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World Economic Forum Announces Young Global Leaders for 2012

Mar 6, 2012

CBC broadcaster George Stroumboulopoulos one of three Canadians named Young Global Leader

Today, the World Economic Forum announced its Young Global Leaders (YGLs) for 2012. CBC broadcaster George Stroumboulopoulos is one of the 192 Young Global Leaders named for 2012, along with fellow Canadians Kaliya "Identity Woman" Hamlin, Executive Director, Personal Data Ecosystem Consortium, and Tim Wu, Senior Advisor, Federal Trade Commission. The honour, bestowed each year by the Forum, recognizes up to 200 outstanding young leaders from around the world for their professional accomplishments and commitment to society. Young Global Leaders engage in initiatives that address specific challenges of public interest with the objective of shaping a better future.

Drawn from a pool of several thousand candidates, the 2012 YGLs were chosen by a selection committee, chaired by H.M. Queen Rania Al Abdullah of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan; the candidates are comprised of respected international leaders from business, government, non-profit organizations, media and the arts.

"I would like to extend heartfelt congratulations to George on being selected as a Young Global Leader," said Kirstine Stewart, executive vice-president of English Services for CBC. "George continues to inspire, educate and entertain Canadians on a daily basis, and we're thrilled that he's been recognized by the World Economic Forum with this global honour."

For 2012, the Forum has selected 192 YGLs from 59 countries and all sectors of society including: business, civil society, social entrepreneurs, politics and government, arts and culture, and opinion and media. The new class originates from East Asia (38), South Asia (19), Europe (46), Middle East and North Africa (15), sub-Saharan Africa (18), North America (34), Latin America (19) and Canada (3).

The 2012 YGLs reflect different types of leadership in different parts of the world and society. Those from North America include, among others: John Legend, Founder, The Show Me Campaign, USA; Neil Blumenthal, Co-Founder and Co-Chief Executive Officer, Warby Parker, USA; Candy Chang, Artist and Co-Founder, Civic Center, USA; Cesar Conde, President, Univision Networks, USA; Scott Harrison, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, charity: water, USA; Valerie Keller, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Veritas, USA; Binta Niambi Brown, Partner, Kirkland & Ellis, USA; Pardis Sabeti, Assistant Professor and Harvard FAS Center for Systems Biology, USA.

The 2012 honourees will become part of the broader Forum of Young Global Leaders community that currently comprises 713 outstanding individuals. The YGLs convene at an Annual Summit, which will be held this year from April 14-18 in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. YGLs are actively engaged in the community, are integrated into events organized by the World Economic Forum, and organize events of their own, as well as launch and lead their own innovative initiatives and task forces. These activities enable YGLs to learn from and with each other; build knowledge and engender a better understanding of global challenges and trends, risks and opportunities; and further enhance their unique role as leaders within their own organizations, the World Economic Forum and the broader global community.

Notes to Editors
For a complete list of 2012's YGLs, and further information about the Forum of Young Global Leaders visit: http://www.younggloballeaders.org/

About The Forum of Young Global Leaders
Established by Professor Klaus Schwab in 2004, The Forum of Young Global Leaders is a unique, multi-stakeholder community of the world's most extraordinary young leaders who dedicate a part of their time to jointly addressing global challenges and who are committed to devote their knowledge and energy to working collectively towards a better future. Every year, the Forum honours between 100 and 200 outstanding young leaders from around the world for their professional accomplishments, commitment to society and potential to contribute to shaping the future of the world.

The World Economic Forum is an independent international organization committed to improving the state of the world by engaging leaders in partnerships to shape global, regional and industry agendas. Incorporated as a foundation in 1971 and based in Geneva, Switzerland, the World Economic Forum is impartial and not-for-profit; it is tied to no political, partisan or national interests.

About CBC/Radio-Canada
CBC/Radio-Canada is Canada's national public broadcaster and one of its largest cultural institutions. The Corporation is a leader in reaching Canadians on new platforms and delivers a comprehensive range of radio, television, Internet, and satellite-based services. Deeply rooted in the regions, CBC/Radio-Canada is the only domestic broadcaster to offer diverse regional and cultural perspectives in English, French and eight Aboriginal languages, plus seven languages for international audiences. In 2011, CBC/Radio-Canada celebrated 75 years of serving Canadians and being at the centre of the democratic, social and cultural life of Canada.

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