The Forum of Young Global Leaders is a unique, multistakeholder community of more than 900 exceptional young leaders. Bold, brave, action-oriented and entrepreneurial, these individuals commit both their time and talent to make the world a better place.
The community is made up of leaders from all walks of life, from every region of the world and every stakeholder group in society. Nominated under 40, these young leaders are proposed through a qualified nomination process and assessed according to rigorous selection criteria that creates a diverse and truly representative body, while accepting only the very best leaders who have already demonstrated their commitment to serving society at large.
Set up as an independent, not-for-profit founda tion under the Swiss government, the Forum of Young Global Leaders is an integral part of the World Economic Forum and part of the larger New Champions community.Throughout their six year tenure, YGLs are fully involved in the Forum’s meetings, initiatives and research and interact with the Forum’s wider multistakeholder community. YGLs have a powerful role in determining the community’s activities. They are governed by a foundation board of 14 respected leaders and are managed by a dynamic team of young professionals based in Geneva and China.
The community gives its members a peer network that challenges them to be better leaders in both their personal and professional lives. It is a support system that questions, and constantly pushes its members to not only do more, but to be more too.
The Forum of Young Global Leaders has three objectives:
Collaboration: to build a diverse global community of peers who engage in networks and processes that look for forward-looking and innovative solutions to the problems faced by humankind
Learning: to transform the next generation of leaders through personal experiences that build knowledge and engender better understanding of global, regional and industry agendas
Action: to positively impact global challenges by engaging YGLs in initiatives and workstreams related to specific challenges they have identified
To read more about the Forum of Young Global Leaders, please take a look at the YGL Brochure, which includes several stories highlighting the collaborative and transformational nature of the YGL community.
After their tenure of six years, YGLs can join the YGL Alumni Community. From 1993 to 2003, before the creation of the Forum and the Young Global Leaders, new generation of leaders who demonstrated a commitment to addressing global issues were part of the Global Leaders of Tomorrow community.
Nominate a Young Global Leader
Selection Process
The Forum of Young Global Leaders has established a comprehensive selection process for identifying and selecting the most exceptional leaders under the age of 40. Every year, thousands of candidates from around the world are proposed and assessed according to rigorous selection criteria. Only the very best candidates are selected and all efforts are extended to create a truly representative body. Reflecting the diversity of stakeholders, the Young Global Leaders include leaders from politics, business, civil society, academia, and arts and culture across seven geographic regions. Together, they form a unique community that can dramatically affect the lives of future generations and craft innovative responses to address global and regional challenges.
Selection Criteria:
To be eligible for the nomination and selection process of the Class of 2016, the candidate must have been born on or after 1 January 1977.
He/she has a recognized record of extraordinary achievement and a proven track record of substantial leadership experience. Typically, this means 5-15 years of outstanding professional work experience and a clear indication of playing a substantial leadership role for the rest of his or her career.
He/she has demonstrated a commitment to serve society at large through exceptional contributions, and have a global perspective.
He/she must have an impeccable record in the public eye and good standing in his/her community, as well as show great self-awareness and a desire for learning.
Candidates from the business sector must be responsible for the full operation of a qualifying corporation or division and must hold one of the following titles: President, Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, Managing Director, Managing Partner or Publisher, or equivalent of any of the above. If the company is a Member or Partner of the World Economic Forum, the candidate requires the approval of the CEO or Chairman of the Board of the respective company.
Companies, organizations and entities can only nominate one candidate from the qualifying company every two years.
Kindly note that self-nominations are not accepted.
**The deadline to submit nominations for the class of 2016 is May 31 2015**
Please click here, to submit a nomination for the YGL Community.
Timeline for Nominations & Selection
31 May: Close of Nomination Period
Summer: The World Economic Forum shortlists candidates for further review
Fall: The shortlisted candidates are reviewed by Heidrick & Struggles, recognised as one of the world's leading executive search and leadership consulting firms
Winter: Selection Committee reviews the top candidates & selects 100 to 250 candidates to be honoured as Young Global Leaders
At the outset of subsequent year: The New Class of YGLs are informed of their selection as Young Global Leaders*
March of subsequent year: Press Announcement of the New Class of YGLs
*Please note that because of the large number of nominations received, the World Economic Forum only contacts successful candidates regarding their selection to the Forum of Young Global Leaders.
