Economic Growth and Social Inclusion
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
Economic Growth and Social Inclusion
How can we make growth work for all?
Do you have an example of an initiative that has successfully fostered both economic growth and social inclusion?
China
Why China could lead the next phase of globalization
With the US poised to take a step back from international affairs, will China take up the baton for globalization?
Agriculture, Food and Beverage
We need a food system that works for everyone, and our planet. This is how we can do it
It is not just a case of producing more food, but producing healthy food, and ensuring it reaches the people who need it most, says Corinna Hawkes.
Global Governance
What speedos and polar bears teach us about the lost art of negotiating
We spoke with United Nations Patron of the Oceans Lewis Pugh to find out how he helped push through an agreement to create the Ross Sea Marine Protected Area.
Economic Growth and Social Inclusion
Why middle America voted for Trump, and other must-read economics stories of the week
A list of some of the week’s most interesting stories on economic growth and social inclusion
Media, Entertainment and Information
Humans on Mars. We all own nothing. Is this what our world will look like in 2030?
A round-up of some of the best stories from the past seven days, including highlights from our meeting of Global Future Councils in Dubai.
Global Governance
Stop blaming the rise of populism on economic angst
Too many people are blaming the rise in populism on globalization, elite economics and inequality. We need to dig a little deeper to really understand these forces.
Employment and Skills
Automation is not the end of the world. Here’s why
When we look at the future of work with circular, collaborative and connective lenses, it stops looking like the automation apocalypse.
Future of Government
Voters are fed up with politicians. But that doesn’t mean they’ve given up on democracy
Despite grievances about how government is currently working, most people believe ordinary citizens still have influence, says Richard Wike of the Pew Research Center.
Regional Agenda
Decarbonizing Energy
What an oil-rich region can teach the world about renewable energy
For decades synonymous with oil and gas, the MENA region is transforming itself into a haven for inexpensive, clean energy.
Economic Growth and Social Inclusion
Student loans are crippling young Americans and the economy. The next US president must act
America's student loan debt is double the GDP of Switzerland. The next US president must make this an economic priority, writes Jake Bright.
Leadership
5 things US millennials will look for in their next president
What are America's young people looking for in their next national leader?
Europe
Brexit was a leap of faith. Now where’s our parachute to soften the landing?
Brexit was never going to be a zero-cost process, but the British government’s lack of a realistic economic plan threatens to make it a lot worse, writes Alberto Gallo.
Decarbonizing Energy
We're producing more renewable energy than ever before. How can we match demand to supply?
While the growth of renewables is helping to reduce carbon emissions and tackle climate change, balancing the availability of these resources with varying levels of electricity demand can...
Future of Education, Gender and Work
America is falling behind other countries in gender equality. The next president must fix that
No matter who is in charge of the US after 8 November, they will need to make gender parity a key focus of their administration.
Environment
Sweden is paying people to fix their belongings instead of throwing them away
To combat its ‘throwaway consumer culture’, Sweden has announced tax breaks on repairs to clothes, bicycles, fridges and washing machines. Will it help to reduce waste?
China
China declared war on pollution. Is it winning?
Progress has been made, but there is still much to do if China is to win the war on pollution and deliver greener, smarter economic growth.
Entrepreneurship
Why is America not improving its business regulation?
The United States is the only country with significant state capacity that has not improved its business regulations over the past dozen years, as seen in the World Bank’s Doing Business ...
Industry Agenda
Banking and Capital Markets
There is more to blockchain than moving money. It has the potential to transform our lives - here's how
Blockchain is well-known as a method of exchanging assets, but in future it could also be used for - among other things - welfare distribution, secure voting, land-title transfers, even v...
Decarbonizing Energy
Where will our energy come from in 2030, and how green will it be?
How can the energy industry adapt to meet the needs of a growing population while also supporting low-carbon growth?
Emerging Technologies
2 hours to 30 minutes. This is what our technology could do to your commute
Elon Musk has joked that experts call the Hyperloop either obvious - or impossible. We believe it is possible, but we face some difficult challenges unlike those faced by most tech startups.
Agriculture, Food and Beverage
We must eat less meat. Could these three alternatives help save our planet?
Without reducing livestock production and consumption, the ambitions of the Paris climate agreement will be impossible, writes Jeremy Coller.
Institutional Investors, Sovereign Funds
3 ways for institutional investors to fight corruption
Responsible investing means not only green investing; it means investing in ways that do not reward fraud, bribery and other underhand practices.
Cities and Urbanization
Asia’s cities are increasingly competitive. Now it’s time to focus on liveability
In a new era of global competition, cities will compete with each other for talent and capital. This battle will be won or lost on the basis of liveability.
Brain Research
Scientists want to mimic the human brain. And they’ve made a breakthrough
Forget supercomputers: one of the most impressive machines in the world is right there in your head. That's why scientists have been working to mimic it.
Oil and Gas
We used to worry about ‘peak oil’. Then the technological revolution happened
Thanks to technological advances, we no longer need to worry about running out of oil, says Chevron's CEO and chairman.
Environment
Wildlife crime: a $23 billion trade that’s destroying our planet
With a value of between $5 billion and $20 billion each year, illegal wildlife trafficking is the fourth most lucrative global crime.
Agenda in Focus: Fighting back against climate change
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Climate Change
Indigenous peoples are the real climate experts. So why aren't we listening to them?
Circular Economy
We can recycle everything we use, including cigarette butts and toothbrushes. So why don’t we?
Climate Change