The World Economic Forum's Young Global Leaders: Shaping the Future
The World Economic Forum (WEF) has established itself as a prominent platform for global leaders to converge and address pressing issues. A key component of the WEF's mission is the Forum of Young Global Leaders (YGL), also referred to as Young Global Leaders, a non-profit globalist organization. This initiative aims to cultivate a network of exceptional individuals under the age of 40 who demonstrate remarkable achievements and a commitment to shaping the world for the better.
Origins and Purpose
Founded in 1992 by Klaus Schwab, the founder of the World Economic Forum, as "Global Leaders for Tomorrow," the program was later renamed Young Global Leaders in 2003. Schwab's vision was to create a community of "next-generation leaders" from diverse backgrounds, including business, government, civil society, and academia. The aim of the YGL community is to "inform and influence" decisions in those sectors.
The organization is managed from Geneva, Switzerland, under the supervision of the Swiss government. The program was launched with $1 million won from the Dan David Prize.
Selection and Membership
Each year, the World Economic Forum selects a cohort of distinguished individuals from around the world to recognize as Young Global Leaders -- men and women under the age of 40 whose career records reflect impressive professional achievements and a dedication to bettering society. Roughly 100 YGLs are selected every year.
Representing 70 nations, Young Global Leaders are nominated by alumni to serve six-year terms and are subject to veto during the selection process. The selection process includes a screening without the candidate's knowledge and, at least for the class of 2024, "nominated candidates may be invited to submit a brief application" and "shortlisted candidates may be asked to meet with a member of the YGL Community". Therefore, some nominee's may not be aware they were nominated unless they are selected, and only when they are selected.
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The YGL community boasts over 1,400 members and alumni from over 120 countries. These individuals represent a wide array of fields, including leading politicians, royalty, senior government officials, social activists, and those in the business and finance sectors.
Activities and Impact
Each cohort serves for five years, participating in annual meetings and collaborating in considering innovative strategies and ideas to confront various global challenges. Through a comprehensive three-year leadership development programme, the Class of 2025 will take part in executive education at leading universities and be equipped with insights, facts and a network to navigate an increasingly changing world.
As part of the YGL community, members are invited to attend a number of local and international events. They not only convene as a YGL group, but are invited to gather along with other members of the World Economic Forum, broadening the network even further and opening the door to more discussions.
The forum of YGLs provides opportunities for the continued development of members through educational models, conferences and support from the World Economic Forum. Nominated from around the world, the young leaders are assessed according to rigorous selection criteria and have demonstrated their commitment to serving society.
Prominent Alumni
Over the years, numerous individuals who have gone on to achieve significant accomplishments in their respective fields have been associated with the YGL program. These include:
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- Government and Politics: Alexander De Croo (Prime Minister of Belgium), Gabriel Attal (Prime Minister of France), Justin Trudeau (Prime Minister of Canada), Angela Merkel (Former German Chancellor), Emmanuel Macron (French President), Vladimir Putin (Russian leader), Alexander Stubb, Clare O'Neil, Sarah Hanson-Young, Mélanie Joly.
- Business and Technology: Jack Ma, Mark Zuckerberg, Michelle Zatlyn, Stephane Bancel.
- Other Fields: Amal Clooney, Leonardo DiCaprio, Anderson Cooper, Queen Mathilde.
Examples of YGL Alumni and Their Contributions
The many AUC alumni who have been recognized as YGLs exemplify a deep engagement in their communities and share a vision of positively shaping the world.
Several HKS alumni have also been recognized as YGLs, demonstrating a commitment to addressing global challenges. The World Economic Forum has selected four HKS alumni as members of its Young Global Leaders Class of 2021, which comprises 112 leaders from business, civil society, health care, and government. These alumni join 36 HKS degree-program alumni who have been named YGLs since the program’s inception in 2004.
- Biar Ajak (MPA/ID 2009): A civil society leader, political dissident, and scholar from South Sudan who advocates for human rights and free and fair elections.
- Anne-Laure de Chammard (MPP 2009): Group chief strategy and innovation officer for ENGIE Group, a 170,000-employee organization that provides low-carbon energy and services to tackle the climate emergency.
- Gazal Kalra (MPA 2014): Co-founded Rivigo in 2014, a tech-logistics startup in India that aims to make logistics more human, faster, safer, and more efficient.
- Roberto Patiño (MPP 2015): A Venezuelan social entrepreneur and democracy and human rights activist who founded two NGOs, including Mi Convive and Alimenta la Solidaridad.
Other examples of YGL alumni and their contributions include:
- El Kaliouby: The co-founder and CEO of Affectiva, an MIT Media Lab spinoff that aims to humanize technology by building artificial emotional intelligence, or Emotion AI.
- El-Khazindar: Founder of El-Khazindar Business Research and Case Center at AUC and the co-founder and managing director of Citadel Capital, the leading investment company in Africa and the Middle East.
- Abdel-Meguid: Co-founder and managing director of Union Capital, one of the first private equity funds in Egypt to focus on small and medium-size enterprises.
- Al-Mashat: Serves as adviser to the chief economist at the International Monetary Fund.
Bain & Company's YGLs
Bain & Company, a global management consulting firm, has a number of partners who have been recognized as Young Global Leaders. These individuals are recognized for their professional achievements and their contributions to society.
- Lucy d'Arville: A partner with Bain & Company in Sydney who leads Bain Australia's Healthcare practice and is a core member of Bain's APAC Financial Services and Performance Improvement practices.
- Fabrice Franzen: A partner in the South Africa office of Bain & Company and a member of the firm’s Global Financial Services Practice.
- Torsten Lichtenau: A partner with Bain & Company in London who heads the Results Delivery® practice in the UK and is a key member in Bain's Global Organization practice.
- Prashant Sarin: A partner in Bain & Company's Silicon Valley office who is an active contributor to the firm's Telecommunications, Media and Technology, Strategy and Organization practices.
- Seow-Chien Chew: A partner in Bain’s Southeast Asia office who heads the Customer Strategy & Marketing capability in the region.
- Julien Faye: A partner in the Dubai office who heads Bain’s Middle East Financial Services practice.
- Henrik Naujoks: A partner in the Dusseldorf office who is the leader of Bain’s Financial Services practice in EMEA.
- Tamara Olsen: A partner in Bain & Company's Boston office who is a leader in Bain’s Global Healthcare practice.
Criticism and Controversies
The Young Global Leaders program has faced scrutiny and criticism, particularly regarding its influence on governments and its perceived role in promoting a globalist agenda.
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Critics point to Klaus Schwab's statement that the World Economic Forum "penetrates" governments through its YGL program, suggesting that this creates a network of individuals who are predisposed to implementing WEF policies.
Some have also raised concerns about the WEF's financial resources and the potential for these resources to be used to exert undue influence on political and economic decisions. According to its tax returns from 2018 to 2019, the World Economic Forum had a total revenue of $338 million.
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