From Prime Minister Mark Rutte and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to mega stars such as actor Idris Elba. Many big names are in Davos, Switzerland this week for the annual World Economic Forum (WEF). What exactly is the WEF and how did it grow into such a big event? Five questions about the annual meeting at the resort.
What is the WEF?
The WEF is an organization that, in its own words, “brings together people who can make a difference”. This year, some 2,700 guests from 130 countries will be welcomed in the Swiss ski resort.
In addition to Rutte, ministers Sigrid Kaag (Finance) and Wopke Hoekstra (Foreign Affairs) also go for the Netherlands. Even Queen Máxima goes to the WEF to lobby.
Wat are they doing?
The heads of government and business leaders discuss global issues. They do this in the form of discussions and lectures, but also through one-on-one conversations. Rutte, for example, will speak at a meeting about economic growth this week.
According to Bob de Wit, professor of strategic studies at Nyenrode Business University, the WEF was set up to tackle these cross-border problems. Problems that countries cannot solve on their own. Think of things like climate change, health and the plastic soup in the ocean.
“At the world level, there is a need for coordination. By bringing all those parties together, the WEF provides this. They see themselves as the pivot, as a network organization that coordinates above the countries,” says De Wit.
What makes the WEF useful?
Davos’ strength lies in bringing big names together. It brings together government leaders, business people and other influential people on a small piece of earth. Those people can chat, shake hands and by exchanging ideas contribute to solving cross-border problems. At least, that’s the idea.
“Within your own government you can be tough about major policy documents, while you have nothing to say about them because the problems are occurring at a global level. The WEF responds to this and takes on that directing role because there is no world democracy,” says Professor De Wit. .
The informal nature of the meeting in Davos is also often a point of criticism. No major decisions are taken and concrete results are difficult to see, De Wit also sees. He compares the meeting to an enterprise. “Entrepreneurs also have no need to share everything, they don’t do that within their own company, where many decisions and discussions remain within the supervisory board.”
Why is there so much criticism?
The WEF presents itself as an organization that contributes to solving global problems and has themes such as climate change high on its list of priorities. On the other hand, that global elite flies en masse to Davos: last year 1,040 private jets flew to the resort for the WEF.
Not exactly climate-friendly and that leads to some cynicism. Critics from the left see the Davos week as nothing more than a talking club for the richest rich.
Why are there so many conspiracy theories about the WEF?
The richest, most powerful parties in the world come together without accountability. They make choices and set things in motion. The event is also not accessible to people who do not have an invitation. Because it is not clear what is happening behind those closed doors, a shadowy atmosphere is created around the event.
That wrings among outsiders and encourages conspiracy theories. “This creates the impression that WEF participants are mainly there to serve the interests of large companies and NGOs. They are not accountable to citizens and SMEs. As a result, they have everything that is said about the WEF to themselves If you take on that coordinating role but do not make the public accountable, then you are calling this on yourself. They have created this themselves,” says De Wit.
