Global business actors and world leaders gather at the World Economic Forum in Davos
Image: ©PTI
From the seventeenth to the twentieth of January, the town of Davos in the Swiss Alps hosted the 2017 World Economic Forum. This edition of the annual conference focused on the theme “Responsive and Responsible Leadership“ in the context of the rising populism which is expected to have a significant impact on globalisation. There were discussions on four key points: “strengthening global collaboration, revitalising economic growth, reforming capitalism and preparing for the Fourth Industrial Revolution – a huge leap powered by the digital age, which is transforming the way we live and work.“
This year, 3,000 participants attended the forum, more than ever before. The list included governmental representatives from over 700 states, CEOs and heads of NGOs. Among the state leaders present, Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed his support of globalisation as the foundation of global trade and warned against the possible emergence of trade wars, while British Prime Minister Theresa May emphasized the negative way in which some people see a growing globalisation. A number of scientists and cultural leaders also took part in the meetings, making this the most diverse edition of the World Economic Forum yet, according to the organisers.
The Davos World Economic Forum was founded in 1971 and has been addressing global economic issues and facilitating dialogue and cooperation between business actors worldwide ever since.
English – German glossary
to gather = sich versammeln
to host = veranstalten
annual = jährlich
to focus on sth = den Schwerpunkt auf etw legen
responsive = ansprechbar
responsible = verantwortungsbewusst
leadership = Führung, Leitung
in the context of = im Rahmen
rising = steigend
to expect = erwarten
significant = erheblich
to have an impact on sth = sich auf etw auswirken
key points = Schwerpunkte
to strengthen = verstärken
collaboration = Zusammenarbeit
to revitalise = wiederbeleben
economic growth = Wirschaftswachstum
leap = Sprung
powered by sth = von etw angetrieben
age = (hier) Zeitalter
more than ever before = mehr als je zuvor
governmental = staatlich
representatives = Vertreter
CEO (Chief Executive Officer) = Geschäftsführer
NGO (Non-Government Organisation) = Nichtregierungsorganisation
diverse = vielfältig
foundation = Grundlage
global trade = Welthandel
to warn against sth = vor etw warnen
emergence = Entstehung
to address = behandeln
issues = Themen
to facilitate = fördern, ermöglichen
ever since = seitdem