The article discusses the World Economic Forum (WEF), an annual gathering of global leaders and business executives, which takes place in Davos, Switzerland. The WEF was founded by Klaus Schwab in 1971 and is now run by Børge Brende. This year's gathering will be the first without Schwab's looming presence, as he stepped down from the organization's board last year amid allegations of unauthoritative spending.
The article highlights the contradictions between the WEF's stated purpose and its current practices. The WEF was originally founded to promote a "rules-based global order" where business works with governments to achieve their profits while meeting the needs of their people. However, many argue that the organization has become unaccountable and lacks legitimacy.
The article also discusses the changing nature of Davos, from being a platform for shaping diplomatic efforts in the late 1990s and early 2000s to becoming increasingly dominated by business leaders. The number of private jet flights associated with Davos has tripled between the 2023 and 2025 meetings, highlighting the climate impact of the event.
The article features interviews with several individuals who have been involved with the WEF over the years, including Jamie Drummond, a former Young Global Leader who co-founded the One charity with Bono. He argues that while Davos is on the decline, it's not dead yet and that he will still be there this year to influence some of the world's most powerful people.
Overall, the article suggests that the WEF faces significant challenges in its future, including a lack of legitimacy and accountability, and that its purpose and practices are no longer aligned with its founding mission.
The article highlights the contradictions between the WEF's stated purpose and its current practices. The WEF was originally founded to promote a "rules-based global order" where business works with governments to achieve their profits while meeting the needs of their people. However, many argue that the organization has become unaccountable and lacks legitimacy.
The article also discusses the changing nature of Davos, from being a platform for shaping diplomatic efforts in the late 1990s and early 2000s to becoming increasingly dominated by business leaders. The number of private jet flights associated with Davos has tripled between the 2023 and 2025 meetings, highlighting the climate impact of the event.
The article features interviews with several individuals who have been involved with the WEF over the years, including Jamie Drummond, a former Young Global Leader who co-founded the One charity with Bono. He argues that while Davos is on the decline, it's not dead yet and that he will still be there this year to influence some of the world's most powerful people.
Overall, the article suggests that the WEF faces significant challenges in its future, including a lack of legitimacy and accountability, and that its purpose and practices are no longer aligned with its founding mission.
I'm kinda surprised about Schwab stepping down, to be honest 
. It's like, Davos was meant to be this hub for big leaders to come together and make a difference, but now it just feels like an excuse for business folks to network and fly around on private jets 
. I mean, don't get me wrong, I think the WEF should be about more than just profiting people, it's supposed to be about making a real impact 
.
It's all good and well having A-list speakers, but at the end of the day, is anyone really getting anything done 
?
. Maybe this year will be the one where Davos actually starts to make some real progress 
.
. I'm curious to see how Jamie Drummond is going to spin this one, though... will he be able to make Davos look cool again or is it just a case of same old, same old? 
And it's not like they're doing any good for the environment or climate change. It just seems like more proof that the WEF is out of touch with reality 
... I mean, if they really want to make the world a better place, maybe they should cut back on the luxury travel and focus on actual solutions instead of just talking about it 
...
like what happened to the whole global order thingy? i went to dwos a few yrs back and it was so cool seein all these powerful peeps from diff countries comin together tryna make a change 
and trippin over private jets 
cant say im surprised tho, havent the elites always been about keepin it rich & famous 
anyway gotta give credit to jamie drummond 4 speakin truth to power 
it feels like they're just more interested in lining their own pockets. Jamie Drummond's attitude is kinda annoying though - "it's not dead yet"?! Davos has been declining for years, and I'm not sure anyone cares about the WEF anymore... 
maybe it's time for a change?
[A screenshot of Grumpy Cat with a speech bubble saying "I had fun once, it was awful"]
. I think he was part of what made Davos slightly more interesting back in the day. Now it just seems like a whole lotta rich people getting together and pretending to care about global issues 
. It's like he's just trying to stay relevant, you know? Anyway, I do hope whoever takes over next can actually make a difference and not just be some corporate shill 
What happened to the old days when we could actually fly coach and still have enough change for a drink at the bar? 
. Anyway, I hope they can get their act together and make Davos relevant again. Until then, I'll just stick to my couch and the TV 
.
. It's wild how the WEF has shifted from promoting people over profits to being more about big business getting away with stuff. I mean, 300 private jet flights in one weekend? 
. But seriously, can't they do better than just repping a charity or two? It feels like a PR stunt 
.