Civil Society

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs), labour and religious leaders, faith-based organizations and other civil society stakeholders are key members of the World Economic Forum’s multistakeholder platform.

Civil society actors from a wide range of fields come together to collaborate with government and business leaders on finding and advocating solutions to global challenges. They also focus on how to best leverage the transformation brought by the Fourth Industrial Revolution to ensure inclusive growth.

The NGO community at the World Economic Forum consists of non-governmental organizations operating at the global and regional level. Members of this community are active in a wide range of activities, including advocacy, emergency response and disaster relief, service delivery and research and expertise.

NGOs are actively engaged in the World Economic Forum’s activities, including annual and regional meetings, and the 14 System Initiatives. NGOs bring deep experience and insight to multistakeholder dialogue and partnerships formed at the World Economic Forum on topics such as access to internet, digital policy and governance, cybercrime, supply chains, inclusive economic policy, re-skilling, gender issues, the future of work, sustainable energy, access to energy, circular economy, climate change, oceans, deforestation, water and sanitation, financial inclusion, food security and sustainable agriculture, non-communicable diseases, future of epidemics, healthcare, precision medicine, digital trade, trade policy, impact investing, retirement investment systems, security in travel, regulation of autonomous vehicles, clean mobility, sustainable and inclusive mobility, sustainable production, and the fight against human trafficking and corruption, among others.Members of the NGO community are highly involved in numerous Global Future Councils.

Labour organizations are crucial to ensuring that economic policies are more inclusive and that workers’ issues are addressed by decision-makers. This is why labour unions and worker organizations are engaged in dialogues and initiatives on globalization, economic revitalization, environment, employment and social protection, the global financial system, financial inclusion, the future of work and sustainable production.

Labour Leaders are actively engaged in the World Economic Forum’s annual and regional meetings and summits, Global Future Councils and System Initiatives. Deeper interaction and integration have led to substantive involvement in a range of international governance processes and sector-led dialogues.

With 80% of the world’s population adhering to a religion, faith communities represent a powerful driver for transformation and change. The World Economic Forum recognizes the relevance of religion and faith to the global economy, politics, society and individuals, and is keenly aware of the important role played by faith communities around the world in advancing society in an inclusive and sustainable way.

Over the years, the Forum’s multistakeholder platform has increasingly integrated the voice of influential religious leaders from multiple faiths, including faith practitioners, faith-based organizations and experts on religion, to contribute with their unique perspectives to the global dialogue and solutions to the most pressing common challenges. This participation has enriched the shaping of global, industry and regional agendas with dimensions of inclusiveness, sustainable development, human dignity and personal resilience.