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.
What does real leadership look like in the #MeToo era?
We have much to learn from recent case studies in leadership malfunction. Such as how to fine-tune our hiring criteria to ensure our leaders are better, nicer and more diverse.
Four ways to boost the number of women entrepreneurs
When we invest in women, their communities, states and countries prosper, which generates a multiplier effect and sets a positive example for the next generation of girls.
How do we solve LGBTQ discrimination? One word: visibility
Visibility is key to ending LGBTQ discrimination, as Harvey Milk rightly said: 'Gay people, we will not win our rights by staying quietly in our closets.'
What the global 'play gap' means for our children's futures
Playtime may be the 'rocket fuel' of child development, but it's fast becoming the privilege of the few. The Real Play Coalition aims to close this growing disparity.
Why AI is failing the next generation of women
Algorithms are learning historical and societal biases against women and further propagating them, writes Ann Cairns. Here's how we can make AI work for everyone.
This is what matters in education, according to the world’s best teacher
Andria Zafirakou, winner of the $1m Global Teacher Prize, teaches some of the UK’s most deprived children. Here she explains why art in education is the key to unlocking these children’s ...
Diverse boards are better. So how do you build one?
Companies that act quickly will set the gold standard among their peers
This Nobel Prize winner reveals the most important thing scientists need to make discoveries
Nobel Prize Winner for physics Donna Strickland talks through the process of discovery.
Talent is worldwide. Opportunity is not. How can we redistribute it?
Education gaps in the developing world need to be filled if economic mobility is to be kickstarted again.
3 benefits of public-private mega-projects that most people ignore
A nearly complete, multi-billion dollar project under construction outside Cairo - demonstrates the hidden benefits of public-private partnerships.
5 ways students can graduate fully qualified for the Fourth Industrial Revolution
Education must become less rigid and link up more with employers if the future generation of students – and the world economy – are to benefit.
Here's why having more women in government is good for your health
Studies show that when there are more women in government and involved in a country's decision-making process, the healthier its population. Here's why.