A SHARED FUTURE IN DAVOS
As a family-run business, Swarovski thinks in generations, not in quarters. It’s this philosophy that motivates the brand to lend their voice and support at philanthropic events across the globe. One such gathering was the 48th World Economic Forum Annual Meeting – the foremost platform for engaging the world’s top leaders in collaborative activities to shape the year’s agendas. Here, Swarovski engaged in special events, panel discussions and media appearances, and hosted a special preview of its new Waterschool documentary to promote sustainability and champion women’s rights and gender equality.
Held in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland, the World Economic Forum (WEF) aims to rededicate leaders from all walks of life to develop a shared narrative which will improve the state of the world. Each year, the program, initiatives and projects change, and for 2018, the focus has shifted to “Creating a Shared Future in a Fractured World.” Influencing this year’s focus was the recent changes in global context, with geostrategic divides re-emerging on multiple fronts leading to wide-ranging political, economic and social consequences. Major challenges range from economic prosperity and social cohesion to sustainable development and inclusive growth while touching on social media’s ability to create an echo chamber, resulting in a collective purpose that remains elusive.
In the context of these issues, Swarovski focused on areas in which it feels the company can have most impact, including water stewardship, women’s empowerment and responsible consumption in the jewelry and fashion industry. The four-day forum saw Swarovski Executive Board Member, Nadja Swarovski, discuss these topics on panels with CNBC and The Equality Lounge, during broadcast interviews with CNBC and the BBC and with journalists from Fortune and Asharq Al-Awsat, among others.
In-between these appearances, Nadja hosted the Swarovski Waterschool Panel Discussion and Event. WEF delegates, business leaders, academics and NGO persons, and media attended an exclusive preview of Waterschool, a documentary created in partnership with the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television, followed by an energetic debate around water conservation. The film offers a first-hand view of Swarovski Waterschool, an organization that has educated almost half-a-million young people in seven countries around the world about the importance of preserving fresh water.
Swarovski has been a member of WEF since its inception in 1971, dating back to Daniel Swarovski II’s relationship with the organization’s founder, Klaus Schwabb. Additional key members and partners include Google, eBay, Credit Swiss, HSBC, Facebook, Visa, McKinsey & Company and Coca Cola.
