The Magic of Davos: An Experience of a Lifetime

As a member of the Global Shapers Community, I have always been fascinated by the idea of coming to Davos, Switzerland and connecting with the brightest and most talented participants from around the world to deep dive into contemporary world issues. Every year, I make sure to follow the Davos Agenda virtually, never missing the opportunity to learn about the latest trends and innovations in various industries.

So, when I learned about the opportunity for Global Shapers to participate in the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting in Davos through a competitive application process, I knew I had to apply. To my surprise, I was one of the lucky 50 Global Shapers selected to attend the 2020 edition of the conference, representing the entire community at the event.

Travelling to the small but famous town of Davos, located in the Swiss Alps, was one of the most remarkable trips of my life. It was my first time travelling outside of Africa, and my first time experiencing the so-called developed world. The experience was truly transformative.

Davos 2022 was marked as the first in-person Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum since January 2020, with the theme of “History at a Turning Point”. The conference covered six timely and fascinating sub-themes, including Gender, Inequality and Jobs of Tomorrow, Preparing for the Next Pandemic Requires Ending Health Disparities, and Three Interconnected Crises – Climate, Food, Energy, and many more. I was particularly interested in the Three Interconnected Crises, as it was considered one of the most imminent threats faced by humanity, regardless of their level of development around the world.

Over the course of five days, I attended over 50 sessions on a wide range of issues, from globalization, health, climate change, geopolitics, and many others. I had the opportunity to shake hands with key influential leaders, including John Kerry, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Al Gore, and Bill Gates.

One of the highlights of my experience was the “Preparing for the Next Pandemic” session, which was packed with attendees, as the topic was unique and interesting, and the speakers included Bill Gates and President Paul Kagame. I still remember approaching Bill Gates after the session with my fellow Global Shapers, although we never managed to secure a selfie with him!

Aside from the sessions, Davos was an incredible place! The beautiful landscape was beyond imagination. During the evenings, I had the opportunity to connect with participants of all kinds and make new friends as we explored the Piano Bars around town. I still remember the time we accidentally met the famous writer Adam Grants, who was one of the key speakers at the conference. He had a session on the “Four-Day Working Week”, which I fully support as a way to build a healthy and productive work environment.

One evening, I went to my hotel, the Sport, with colleagues Liz Kakoosa and Kusai. On our way back, we encountered an Italian journalist who was travelling in a mini-bus. We chatted about the Davos conference and how many times each of us had attended. The Italian journalist informed us that he had been to Davos 10 times or more. We all agreed that attending Davos multiple times is the best way to get the most out of the conference, as many leaders do. I thought to myself that if I made it to Davos in my current role, maybe I could attend again with a different title, such as a head of state.

Davos 2022 was not just about attending sessions and networking, it was about the overall experience of being part of a global community of thought leaders and problem-solvers. It was a unique opportunity to gain a new understanding of the world and its challenges and to come away with a renewed sense of purpose and direction.

One of the most significant takeaways from my experience at Davos was the recognition that change starts with the individual. We, as young leaders, have the power to drive change and make a positive impact in our communities and the world at large.

The impact of the Annual Meeting in Davos is long-lasting. The relationships, the knowledge and the connections I made during my time there will continue to shape my perspective and inform my work for years to come. I came away from Davos inspired and motivated to make a difference and to continue to work towards building a better world for all.

Davos was the perfect platform for amplifying the voices of young people and ensuring that their perspectives were taken into consideration when making decisions that impact the world. I was personally humbled and honoured to attend Davos 2022 as the only Somali national at the conference that year.

I am always truly grateful for my experience at Davos. It gave me the opportunity to meet some of the best and brightest young leaders from around the world, and the bonds I formed with my fellow Global Shapers are truly unforgettable. The Global Shapers Headquarters team, Abdullahi Alim, Wadia, Natlia, and Raissa, made our experience even more special.

In conclusion, the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting in Davos is an experience like no other. The beautiful landscape, the opportunity to learn from the best and brightest, the opportunities to network and make new friends, and the chance to be part of a global community of change-makers make Davos truly magical. I am grateful for the opportunity I had to attend and would highly recommend the experience to anyone interested in creating a better world.