World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2009 participants to continue discussions on new virtual 24/7 network

Matthias Lüfkens, Associate Director, Media, Tel.: +41 (0)79 514 4781; matthias.luefkens@weforum.org

• Beta version of online social network for world leaders to be launched in Davos-Klosters at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2009
• World Economic Leaders Community (WELCOM) designed to connect leaders to global issues
• WELCOM designed with help from Adobe Systems, BT and Microsoft: http://www.weforum.org/welcom

Davos-Klosters, Switzerland, 30 January 2009 − Participants at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2009 will continue their discussions about the key issues on the global agenda in a new virtual network. WELCOM, the World Economic Leaders Community, is a social network exclusively reserved for the Partners and Members of the World Economic Forum.

A beta version of WELCOM, designed with help from the Forum’s Technology Partners Adobe Systems, BT and Microsoft, will be launched on Saturday 31 January at a special session during the Annual Meeting 2009 in Davos-Klosters starting at 09.00 CET and streamed on the Forum’s website (http://www.weforum.org).

WELCOM is designed to connect leaders to global issues. WELCOM members will engage in virtual meetings with video-enabled collaboration, exchange or share documents for concurrent collaboration, and discuss topics live at any moment of the day. Members can also set up private rooms and invite guest experts to participate when needed.

The key objective of WELCOM is to allow intra-group collaboration, with public and private areas to discuss, share documents, post ideas and brainstorm through discussion threads or schedule events for the community members. The community can highlight its activities via a public page, accessible to the world, to share breakthrough ideas, results and relevant documents.

WELCOM will also have the traditional features of social networks, such as the ability to share personal and professional details and manage personal contact lists.

“WELCOM's potential is uniquely significant. It is so much more than just a social network for world leaders. It is an enabler, a facilitator, a catalyst, a source where our Members can learn, share, engage and push the envelope of ideas and action,” said Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum. “With WELCOM, the Forum has a unique opportunity to provide these means, nurture the passion, share insights and build on them.”

Click on the video to watch the reactions of the WELCOM Technology Partners.

“Adobe technologies power engaging experiences in virtually every medium and across a wide range of screens,” said Robert Tarkoff, Senior Vice-President and General Manager of Adobe Systems’ Business Productivity Business Unit. “Ideally, Forum Members will leverage WELCOM as a new way to communicate and collaborate with each other – and engage the broader civil society in solving tough issues.”

“BT is excited to be working in collaboration with the Forum and the other Technology Partners to deliver WELCOM,” said Matt Bross, Chief Executive Officer of BT Innovate, and Group Chief Technology Officer of BT. “WELCOM users will be able to network with peers, have access to the world's experts and be able to manage crises in real time. WELCOM enables us to tackle global challenges together, utilizing self-forming communities, shaping the Forum agenda through online and off-line events.”

“Microsoft is built on innovation, and believes in the power of technology partnerships to positively impact social issues,” said Jean-Philippe Courtois, President of Microsoft International. “WELCOM is designed to bring people together so they can communicate from any place in the world, anytime.”

WELCOM marks an important first step for what will become “the” platform where the World Economic Forum and its constituents can truly achieve a 24/7 participation to tackle present and future challenges.

_____________________________________________

The World Economic Forum is an independent international organization committed to improving the state of the world by engaging leaders in partnerships to shape global, regional and industry agendas.

Incorporated as a foundation in 1971, and based in Geneva, Switzerland, the World Economic Forum is impartial and not-for-profit; it is tied to no political, partisan or national interests (http://www.weforum.org).