Open Applications: Annual Meeting 2024 (Open 20 August - 20 September 2023)
The World Economic Forum believes that progress happens by bringing together people from all walks of life who have the drive and the influence to create change.
Global Shapers have a important role to play in shaping the global agenda, ensuring that the voices of young people are heard and acted upon at World Economic Forum Meetings and beyond. Are you considering applying to an upcoming Forum meeting? Below are the answers to the frequently asked questions on the application and selection processes.
Application Criteria
1. WHAT MAKES A SUCCESSFUL APPLICANT?
We're looking for Shapers who:
- understand the mission of the Global Shapers Community as articulated in our Charter
- respect and live up to our Charter, Membership Committments and Responsible Behaviour
- improve the state of the world by contributing to their hub’s local projects and activities
- can advance the theme of the meeting and provide insights on relevant thematic areas
- can articulate their expertise and how this opportunity will strengthen their impact
- will not age out from the by the Annual Meeting (turn 33 or 30 depending on joining date)
2. WHAT EVENTS CAN I APPLY TO?
The Forum convenes two annual meetings and several regional summits a year, bringing all stakeholders to the table. All Shapers listed on Toplink can apply given they will not age out from the Community by the meeting start. Only Shapers belonging to hubs within the respective region, are eligible to apply to regional summits.
Open Applications: Annual Meeting 2024 (Open 20 August - 20 September 2023)
3. WHERE CAN I APPLY?
In order to make our event selection process more efficient and keep track of the hundreds of applications that we receive and review, we create a simple application form for all Shapers to complete. You will be asked to record a short video to complement your written application.
4. MY HUB IS NEW AND IS JUST GETTING STARTED. CAN I STILL APPLY?
Yes. We welcome new members and members of new hubs as well.
5. ARE CURATORS SELECTED OVER GLOBAL SHAPERS?
No. Shapers and Curators have the same opportunity.
6. I CAN ONLY COME FOR PART OF A MEETING. SHOULD I STILL APPLY?
No. Participants are required to stay for the whole event.
7. I HAVE ATTENDED A FORUM MEETING BEFORE: DOES THAT MAKE IT LESS LIKELY THAT I WILL BE SELECTED AGAIN?
While we try to prioritize those individuals who have not attended Forum meetings before, we also seek to bring the best and most diversified team possible. We therefore encourage everyone interested to apply.
8. I APPLIED TO A FORUM MEETING BEFORE AND WAS NOT SELECTED. SHOULD I TRY AGAIN?
Absolutely! As we seek to diversify the delegation to the greatest extent and also select Shapers in accordance with each Forum meeting’s theme, there are several reasons why an unsuccessful application may actually provide the balance needed in another application pool.
9. DOES MY HUB NEED TO APPROVE MY APPLICATION?
For transparency, you should inform your hub that you are applying. If selected, you will represent your hub at the event in addition to yourself. However, you don't need permission to apply. All active Shapers on TopLink are eligible. There is no limit to how many Shapers per hub may apply to attend an event.
Application Video
10. WHY DO YOU ASK APPLICANTS TO SUBMIT A VIDEO?
Videos allow us to understand how expressive, articulate and knowledgeable an applicant is. We share these videos with our Forum colleagues so that Shapers may be considered as speakers for sessions. The videos, along with applicant bios, give us a better understanding of how the Shaper will fit into our programme.
11. WHAT MAKES A GREAT APPLICATION VIDEO?
We like videos that are short, to the point, avoid clichés and demonstrate the impact you have in the world and your competency in a relevant subject matter. Avoid telling us about your awards and honors and instead focus on the work that you do and why it’s unique. Including numbers that demonstrate your impact is always helpful.
Finally, some have chosen to submit art projects in lieu of first-person narrative videos. While we often enjoy these videos, they are in the end discouraged as they often fail to fulfill the stated objective. We also don’t recommend reading your message to the camera as this makes it difficult for us to determine how well someone speaks in a spontaneous exchange.
You may be inspired (we were) by the submissions of successful applicants from past events:
- Yara Ghouth, Jeddah Hub (World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2023)
- Joseph Solis, Chicago Hub (World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2023)
- Arnold Sigauque, Tshwane Hub (World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2023)
- Fan Hongyi, Chengdu Hub (World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2023)
- Brooke Hadeed, Port of Spain Hub (World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2023)
- Alexis Taylor, Austin Hub (World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2022)
12. HOW IMPORTANT IS THE QUALITY OF MY VIDEO?
You don’t need to contract Steven Spielberg or George Lucas to direct your video! We pay a lot of attention to the quality of your answer. A good video should demonstrate your strengths, expressiveness, abilities, experience and the impact you have. Be sure to respect the time limit. If you submit a video longer than one minute, we will only watch the first 60 seconds.
13. CAN I SUBMIT THE SAME VIDEO I'VE SUBMITTED FOR A DIFFERENT MEETING?
If you feel that the video represents your best effort to address the question then by all means feel free to re-submit.
14. WILL YOU PUBLISH MY VIDEO PUBLICLY?
Please email your Community Manager if you would not like to have your video published publicly.
15. CAN I FILM MY VIDEO IN A LANGUAGE OTHER THAN ENGLISH?
For World Economic Forum annual and regional meetings, we only accept videos in English unless stated otherwise.
Selection Process
16. WHO WILL REVIEW MY APPLICATION?
Every application is reviewed at least twice by members of the Global Shapers Team, as well as colleagues from other World Economic Forum teams. If you are selected to attend an event, your video may also be shared with the Forum's Programme team who select speakers for relevant events. Please note, that applications from anyone who does not meet eligibility criteria (active Toplink profile, age, Hub under investigation) are not reviewed.
17. HOW WILL YOU REVIEW MY APPLICATION?
We watch your application video and read the information indicated in your application form, with special attention to your biography, job, position as well as the hub projects you are currently involved in. Based on the above, every application is rated on a scale from 1 to 5 by multiple reviewers. If your video doesn’t work, your application is rated 0 and isn’t considered.
18. HOW DO YOU MAKE THE FINAL SELECTION?
Following the ratings, we identify the highest scoring Shapers. We then undergo a second process towards final selection, which includes ensuring gender balance (gender balance and inclusion of gender-diverse persons), one Shaper per hub (exceptions may apply), region and country quotas, etc. Our goal is to put forward the strongest and most diversified representation possible.
19. MY HUB IS UNDER INVESTIGATION BY THE ADVISORY COUNCIL. ARE WE ELIGIBLE?
No. All Global Shapers must adhere to the high ethical standards outlined in our Community Charter and demonstrate Responsible Behaviour. If your hub is under investigation for breaching any of these important protocols, event applications from your hub will not be considered for the Annual Meeting or any other Forum meetings, until the case is closed.
Post-Selection
20. HOW WILL I FIND OUT IF I AM SELECTED?
We announce the selected Shapers for each meeting on TopLink and in the newsletter around a month after the call for applications has closed.
21. WILL I RECEIVE FEEDBACK IF I AM NOT SELECTED?
Unfortunately, we don’t have the capacity to provide individualized feedback to unsuccessful applicants.
22. IF I AM SELECTED BUT LATER FIND THAT I CAN ONLY COME FOR PART OF THE MEETING, IS THIS OK?
Commitment is the value that underpins our community. Therefore, Shapers who cannot take part in the whole meeting will have to be uninvited so that others who can fully commit can attend.
23. IF I AM SELECTED, CAN MY SPOUSE OR PARTNER ATTEND AS WELL?
Unfortunately resource constraints mean that we cannot accommodate spouses or partners.
24. WHAT IS MY RESPONSIBILITY AS A SHAPER ONCE SELECTED TO PARTICIPATE?
We ask that you take part in all Shaper-specific events and sessions and conduct yourself as a representative for the entire community. Depending on the meeting’s theme, we may even ask you to join us as a panellist or discussion leader.
25. WILL THE FORUM COVER MY EXPENSES?
Thanks to the generosity of the World Economic Forum, registration fees for Global Shapers delegations to Forum meetings are covered. Air travel and accommodation costs for those who request financial assistance may be provided, if funding is available. Priority will be given to Shapers with the greatest need. Visas, meals, travel insurance and other incidental expenses are the responsibility of attendees. Shapers who have the means to finance their travel and accommodation are strongly encouraged to do so as this helps us provide support to those who need it most.