Davos, Switzerland, 25-29 January 2006

The World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting is the world's leading business-related summit. It brings together leaders from business, government and society from more than 100 countries to help set the global agenda, identify emerging issues and challenges, and engage in dialogue, initiative and action.

The theme for the 2006 Annual Meeting was "The Creative Imperative", recognising that the assumptions which leaders have depended on to make decisions over the past 5-7 years are no longer adequate. The relationship between economic growth and job creation is shifting as knowledge and information technology are rapidly globalized and commoditized. All of this is taking place in the context of growing uncertainty, risk and doubt. Despite (or because of) these changes in the global environment there’s great opportunity for those who innovate and create.

In other words, Creativity is an Imperative.

The 2006 Annual Meeting had about 2,300 participants, including 15 heads of state or government, 60 cabinet ministers, 23 religious leaders, 13 union leaders and more than 30 heads of non-governmental organizations. Typically some 50% of participants are business leaders, drawn principally from the Forum's members – 1,000 of the foremost companies from around the world and across all economic sectors, including BT.

The Annual Meeting began with the "Big Debate" – an interactive session in which participants exchanged views and experiences. The programme then followed five main themes that are high on the global agenda for 2006. These range from "The Emergence of China and India" and "The Changing Economic Landscape" to "New Mindsets and Changing Attitudes", "Creating Future Jobs" and "Regional Identities and Struggles".
Learn more about the programme >>