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.
It turns out you can learn things while you’re asleep
Scientists have discovered that the human brain can absorb information whilst asleep - and remember it when they wake up.
These were Albert Einstein's 5 favourite books
Take a look at 5 of Albert Einstein's favourite books, from Ernst Mach to Johann von Goethe.
Australian sports sign up to gender pay equality scheme
A number of Australia's major federations have made significant investments in women's sport in recent years, establishing professional leagues in cricket, soccer and Australian Rules foo...
At this Italian bookshop, children swap their recycling for something to read
An Italian bookseller is hoping his initiative to encourage plastic recycling will raise environmental awareness while fostering a love of reading at the same time.
How does Finland’s top-ranking education system work?
Highly respected teachers, free school meals for all children and a learn through play model - just some of ways education in Finland excels.
Millions are still out of school. This is the world's plan to change that
Sustainable Development Goal 4 commits the world to achieving a quality education for all - so how can we make this a reality?
Is social pressure making men leave typically ‘female’ jobs?
The gender revolution has reduced vertical gender inequality over the past 30 years, but many occupational ghettoes persist in low-status, female-dominated fields including teaching.
In Ethiopia, climate change leads herders to retrain as farmers
A initiative which helps retrain Ethiopian herders to farm off the land is proving popular people in the country's Hamar region.
Women overlooked and undervalued in medicine according to research
Medical research is skewed towards the needs of men, with almost three quarters of biomedical research papers failing to consider differences in outcome according to sex
The results of Finland’s basic income experiment are in. Is it working?
The results are in from Finland’s big political experiment, and they offer something for everyone.
10 approachable must-read classics
By no means the definitive list, these forward-thinking works of fiction are often genuinely hilarious and thought-provoking.
Female autonomy generates superstars in long-term development
Empirical evidence suggests a positive relationship between gender equality and long-term economic growth