World Economic Forum, [email protected]
- New Forum report offers examples of businesses partnering with faith-based groups to support vulnerable populations and address the world's interconnected crises.
- Faith in Action highlights projects covering such topics as the environment, equitable energy transition, health and healthcare, inclusive communities and technology governance.
- Numerous religious leaders and faith-based organizations are participating in the Annual Meeting.
- Read the report here. For more information on the Annual Meeting 2024, visit www.weforum.org. Share on social media using #wef24.
Davos-Klosters, Switzerland, 17 January 2024 - New insights from a recent World Economic Forum report show how faith-based groups, including traditional religious institutions, interfaith alliances and faith-motivated investors, are forming innovative partnerships with the private sector to advance efforts on climate action, responsible technology, and other areas.
Faith in Action, produced in collaboration with the World Evangelical Alliance, Bhumi Global, Council for Inclusive Capitalism, the Religious Freedom and Business Foundation, the Abu Dhabi Forum for Peace, and others, details eight impact case studies on the environment, health, resilience and technology governance.
"Eighty-five percent of the world's population follow a religious or spiritual tradition and global leaders must find new ways to engage with faith-based groups and others in civil society that are the closest to the communities and solutions needed today," said David Sangokoya, Head of Civil Society Impact at the World Economic Forum. "The report reflects on how business can accelerate positive societal impact together with faith actors through partnerships, and additionally what the world of faith can bring towards driving corporate social impact, improving employee engagement and bridging ideological divisions."
For example, following several multistakeholder consultations convened by the Vatican, the Council for Inclusive Capitalism brings together key multinational companies around the Just Transition Framework for Corporate Action, supporting companies in the transition to net-zero economies by focusing on universal net-zero energy, workforce evolution, community resilience, and collaboration and transparency.
Through its Center for Technology and Society, the Anti-Defamation League works with major social media, technology and gaming companies to monitor, track and mitigate hate speech and harassment in online spaces.
The Transformational Business Network Alliance (TBN Alliance) is working to champion enterprise solutions to poverty in low-income underserved communities and regions around the world through a large global collaborative multi-sectoral alliance.
"Multistakeholder collaboration is critical for tackling the climate and biodiversity crises, and new partnerships with business and faith groups can help accelerate the momentum we need to create a thriving and flourishing world for future generations," said Gopal Patel, Co-Founder and Director, Bhumi Global; Co-Chair, United Nations Multi-faith Advisory Council.
As part of its civil society communities and across its Centres, the World Economic Forum engages over 100 religious leaders, faith-based organizations, interfaith groups, multi-faith networks and experts of religion from over 10 of the world's major religions and spiritual traditions. A number of religious leaders and faith-based organizations are participating in the Annual Meeting 2024.
About the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2024
The World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2024, taking place on 15-19 January in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland, convenes the world's foremost leaders under the theme "Rebuilding Trust." For further information, click here.
