Employment and Skills
Commentary and analysis shaping our Global, Regional and Industry agendas
Read our reports on the broad range of global issues we’re seeking to address
Learn about our activities tackling the most significant global challenges through public-private collaboration
Shaping the Future of
- Consumption
- Digital Economy and Society
- Economic Growth and Social Inclusion
- Education, Gender and Work
- Energy
- Environment and Natural Resource Security
- Financial and Monetary Systems
- Food Security and Agriculture
- Health and Healthcare
- Information and Entertainment
- International Trade and Investment
- Long-Term Investing, Infrastructure and Development
- Mobility
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Learn more about our events which work to shape the Global, Regional and Industry agendas
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Committed to improving the state of the world
Agenda
The stories shaping the Global, Regional and Industry agendas
Global Agenda
Cyber Security
Is it wrong for victims of cyber-crime to hack back?
When cyber-attackers continue to elude identification, does it still make sense to defer to the authorities?
Global Health and Healthcare
People are dying because they can't access life-saving drugs. That has to change
Access to medicines is not just a problem for poor countries or neglected diseases – but a global problem affecting people in rich and poor countries alike.
Economic Growth and Social Inclusion
10 must-read economics stories of the week
A list of some of the week’s most interesting stories on economic growth and social inclusion, including the risk to jobs from automation and the euro zone's lost decade.
Economy
Nature vs climate change, the United States of Africa and other must-read stories of the week
A weekly round up of some of the top stories from the past seven days.
Education
World's best university in 2016? The results are out
For the first time ever, a university from outside the United States has topped the Times Educational Supplement's annual ranking.
Entrepreneurship
How Jordan's refugee camps became hubs of sci-fi tech and booming business
Two members of the UN Foundation’s Global Entrepreneurs Council visited Jordan's biggest refugee camp expecting scenes of despair. What they found was innovation and enterprise.
Agriculture, Food and Beverage
Antibiotic resistance is the next great global challenge - we must act now
Bacteria have now evolved to deflect our most powerful antibiotics – and we only have ourselves to blame.
Employment and Skills
Want the perfect job in a fair and diverse workplace? There's an app for that
Video games are taking the bias out of hiring and career advice – and could challenge inequality in traditionally male-dominated jobs.
Gender Parity
'Femtech', child marriage and other must-read gender stories of the week
This week's best stories about how the gender gap plays out around the world – in business, health, education and politics.
Regional Agenda
Africa
Africa’s energy poverty is keeping its people poor
Two in three Africans do not have access to energy. That's keeping people on the continent poor.
Brazil
Deforestation is one of the greatest challenges facing humanity - here’s one way to stop it
To put an end to tropical deforestation and save us from disastrous climate change, we must elect politicians who share the same values. Here's a powerful lesson from Brazil.
Emerging Technologies
Could drones protect India’s women from rapists?
There has been a 35% increase in rapes in India since 2012: could drones be the solution we're looking for?
International Security
15 years after 9/11, this is how the US has changed
We asked seven foreign policy experts: how has the US changed since 9/11?
Africa
A powerful and corrupt elite is robbing Africa of its riches
Tax abuse is a scourge on our global community, but especially for Africa, says Oxfam's Winnie Byanyima.
Gender Parity
Meet the young woman who helped end child marriage in Tanzania
Rebeca Gyumi didn't agree with a law that allowed girls as young as 14 to be married. So she set about changing it.
Africa
The return of the blimp
From first-world-war relic to symbol of a new era of travel in Africa, helium-powered airships are making a comeback.
Africa
Forget natural resources: it’s science and tech that will transform Africa
For years, development efforts in Africa have focused on commodities. Instead, we should be looking to science and technology.
Education
Can community schools ensure a quality education for all in Latin America?
In Latin America children and young people attend school for 4.5 hours per day on average, and nearly 70% of youth abandon their education before entering high school. It's time for this ...
Industry Agenda
Agriculture, Food and Beverage
We're addicted to meat. And it's destroying the planet
As the global population swells towards 10 billion and our appetite for meat continues to grow, feeding the world is going to be both an enormous challenge and an economic opportunity.
Supply Chain and Transportation
What does Hanjin's collapse mean for world shipping?
The bankruptcy of South Korea's container carrier should not come as a surprise
Artificial Intelligence and Robotics
In the machine age, only one type of organization will thrive: a human one
“As traditionally high-skill jobs are increasingly outsourced to machines, humans must develop their deeper human capacities and qualities,” says Dov Seidman.
Future of Consumption
Bargain-hunters: here’s the real cost of that $10 polyester shirt
Your cheap clothes have a hidden cost. But it is possible to be a "conscious consumer" on a budget.
Leadership
5 ways running can make you a better leader
Studies suggest sporting prowess can boost women's career potential. Here's how.
Employment and Skills
The secret to a successful career? One tech mogul shares his story
Don't brag about career success, as much of it is down to luck, says Infosys co-founder Kris Gopalakrishnan.
Employment and Skills
10 questions to find real meaning at work
Paolo Gallo, Head of Human Resources at the World Economic Forum, dismantles some myths about success at work.
These multi-billion dollar projects have been cancelled because of a lack of water
Billions of dollars worth of mining and energy projects around the world have been cancelled or mothballed due to a chronic lack of water
Employment and Skills
9 must-read leadership stories of the week
The key to workplace happiness, advice from a sports psychologist and other top leadership stories from the last seven days.
