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.
How play can help Africa’s kids develop skills for the future
From creativity to collaboration, the skills that students learn through play can help them thrive in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
5 key values of strong Māori leadership
Māori leaders often head up complex organisations - and their culture of leadership is key in how they handle their business. Here are five things we can learn from the New Zealand native...
Millions of young people need better job skills. Here's how businesses can help
From mentoring to community work, your company has the power to close the skills gap and give young people the training they need.
From stamping out stereotypes to finding your 'spark', here's how to close the global gender gap
With another 202 years before women achieve pay parity at work, it's time for a fresh and re-energized approach to the gender gap.
How the gender commuting gap could be harming women's careers
Research from the UK suggests the gender commuting gap is a reality that may impact women’s wages and work opportunities. As well as travelling longer distances to work, men are also more...
Three ways to improve your corporate culture in the #MeToo era
While not every organization has issues of sexual harassment, it would be hard for any of us to find a colleague who could say they have never felt vulnerable in a moment, writes Barri Ra...
These charts show the extreme concentration of global wealth
The top 1% continue to control a large amount of wealth, but there is good news at the other end of the spectrum, as the percentage of people in the lowest wealth band has been shrinking ...
Companies have no excuse for 'diversity fatigue'
While many corporations complain of diversity fatigue, there are certain gaps that need to be filled instead of giving up on diversity efforts.
Some companies produce a disproportionate number of future CEOs. Here's how
New research has identified the key strategies used by companies such as IBM and General Electric to produce prolific numbers of future CEOs.
This one small change could transform education for millions
Lowering the cost of sending money back home and educating migrants about their financial options are crucial steps in improving schooling in the developing world.
Do kids need more hands-on experience with money?
To prepare your children for financial success in life, it's important to give them experience in handling money from an early age, says a new study.
An Indian temple’s ban on 'menstruating' women is finally breached
Two women have made history in India as they entered a temple previously off limits to women of menstruating age.