The World Economic Forum (WEF) has concluded its first day at Davos 2023—focusing on the efforts of artists who have changed the world as well as efforts to address climate change.
Key Details
- Day 1 of Davos closed Monday evening with several brief opening sessions, an open forum, and an awards ceremony. The event will fully open Tuesday.
- The opening night’s event the Crystal Awards Ceremony 2023 honored four artists whose work helps inspire optimism about the future and connect people to each other—Renée Fleming, Idris Elba, Maya Lin, and Sabrina Dhowre Elba.
- They were chosen because of their commitment and leadership in helping the world address food security, climate change, and environmental conservation.
- The first session was followed by an ocean environmental panel called I Sea You and a panel discussion In Harmony With Nature about how to make lifestyles more climate-friendly.
Why It’s Important
As we previously reported, the discussions that come out of this week’s World Economic Forum event will set the tone of world politics for 2023, pushing how corporations and world leaders address significant issues like climate change. Half of the 10 most pressing issues in the WEF’s Global Risks Report are climate-related.
“According to WEF’s 2023 timetable, more than a third of the sessions are related to the topic of climate change. The word ‘climate’ was mentioned 35 times in the agenda, more than ‘energy’ at 27 times, ‘geopolitic’ at 18 times, ‘war’ seven times, ‘inflation’ six times, and recession’ four times,” says Barron’s.
Actor Idris Elba thanked the WEF for the privilege to be honored and encouraged social equity, protecting the environment, and building up young people to protect future generations—encouraging investment in people, nature, and partnership.
“We understand the power and change that can come from this room … We are involved in some truly great organizations through the Elba foundation which is helping us crystalize our voice and those of the voiceless, changing the way we address food security, protecting nature, and preventing climate change through conservation,” he says
PARTISAN REACTIONS
The WEF has faced bipartisan criticism. Progressives criticize the week-long event for its inaction, saying that the rich elite who gather don’t act upon any of the lessons or problems discussed.
“But an entirely different narrative played out on the internet, where social-media users claimed leaders wanted to force the population to eat insects instead of meat in the name of saving the environment,” AP reports.
Conservatives tend to view the Forum’s mission more derisively, dismissing it as a hive of dangerous conspirators who want to establish a post-national global order, restrict human freedoms, and reduce the quality of life for average people. The Davos 2020’s theme, “The Great Reset,” continues to echo in online forums and discussions as a call for socialist reform.
Notable Quote
“We couldn’t meet at a more challenging time. We are confronted with so many crises simultaneously. What does it mean to master the future? We are all stakeholders in a global society. This is the first step to meeting all of the challenges,” says Chair Klause Schwab.