In addition to glittering stars such as Ferrari’s Michael Schumacher, Coldplay’s Chris Martin and golf supremo Tiger Woods, the heads of the world’s top social-networking sites Facebook, Bebo and YouTube were also included in the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) list of outstanding young leaders.
Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg, YouTube’s Chad Hurley (pictured) and Bebo’s Michael Birch were included in the WEF Young Global Leaders (YGL) 2009 list.
The list also included Cuban blogger Yoani Sanchez of the world-renowned Generación Y blog.
The honour, bestowed each year by the Forum, recognises and acknowledges between 200 and 300 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 Forum nominated Young Global Leaders from 71 countries. These include business leaders, as well as leaders from government, academia, non-profit organisations, media and society. The new class represents all regions: East Asia (54), Europe (58), the Middle East and North Africa (12), North America (45), South Asia (24), sub-Saharan Africa (20) and Latin America (17).
“The WEF is a true multi-stakeholder community of global decision-makers. Among the Forum communities, the YGLs represent the voice for the future and a catalyst for initiatives in the global public interest,” said Klaus Schwab, founder and executive chairman of the WEF.
“As we currently face one of the most challenging times economically and socially, the YGLs are even more important in developing, designing and leading a world committed to positive change,” Schwab added.
Drawn from a pool of almost 5,000 candidates, the YGLs 2009 were chosen by a selection committee, comprising 31 eminent international media leaders and chaired by HM Queen Rania Al Abdullah of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
By John Kennedy
Pictured: Chad Hurley, co-founder, YouTube
