of a billion people over the next decade.
Another initiative to be launched is a format to establish a direct dialogue between young people and the heads of large companies.
WEF also wants to show that it seeks to be exemplary in limiting its climate impact. It aims for the meeting to be neutral in terms of greenhouse gas emissions.
The organisation encourages all participants to use commercial rather than private flights. Of the 200 vehicles deployed at WEF, about half are electric and the other half hybrid. The institution will cover part of the transport costs of those who opt to take the train. Another commitment is more vegetarian food.
What do you think Switzerland’s Alain Berset can bring to the Council of Europe?
The former interior minister is to become the first Swiss Secretary General of the Council of Europe – which issues should his five-year term focus on?
How is your country dealing with the return of stolen artifacts?
Western nations like Switzerland often have to deal with the process of recovering or returning looted artifacts which have been illegally imported. What’s the situation like in your country?
Swiss cinemas report drop in admissions in first half of 2024
This content was published on
The decline in cinema-goers has continued so far this year. Swiss films and smaller cinemas are holding up better than big US productions and multiplex.
Spread of Japanese beetle leads to lawn-watering bans in Basel
This content was published on
Basel City authorities have extended an infestation zone with strict guidelines to a good third of the canton’s territory.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Are companies and consumers ready to shun plastic?
This content was published on
The massive amount of plastic pollution has ignited public concern as well as debate in Davos, but the real work is still to come.
This content was published on
There is so much talk about the lack of women at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos that their stories often get lost.
Colourful impressions of the World Economic Forum 2019
This content was published on
As the WEF annual general meeting draws to an end in Davos, we reflect on a hectic week of networking, brainstorming, protesting – and queuing.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.