Listening to the Voice of Labour
Introduction
The Forum engages regularly with the Labour Leaders Community, comprised of heads of leading global, regional, national and industry-specific labour and trade unions around the world.
Labour Leaders are integrated into the Annual Meeting and regional meetings, and are engaged year-round in other work of the Forum including cross-cutting initiatives, task forces and industry-specific projects.
Labour has contributed to substantive work at the Forum via the Global Education Intiative, Global Digital Divide Initiative, Task Force on Institutions of Globalization, Private Equity Project, Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship, and Young Global Leaders Programme.
The Labour Leaders Advisory Group provides a structure for frequent communication, consultation, and engagement with the Labour community throughout the year. The Advisory Group ensures that the Forum is kept abreast of key issues of concern to Labour Leaders, their organizations and members.
Solving the Energy Efficiency Equation
Saturday 29 January, 14.00 - 15.00
What is holding back industry and government from
achieving greater gains in energy efficiency?
The following dimensions will be addressed:
- Clean energy and technology developments- Changes in industry practices- Government and business relations- Adapted policy frameworks.
Key Points
Energy efficiency is good for
competitiveness and the environment; yet the gains that have been made fall far
short of what could potentially be achieved.The reasons include the failure to fully
involve consumers, non-implementation by ...
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January 29, 2011
Smart Mobility: The Future Today
Friday 28 January, 15.30 - 16.15
How
is the integration of information, telecommunication and transportation
technology changing the future of mobility?A
visual exploration of:
-
Technological innovation-
New business models-
National development strategies
Key Points
New technologies for electric vehicles
are promising many benefits.The roadblocks for electric vehicles are
being removed and manufacturing is rising.Collaborative consumption continues to
grow.
Synopsis
Online Electric Vehicles (OLEVs) draw power via induction from ...
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January 28, 2011
World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2011
Browse the ReportSession VideosHighlights from Saturday 29 JanuaryHighlights from Friday 28 JanuaryHighlights from Thursday 27 JanuaryHighlights from Wednesday 26 JanuaryQuotes from Meeting ParticipantsThe Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos-Klosters is perhaps best known to the world at large simply as "Davos". It is much more than a simple get-together of global leaders from many fields in a Swiss ski resort, however.The Annual Meeting provides a rethinking of our systems and exploration of strategies and solutions that have positive transformational implications. For...
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January 26, 2011
NGOs: connecting policymakers to the grassroots
Non-governmental organizations play a variety of roles in partnering with the Forum to improve the state of the world, including serving as a bridge between business, government and civil society, connecting the policy makers to the grassroots, bringing practical solutions to the table, calling their peers to account, and acting as the mouthpiece for the voiceless who are often left out of decision-making processes.NGOs participate in the Forum's Annual Meeting, the Annual Meeting of New Champions, and the regional summits. Throughout the year, NGO CEOs and specialists contribute to the Forum...
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November 18, 2010
Thought leadership through art, culture and sport
The Forum is at a crossroads of a unique network of thinkers, innovators and entrepreneurs whose activities provide a catalyst to Forum members' thinking.The incorporation of Artists and Cultural Leaders serves two purposes. Firstly, it provides a platform for cultural leaders to advance their social agenda at the highest level. Secondly, given the high profile of the cultural personalities that we target, it helps to raise awareness and draw attention of other decision makers to the issue. It raises the profile of the issue and it provides an opportunity for action.The aim is to integrate...
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November 18, 2010
Corporate Global Citizenship
The license to operate in a global market and to make profits entails a responsibility of being engaged in society.How should a company engage in society? And, what framework should guide that engagement?The World Economic Forum and its leading partners have been working together to develop answers to these pressing issues.Key Endeavors Include: Professor Klaus Schwab, Executive Chairman and Founder of the World Economic Forum, published an article on Working with Governments and Civil Society in Foreign Affairs journal, To help businesses better coordinate their approaches and...
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November 10, 2010
Corporate Gender Gap
The World Economic Forum’s Corporate Gender Gap Report 2010 is based on a survey of 600 of the heads of Human Resources at the world’s largest employers. The survey contained over 25 questions and assessed companies on representation of women within their establishments and the use of gender-equality practices such as measurement and target-setting, work-life balance policies and mentorship and training. The survey also asked respondents to identify the biggest barriers to women’s leadership and their opinion on the probable effects of the economic downturn on women’s employment in their...
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November 1, 2010
The Global Enabling Trade Report 2010
Singapore and Hong Kong SAR continue to occupy the top two positions followed by Denmark, Sweden and Switzerland in the The Global Enabling Trade Report 2010, released today by the World Economic Forum. New Zealand, Norway, Canada, Luxembourg and the Netherlands complete the top-10 list. Among the large economies, Germany is the best performer at 13th, ahead of the United States, which drops by three places to 19th. China (48th) and Brazil (87th) remain stable, while Turkey (62nd), India (84th) and Russia (114th) drop in the ranking.The results mirror the resilience against the threat of...
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October 24, 2010
The Global Competitiveness Report 2010-2011
Switzerland tops the overall ranking in The Global Competitiveness Report 2010-2011 released by the World Economic Forum. The United States falls two places to fourth position, overtaken by Sweden (2nd) and Singapore (3rd). The Nordic countries continue to be well positioned in the ranking, with Sweden, Finland (7th) and Denmark (9th) among the top 10, and with Norway at 14th. Sweden overtakes the US and Singapore this year to be placed 2nd overall. The United Kingdom, after falling in the rankings over recent years, moves back up by one place to 12th position.The rankings are...
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October 21, 2010
Global Redesign Initiative
The World Economic Forum was founded on the idea of bringing business together with its stakeholders in the belief that common challenges could only be solved together.In the 40 years of the Forum’s history, those challenges – like the Forum itself – have become global.In the aftermath of the economic crisis it’s clear that a return to “business as usual” is not enough.Increased global cooperation is vital for economic recovery and renewal, and in removing barriers the Forum to live up to its commitment to “improve the state of the world”. The only way issues will be positively addressed and...
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October 19, 2010
Asia's Workforce: The Female Factor
Asia's Workforce: The Female FactorThe number of women and men graduating from Chinese universities has reached near parity; however, less than 20% of leadership positions are held by Chinese women.With similar trends in Japan and South Korea, how can business and government work together to seize these new employment and growth opportunities?Key Points• The problem of discrimination for women requires a custom-made solution depending on the country and environment; there is no “one size fits all” answer.• Not only do men and women need to be educated on the career potential of women, but ...
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September 13, 2010
Emerging Green Collar Jobs and Green Entrepreneurship in Asia
By 2030, 2% of the future global workforce in Asia – or 100 million people – will be employed in green jobs, according to a recent study published by the Asia Business Council.With investments in green technologies rising, what models in business and social entrepreneurship are paving the way to new jobs in economies throughout Asia?Key Points• Green entrepreneurs will have to design new business models, including new distribution strategy, to make the cost of using energy-efficient devices more attractive for consumers• Mindset needs to be changed, and promoting green ...
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June 7, 2010
Creating Jobs and Strengthening Social Welfare
Unemployment rates continue
to reach new highs for the decade and 200 million workers, mostly in developing
economies, could be pushed into extreme poverty.
What can be done to assist countries
that are seeking to increase job creation and strengthen their social insurance
systems?
Key Points
During the
recession, global unemployment is estimated to have risen by around 50 million
while working poverty increased by 200 million, coming on top of a longer-term
crisis in the quality of employment – 50% of employees
globally remain in “vulnerable ...
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January 29, 2010
Skills Creation: The Future of Employment
Skills Creation: The Future of EmploymentAlthough unemployment rates continue to rise, there are still 2.6 million jobs unfilled in the US and 4 million in Europe because of a shortage of skilled workers.What imbalances in terms of human capital should be addressed for a sustainable post-crisis recovery?Key Points• Improving the mobility of skilled workers through international standardization of education and training is crucial to addressing the shortage• In the absence of international standards, companies are in a position to create programmes to qualify employees and their ...
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January 27, 2010
World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2010
The theme of the Annual Meeting was Improve the State of the World: Rethink, Redesign, Rebuild. In his opening address, President Nicolas Sarkozy of France said that it would not be possible to emerge from the global economic crisis and protect against future crises if the economic imbalances that are at the root of the problem are not addressed.
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January 27, 2010
Addressing the Employment Crisis
Annual Meeting of the New Champions 2009Addressing the Employment CrisisDalian, People’s Republic of China, 10-12 SeptemberThe International Labour Organization (ILO) forecasts that unemployment could increase from 39 million people in 2007 to 59 million in 2009.With the economic crisis profoundly transforming industries and markets, how can governments and business make sure the labour force is equipped with the skills to ignite the next wave of growth?Key Points• The global economic crisis and the world’s developing unemployment crisis are closely linked. We have not yet seen the ...
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September 12, 2009
Global Redesign Series -- The Future of Labour in Ageing Societies
Annual Meeting of the New Champions 2009Future of Labour in Ageing SocietiesDalian, People’s Republic of China, 10-12 SeptemberBetween now and 2050, the average age around the world is expected to increase by 10 years, and the labour force in many countries is expected to decline.How will ageing societies around the globe transform the world of work, and how must we think about this problem in a global context? Key Points on the Topic• People are now living longer and want to be productive, contributing to the workforce well into their 50s and beyond.• Training, reskilling ...
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September 12, 2009
Jobs, Skills and Unemployment
• John Davies • Obiageli Katryn Ezekwesili • Dale Jones • Kanayo Nwanze • William Lacy SwingModerated by • Guy Pierre Pfeffermann Wednesday 10 June15.30-16.30Panellists discussed how the global economic crisis is compounding the already critical problem of unemployment in Africa, citing particularly the need to focus on previously neglected areas. These included rural unemployment, higher education, entrepreneurship training, migration, government facilitation, Internet access and developing micro-enterprises into small businesses.• The face of ...
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June 10, 2009
From Green Tech to Green Jobs and Economic Growth
From Green Tech to Green Jobs and Economic Growth• Thomas J. Casey • William McDonough • John Monks• Alan E. Salzman • John WoolardModerated by • Björn Stigson Saturday 31 JanuaryGovernments are planning to stimulate economic growth with plans that include at their core investments in the energy, manufacturing and technology industries. The ultimate goal is green jobs at decent wages in a low-carbon world. But what does this mean? Will a cleaner economy create more jobs than it destroys? Who sets the green tech priorities?Key points• Creative disruption is the norm for all ...
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January 31, 2009
Addressing the Employment Challenge
Addressing the Employment Challenge• David Arkless • Philip J. Jennings • Vineet Nayar • Nguyen Thien Nhan • Laurence Parisot • James H. QuigleyModerated by • Rafael Rangel Thursday 29 January If 2008 was a difficult year for business, it was even more difficult for workers. According to labour experts, 2009 could be even worse. More than 200 million people lacked jobs at the end of last year. By next year, another 400 million could be unemployed. This remarkable shift will have many implications for governments, businesses and multinational organizations.Key points• Rising ...
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January 29, 2009
Hot Topic: Human Trafficking for Labour Exploitation
Hot Topic: Human Trafficking for Labour Exploitation• Lakshmi Bhatia • Ali Faramawy • Abdulaziz M. Al Khalifa • John Kielty • Georgette Mosbacher • Rachid M. RachidClosing Remarks: • Suzanne MubarakModerator: • John K. Defterios 16.00-17.15Thursday 20 MayThe scourge of human trafficking is most closely associated with prostitution and other forms of sexual exploitation. However, the problem is actually much more widespread, involving the recruitment, transportation and, in many cases, the virtual enslavement of millions of migrant workers worldwide. Efforts to combat these abuses are ...
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May 19, 2008
The Workforce's New Demographics
The Workforce’s New Demographics·
Barbara J. Beck
·
David E. Bloom
·
David T. Ellwood
·
James H. Quigley Moderated by ·
Herminia IbarraFriday 25 JanuaryPanellists provided a cautionary discussion of the disparate yet convergent trends affecting the global labour market.Some insights from this session include:
Changes under way in workforce demographics have significant importance for the global agenda. The major trends include an ageing population, the return of women to the workforce and shifting migration patterns.
The dominant demographic event of this ...
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January 25, 2008
