Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 27-29 April 2011
Laying the Foundation for a Latin American Decade

World leaders tapped into the Social Media Corner at Rio de Janeiro to share their session highlights and discuss the ideas and actions they would take away.

Thoughts on Global Governance by Moises Naim,

Senior International Economics Program at Carnergie Endowment

Take-aways on womens development by Laura Liswood,

Secretary General of the Council of Women World Leaders

Talking Global Risks by Arturo Condo,

President of INCAE Business School

Watch all the regions most influential leaders discuss their views here

Sports: Going for Gold, Goals and Growth

"We’d like to show the world a new Brazil," said Renato Augusto Villela, Secretary of State for Finance, Government of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (left).

Brazil must use the World Cup and Olympics to build a legacy. The country lacks infrastructure such as public transport networks, ports and airports, highways, and hotels. It will be easier to add that infrastructure thanks to the massive investment needed to prepare for these big events. 

Both for London 2012 and Rio de Janeiro 2016, the Olympic Games are “an enormous opportunity economically, but you have to get it right and it is possible to get it wrong,” said Tony Blair, UN Middle East Quartet Representative; Global Agenda Council on Conflict Prevention. 

Read the session summary

Latin America's Social Entrepreneurs of the Year

Five social entrepreneurs were awarded the title of Social Entrepreneur of the Year during the 2011 World Economic Forum on Latin America in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The Latin America Social Entrepreneur of the Year awards were conferred by Klaus Schwab, Co-Founder of the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship, and Mirjam Schoening, Head of the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship, following the opening plenary of the meeting. The winners are: Francesco Piazzesi (Mexico), Felipe Vergara (Colombia), Claudia Valladares, Banca Comunitaria Banesco (Venezuela), Tomas Recart, Enseña Chile, (Chile), Roberto Kikawa, Projeto Cies, (Brazil)

Press Releases EN ES PT 

The hospital in a vehicle - read Roberto Kikawa's story on the blog

A Vision for Managing Natural Disaster Risk 

The number of recent severe natural disasters has shown that there is much work to be done to reduce human suffering and the significant impact on livelihoods. A World Economic Forum initiative – Financial Impact of Global Shocks – was initiated to address these effects and has produced a report entitled A Vision to Manage Natural Disaster Risk. The report delivers concrete recommendations to address issues and constrained resources through a multistakeholder approach. Its central pillars are building awareness of risk exposure, investment in resilience, and financial preparedness.

Read the report Press Releases EN PT ES

PwC's Facts on Latin America 

Find fast facts illustrating some of the topics tackled during the World Economic Forum on Latin America on the Knowledge Concierge, courtesy of PwC. View illustrations, charts and graphs on issues thatmatter to business and society-at-large. Learn more

Co-Chair Frederico Fleury Curado calls for Public-Private Partnerships

"It is the strengthening of our democracies, with social inclusion, which has induced sustainable growth," according to Frederico Fleury Curado, Embraer President and Chief Executive Officer. He is also the Co-Chair of the World Economic Forum on Latin America. 

Work to advance progress in Latin America has to be done “hand in hand, government and the private sector,” he says. “Time has come to roll up our sleeves and work,” he adds, pointing to infrastructure projects as well as fiscal and education reform. “Nothing of this is easy,” says Curado. Watch the video