Some of the world's leading businessmen and politicians, as well as a number of celebrities, gather in Davos, Switzerland, to attend the World Economic Forum this week.
The forum’s guests vary, among those attending this year’s session: US President Donald Trump, Swedish teenager active in climate change, Greta Thunberg, and Uber CEO, Dara Khusrawshahi.
What is this event attended by prominent businessmen and politicians, and does it represent elite activity limited to these?
What is the World Economic Forum?
The World Economic Forum was launched in 1971. It aimed to "improve the world 's status," according to its documents.
The forum, held annually at the Davos Alpine ski resort, brings together business and trade leaders with prominent leadership figures in the political, academic and charitable spheres.
Many of them take this opportunity to hold private meetings on issues such as investing in their countries and to conclude trade deals.
Prominent personalities often invest in the forum to influence global policy prioritization and push specific issues to the fore of global attention, including but not limited to Prince William's speech last year on mental health, or David Attenborough's blatant warnings about environmental conservation and the impact of climate change.
Who attends the Davos Forum?
The World Economic Forum attracts about 3,000 people, about a third of them from the business sector.
Whoever attends the forum must have received an official invitation, in which case he will be free to enter, or be a member of the World Economic Forum, and this may cost 480,000 pounds.
World leaders, key figures from the United Nations and the European Union, and heads of major corporations such as Coca-Cola, Goldman Sachs and IBM are attending the forum.
Among the guests who used to attend the forum regularly: American billionaire George Soros, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, and Bono, the singer of the famous U2 team.
- Does Davos face criticism?
Not only is this event attracting the world's most prominent actors of actors, but it could be a platform for sharp criticism.
Last year, the well-known Dutch historian, Rutger Bergmann, used the forum platform to criticize those in it for not paying their fair share of taxes.
You will also often see protests coinciding with the forum in Davos and the major Swiss cities.
Ukrainian feminist activists protest against male domination of the global economy.
In 2012, the Wall Street Occupation movement, which is campaigning against inequality, protested in Davos, building a huge igloo hut with about 50 protesters.
- What has Davos achieved?
Many companies use this event to make major pledges on issues such as sustainability (sustaining humanity in a sustainable manner that maintains the vital systems of our planet using optimized natural resources, clean energy, economic and social organization organization) or to improve societal diversity.
The Forum has also made some tangible achievements.
In 1988, meetings between Turkish Prime Minister Turgut Ozal and Greek Andreas Papandreou on the sidelines of the forum led to the restoration of relations between the two countries that were on the brink of war.
In 2000, the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) invented the forum to launch programs to vaccinate millions of children against diseases.
- What are the main moments that can be expected in the forum this year?
Donald Trump will probably be the main attraction after neglecting to attend the forum last year. He is scheduled to deliver a speech on Tuesday, the day the US Senate begins hearing the charges against him in an attempt to activate measures to isolate him.
Meanwhile, activist Greta Thunberg is due to send another message about tackling climate change, as she made her way through the Alps to Davos instead of using public transport.
Other noteworthy names include Sanaa Marin, the 34-year-old Prime Minister of Finland who is the youngest continuously serving prime minister in the world, and the Bollywood star, Deepika Padukone, who will talk about her battle with depression.
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