Davos Group
The Davos group is linked with the world economic forum which is a non profit foundation that is located in Geneva with the aim of improving the state of the world by working with international businesses, political and academic leaders from close to 100 countries. The forum holds a anual meeting each year in Davos where 2500 people attend with the majority being businesses. The five day metting in Davos foussed on global concerns like poverty, the environment and international conflicts with the aim of advising to reduce the problems.
MembersThere are two key groups who play a part in the World Economic Forum who last met in Davos – there are strategic partners comprising of 100 leading global companies, for example Coca-Cola and Toshiba as well as industry partner groups including BlackBerry, BP and FedEx. The Forum is funded by 1,000 member companies. In 2011, 1,250 public figures including Heads of State, ambassadors, cabinet ministers attended the annual meeting of the forum. These figures include Kofi Annan, Angela Merkel and Morgan Tsvangiriai. Regular Davos attendees include Al Gore, Tony Blair and Bill Gates.
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Direct or indirect involvement or decision makingAt annual meetings, discussions are had on key issues of a global scale and concern. These could range from international conflicts, poverty to environmental problems. Regional meetings take place every year enabling close contact between business leaders, NGOs and local gov. leaders. Research reports are a key part of the forum and these influence decisions and do have an impact on the World. The foundation is thought of as a thinktank. Different strategic terms focus on different areas, creating reports looking at global risks and scenarios. One team is called the Competitiveness Team who produce a range of annual economic reports which are useful on a global scale. Initiatives are also created – one example is a global health initiative launched by Kofi Annan in 2002. This will impact health worldwide particularly tackling diseases etc like HIV and AIDS. Many others have been established to do with education, water, corruption and the environment. These all impact world leaders and groups and help to make change happen. They are probably indirectly getting involved in these big issues, and do have some influence over decisions.
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Impact
The impact the world economic forum ahs had has been down to the initiatives like the health initiative by Kofi Annan which focuses on stopping diseases like HIV and Malaria by putting in health programs and educating people more about satey. Another is the education initiative which has helped get moer qualified teachers and with help from it companies more computers for students with plans forRwanda which has improved peoples quality iof life and job aspect and the water initiative which is looking at getting more clean water available for people and has stake holders like Alcan inc,USAID and UNDP. Howerver some activists came to Davos with the view that the world economic forum increased capitalism and globalization which has increased global poverty and take away basic things like water.