For Immediate Release
March 11, 2008
John Baird named 2008 Young Global Leader
(Geneva, Switzerland) – The World Economic Forum announced today that John Baird, Member of Parliament for Ottawa West-Nepean and federal Environment Minister, has been named one of their Young Global Leaders for 2008. This honour is bestowed each year by the World Economic Forum to recognize and acknowledge the top 200-300 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 Young Global Leaders 2008 include 121 business leaders, as well as leaders from government, academia, the media and society at large from 65 countries.
“The World Economic Forum is a true multistakeholder community of global decision-makers. We need the Young Global Leaders to be a voice for the future in the global thought process and as a catalyst for initiatives in the global public interest,” said Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum.
“It is truly an honour and a great responsibility to be chosen as a Young Global Leader especially given the esteemed company,” said Mr. Baird. “The class of 2008 is tasked at looking ahead and initiating movements for the global public interest, something which I am confident we can achieve.”
In addition to John Baird, the Young Global Leaders 2008 nominated from North America include Eric Anderson, President and Chief Executive Officer, Space Adventures, USA; Leonardo DiCaprio, Actor, USA; Kristine Layfield, Director of Programming, CBC Television, Canada; Michelle A. Peluso, Chief Executive Officer, Travelocity.com, USA; and Jeremy Philips, Executive Vice-President, Office of the Chairman, News Corporation, USA, among others.
Established in 2004 by Professor Klaus Schwab, The Forum of Young Global Leaders is a unique, multistakeholder community of the world’s most extraordinary young leaders, who dedicate a part of their time to jointly addressing global challenges and who are committed to devoting some of their knowledge and energy to collectively work towards a better future. As part of their engagement, the Young Global Leaders give their time to task forces to initiate, develop and drive innovative solutions on important, globally-oriented issues, including health, education, the environment, global governance and security, and development and poverty.
Drawn from a pool of almost 5,000 candidates, the Young Global Leaders 2008 were chosen by a selection committee of 31 eminent international media leaders, including Thomas H. Glocer, Chief Executive Officer, Reuters, United Kingdom; Arthur Sulzberger, Chairman and Publisher, The New York Times, USA; Robert Thomson, Publisher, Dow Jones & Company and The Wall Street Journal, USA; and Hisashi Hieda, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Fuji Television Network, Japan. The selection committee is chaired by H.M. Queen Rania Al Abdullah of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
For a full list of YGLs 2008, please visit www.younggloballeaders.org.
Photo: John Baird, Member of Parliament for Ottawa West-Nepean celebrates Earth Day 2007 with students from Lakeview Public School.
Further information:
Office of John Baird, MP
Ottawa West-Nepean
613-996-0984
