Introducing the Young Global Leader Class of 2011

Today the World Economic Forum announced the 2011 Class of Young Global Leaders and we are excited to introduce them to you! 

The YGL class of 2011 is composed of 190 Young Global Leaders from 65 countries and all stakeholders of society (business, civil society, social entrepreneurs, politics and government, arts and culture, and opinion and media). The new class represents all regions: East Asia (50), South Asia (18), Europe (42), Middle East and North Africa (13), sub-Saharan Africa (14), North America (36) and Latin America (17). This year’s selection has more gender parity than ever, with 44% women.

Interested in learning more about this years class? Check out their responses to the following questions:
1) What are the characteristics of the next generation of leaders?
2) What, according to you, are the challenges and opportunities of this generation?
3) What do you hope to give and get from the YGL community?

The Young Global Leaders 2011 reflect different kinds of leadership in different parts of the world and society. They include: Max Levchin, Vice-President of Engineering, Google (from Ukraine); Alexandra Cousteau, Founder and President, Blue Legacy International (from France); Funmi Iyanda, Blogger, Journalist and Columnist (from Nigeria); Ricardo Terán, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Agora Partnerships (from Nicaragua); Kala Mulqueeny, Senior Counsel, Asian Development Bank (from Australia/Philippines); Naoko Yamazaki, Astronaut, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (from Japan); Naif Al Mutawa, Creator, THE 99 Comics (from Kuwait); Hala Gorani, Anchor, CNN International (from the United States); Zhou Xun, Actress (from People’s Republic of China); Naheed Nenshi, Mayor of Calgary (from Canada); and Chetan Maini, Deputy Chairman and Chief Technology Officer, Reva Electric Car Company (from India).

Out of the thousands of candidates nominated each year, between 100 and 200 extraordinary individuals are honoured each year with the title “Young Global Leader” at which time they are invited to become Active Members and sign the YGL Charter of rights and responsibilities.

Set up as an independent not-for-profit foundation, under the supervision of the Swiss Government, the Forum of Young Global Leaders works in close cooperation with the World Economic Forum to integrate young leaders into deep interaction with other stakeholders of global society.