Klaus
Martin Schwab is a German-born Swiss economist, businessman, and philanthropist
who founded the World Economic Forum and the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship.
Klaus Schwab started the World Economics Forum in 1971 as a nonprofit foundation
dedicated to improving the state of the world by bringing together global business,
intellectual, media and political leaders to discuss economic and social development.
In 1998, Klaus and his wife Hilde Schwab created the Schwab Foundation for Social
Entrepreneurship in Geneva, Switzerland to support the work of social entrepreneurs
-- individuals who find new and innovative ways to solve social problems. In 2004,
he also founded the Forum of Young Global Leaders, which works with 1000 young
people from all around the world who are dedicated to helping make the world a
better place. Klaus Schwab has also worked with many other organizations working
for peace and sustainable development, including serving as a Trustee for the
Peres Center for Peace, and has served as an advisor on sustainable development
to the United Nations. He has received numerous national and international awards
and honors, including Knighthood bestowed by the Queen of England, and in 2007
was listed by Time Magazine as one of the 100 most influential people who
are transforming the world.
