Present: Leadership – Changing Our World

Dr. Klaus Schwab is honored for his role in developing the World Economic Forum (WEF) into a major international organization.

In particular, Schwab recruited the WEF and numerous corporate leaders to launch projects promoting social responsibility and international peace and stability.

The World Economic Forum, based in Geneva, Switzerland, is an independent organization committed to “improving the state of the world.” Funded by contributions made by hundreds of the world’s leading corporations, the Forum acts in the spirit of entrepreneurship for the global public interest to foster economic growth and social progress. Essentially, the Forum aims to serve its members and society by creating partnerships between businessmen, politicians, intellectuals and other leaders of society to “define, discuss and advance key issues on the global agenda.”

Schwab also co-founded, with his wife Hilde, the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship. The foundation supports social innovation around the world.

Schwab has been active in editorial, academic, and public service organizations. He has also received numerous international and national honors for initiatives undertaken in the spirit of entrepreneurship for global public interests and for peace and reconciliation efforts in several regions.

Schwab is the author of several books and numerous other publications, such as the yearly Global Competitiveness Report (since 1979).

Schwab studied at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology and the Universities of Fribourg and Harvard. He holds doctorate degrees in Mechanical Engineering and in Economics (summa cum laude). He was Professor of Business Policy at the University of Geneva between 1972 and 2003 and has an honorary professorship and six honorary doctorates (including from the London School of Economics).

The 2004 Dan David Prize honors Dr. Schwab in the field of leadership for his significant contribution in fostering international dialogue and activism to resolve some of the world’s greatest issues.