In 2020, the global workforce lost an equivalent of 255 million full-time jobs, an estimated $3.7 trillion in wages and 4.4% of global GDP, a staggering toll on lives and livelihoods. While vaccine rollout has begun and the growth outlook is predicted to improve, an even socio-economic recovery is far from certain.
The choices made by policymakers, business leaders, workers and learners today will shape societies for years to come. At this critical crossroads, leaders must consciously, proactively and urgently lay the foundations of a new social contract, rebuilding our economies so they provide opportunity for all.
In this context, the Forum remains committed to working with the public- and private sectors to provide better skills, jobs and education to 1 billion people by 2030 through initiatives to close the skills gap and prepare for the ongoing technological transformation of the future of work.
UK to put mothers' names on marriage certificates, in a major win for women’s rights
Previously, marriage certificates in England and Wales only included space for fathers' names
Women's work faces the greatest risk of automation, says new research
More than 70% of the jobs deemed most vulnerable to the robot revolution are held by women, according to a British survey.
How the young in developing countries are excluded from work
Young people face a disproportionate challenge in labour markets across the world. This is how the gap can be addressed.
The media must do more to cover the positive impact made by women
Although depressing, the unbalanced portrayal of women in the media is not surprising given the industry's male-dominated nature. Some news outlets have acknowledged their past failings, ...
How MENA’s universities can transform the region into the world’s next tech hub
The region's institutions - agile, dynamic and unburdened by dated conventions - are at the forefront of the research that drives the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
The recipe for creativity involves a lot of ideas, and a short break
New evidence suggesting creativity is a matter of process could become increasingly important as the Fourth Industrial Revolution boosts demand for skills that are unique to humans.
Peter Tabichi - world’s best teacher is changing lives in Africa
Peter Tabichi, the best teacher in the world - winner of the 2019 Global Teacher prize, has overcome poverty, food shortages and violence to teach his pupils they can achieve anything the...
Your future coworkers could be a swarm of robots
As technology becomes cheaper, more advanced and more accessible, the possibility of large numbers of autonomous robots entering the workforce is increasing.
This is the massive impact women’s liberation had on economic growth
Women kept more of their assets as cash in US states that granted these rights. This reduced interest rates and accelerated industrialisation.
Data bias: the dangers of being female in a world designed for men
From phones that are too big for women's hands to protective clothing that fails to protect - accepting men as the 'default humans' has dangerous consequences for women.
1 billion people are going to polls in Asia. Here are the main issues at stake
From India to Indonesia, voters in Asia this year are set to put rights for women, LGBT+ equality and land issues top of the agenda
This app uses augmented reality to rewrite ‘herstory’
Women have been left out of history books. To set the record straight, a new app uses augmented reality to “add” the missing women into school textbooks in California.