Opening of the Annual Meeting 2012

Opening Address by

  • Angela Merkel, Federal Chancellor of Germany

Chaired by

  • Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman, World Economic Forum

Crystal Award Ceremony

The World Economic Forum's Crystal Award honours artists who have used their art to improve the state of the world.

Introduced by

  • Hilde Schwab, Chairperson and Co-Founder, Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship, Switzerland
  • Luc Besson, Filmmaker, Screenwriter and Producer; Founder, EuropaCorp, France
  • Yvonne Ntombizodwa Chaka Chaka, Singer and President, Princess of Africa Foundation, South Africa
  • Midori, Violinist and Founder, Midori Foundation, USA

The Great Transformation Ahead

Conversation with

  • Desmond M. Tutu, Chair, The Elders, South Africa

Chaired by

  • Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman, World Economic Forum

Launch of the Global Shapers Community

  • Luc Besson, Filmmaker, Screenwriter and Producer; Founder, EuropaCorp, France
  • Børge Brende, Managing Director, Government Relations and Constituent Engagement, World Economic Forum
  • Yvonne Ntombizodwa Chaka Chaka, Singer and President, Princess of Africa Foundation, South Africa
  • Angela Merkel, Federal Chancellor of Germany
  • Midori, Violinist and Founder, Midori Foundation, USA
  • Hilde Schwab, Chairperson and Co-Founder, Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship, Switzerland
  • Archbishop Desmond M. Tutu, Archbishop; Chair, The Elders, South Africa
  • Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf, President of the Swiss Confederation and Federal Councillor of the Federal Department of Finance of the Swiss Confederation

Welcoming Remarks by

  • Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman, World Economic Forum; Foundation Board Member