Forum of Young Global Leaders

The Forum of Young Global Leaders is a leadership community convened by a Swiss private foundation established by the World Economic Forum. Each year it selects roughly 100 to 120 people under the age of 40 from business, public office, science, civil society, media and the arts, and enrols them in a structured development programme. The current programme runs for three years and combines academic modules (including executive education at Harvard Kennedy School), thematic gatherings, and participation in World Economic Forum activities such as the Annual Meeting in Davos. On completing the programme, members move into an alumni community that continues to meet. Membership is not open to application: candidates are nominated by Forum members and partners, screened against published criteria, and selected through a process that has historically involved an external executive search firm and a selection committee. The community reports more than 1,400 members and alumni from over 120 countries. The foundation also convenes the World Economic Forum's Global Future Council on Leadership.

Cách thức hoạt động

New members enter as an annual class and complete a three-year development programme of academic modules, thematic gatherings and contributions to World Economic Forum initiatives. Members attend Forum convenings, including Davos, and periodic YGL-only summits such as the 20th anniversary gathering in Singapore in 2024. After the programme they join the alumni community and retain access to community events. There are no local chapters; cohesion comes from classes, regional groupings and Forum events.

Thành viên điển hình

Members are selected in annual classes of roughly 100-120 people under the age of 40 and include ministers, heads of state, chief executives, founders, scientists, journalists and artists. The Class of 2026 comprised 118 leaders from 55 countries.

The YGL programme is a recognition-and-development network rather than a peer-advisory or business group: nobody applies, and the value is proximity to the World Economic Forum's convening system rather than confidential problem-solving with peers. Two details are worth noting. First, the programme length has changed: older Forum material describes a five-year commitment, while the current site describes a three-year programme, so descriptions found elsewhere may be out of date. Second, the published nomination criteria are qualitative and the substantive filters (who may nominate, how the selection committee decides) are not disclosed. The Forum does not publish member dues or any fee schedule, and it does not publish an acceptance rate beyond saying that around 100 places are filled from thousands of candidates. The community has attracted sustained outside commentary about influence and elite networks; that commentary is not evidence about how selection actually works.

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