Who are the Global Shapers?

From Santiago to Shanghai and Los Angeles to London, the Global Shapers Community is the latest addition to the World Economic Forum. 

Shapers are exceptional in their potential, their achievements and their drive to make a positive contribution to their communities. Aged under 30 and working in diverse fields, the Shapers are a network of hubs founded and led by the next generation.

“At our age, we still think everything is possible and nothing is impossible. Collectively, we can do something about it,” says Global Shaper Grace Aneiza Ali, the founder and editorial director for ofnotemagazine.org, an online magazine for artists who champion social issues.

All shapers are nominated before their 30^th birthday and while they are united in their commitment to making a difference, the Shapers are a diverse group. With more than 100 active hubs in major cities worldwide, the Shapers are varied geographically, demographically, and professionally. “It’s an amazing group of people,” says Global Shaper Adam Braun, founder of Pencils for Promise, an educational organization that has built more than 40 schools across Laos, Nicaragua and Guatemala. “When you mesh all of that together, the skills set and the energy of the group is unlike anything that I have seen before.”

The World Economic Forum is particularly excited by the possibilities this community presents and the caliber of individuals involved. With more than 50% of the world’s population under the age of 27, the voice of youth is increasingly more relevant to the Forum’s commitment to improving the state of the world. According to Founder and Executive Chairman Klaus Schwab; “What we are doing here is not something which is new or innovative. What we are doing here is something compulsory.”

Local hubs are meeting with governmental, business, and cultural leaders, as well as participating in impact-driven initiatives to improve their communities. Global Shapers have already shared their voice at the recent Annual Meeting of New Champions in Dalian and Shapers from Shanghai will attend the upcoming Special Meeting on Economic Growth and Job Creation in the Arab World, the India Economic Summit, and our Annual Meeting at Davos.

The Forum hopes to catalyze and support fresh ideas and solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges through in-person meetings and virtual interactions using the online Shapers platform. We also aim to inspire Shapers and other communities through cross-mentoring. We are thrilled to provide this unique group with the opportunity to make a local impact in the greater global context and look forward to seeing the Global Shapers Community continue to evolve and grow.

 For more information on the Global Shapers Community please visit our website.