In January 2007, in a common, yet separate effort to improve the state of the world, both the World Economic and World Social Forums were held - one in Switzerland, the richest country on earth, and one in Kenya, East Africa, flanked by civil wars, droughts and refugee camps.
Both forums held meetings on how to increase GDP for those living below a dollar a day. Yet, those with the economic and political force to shape global policies were at one event, while those most vulnerable were at another.
In the midst of this disparity, the threat of increasing Climate Change, depletion of the earth’s primary resources and other environmental challenges, hung in the balance.
To address the growing social divides and communication gulfs between those most in need of systemic change, and those with the capacity to create it, a new, remarkably inclusive framework for collaboration was called for.
Nov. 16-18, 2008, 200 environmental, humanitarian and business leaders gathered in San Francisco to lay the bedrock of a new system for collaboration with the potential to change history- one that harnesses the unique strength of each citizen, business, and organization to build a sustainable future.
Olympic Convergence
Starting with its third biennial meeting, held in London, August 2013, The Global Summit began to coincide with the Summer Olympics, humanity’s greatest living example of a peaceful convergence.
What’s Next
Having returned to the Bay Area for its 2014 biennial meeting, themed, “Women, Power, Money & Politics”, The Global Summit V continues its Olympic pursuit to EMPOWER HUMANITY in Rio de Janeiro, August 23-28, 2016.
Vision 2020
A locally-led global collaboration system enabling the voices of all people to be heard in addressing the issues that most affect them - and delivering the tools to create local solutions.
The Global Summit started off strong in it’s Bay Area home in 2008 and 2010. In 2012, to bring the vision of mass collaboration into the global spotlight, THE GLOBAL SUMMIT™ set course to coincide with the greatest living example of a peaceful convergence: the Olympic Games.
San Francisco
2014
Rio, Brazil
2016
San Francisco
2018
Tokyo
2020
Be a part of this year’s powerful initiative and discussions!
Since 2008, The Global Summit has been facilitated by Empowerment WORKS, which works to support the collaboration of partners who make each summit possible.