DAVOS is almost here! How what should leaders attending the World Economic Forum focus on?

If you want to shape the agenda you have to go to where power meets. Thats why the Global Citizen team is out ijn full force at Davos this week

Dear Friends and Supporters,

I am currently writing this from the airport for my first work trip. My daughter Miki is almost 8 weeks old and so it feels a bit weird being away from her for the first time. But I’m determined as ever to do my part to ensure the world we leave her has a prosperous and bright future. And I believe that - despite the gloom - there are still many reasons for hope!

On that optimistic note, earlier this week artist and co-founder of Peace Love used his regular Wednesday artist session to make this wonderful painting to celebrate the launch of “From Ideas to Impact.”

I continue to look forward to the Pre-Launch Party for my book that our friends at Changing Our World are hosting on Tuesday, January 30th, 2024 @ 5:30pm. The event will take place here in New York with snacks and drinks, and with some excellent speakers. Please fill out the following form to RSVP and receive more information! 

Recognizing that not everyone can attend or resides in New York, I've received messages from people asking how they can support the book campaign and spread the word. Here are a few ways to actively participate:

Pre-order the Book: Pre-orders play a crucial role in how Amazon positions the book. You can pre-order by clicking here.

Prefer a signed copy? You can order one here.

Bulk Orders for Institutions: Consider placing a bulk order for your institution. Many have expressed interest in doing this for their colleagues. If you’re interested, please email michael@michaelsheldrick.com.

Share on LinkedIn and with friends: Please help spread the word by sharing the book on LinkedIn or with your close friends and supporters.

Join the Marketing and Review Committee:  If you're keen on spreading the word about the book through various platforms, organizing or hosting book talks, or suggesting media opportunities, your support would be greatly appreciated!  We're also looking for volunteers to receive an advance copy of the book and commit to posting a review in sync with the launch.  Please to reach out to both me at michael@michaelsheldrick.com and committe chair Mike Hoffman at mhoffman@changingourworld.com.

Support Book Giveaways to Grassroots Change Advocates: This book is all about empowering individuals and organizations to drive policy change. Anyone can be a policy entrepreneur; we want more citizens and nonprofits involved.  Scott Jackson of Global Impact has joined the book's marketing committee and graciously set up a nonprofit fund to distribute copies to nonprofits and advocates globally, ensuring widespread access to the tools outlined in the book.  If you's like to contribute or support this effoort, you can make a tax-deductible donation to Global Impact's fund here.  Alternateively, consider placing a bulk order for your institution, as many have expressed interest in doing so for their colleagues.

Davos is almost here! 

This coming week, Global Citizen is headed to Davos for this year’s World Economic Forum. I’m arriving Monday morning and will be joined by Nomzamo Mbatha as the Global Citizen ambassador, along with multiple senior leaders on the GC team, including Chief Vision Officer, Kweku Mandela, Chief Executive Officer, Hugh Evans, Vice President for Policy and Strategic Partnerships Liz Agbor-Tabi, and our new Chief Revenue Officer, Doug Smoyer.

Global Citizen has previously attended Davos, but this year feels different. Rapid global economic changes, conflicts, unprecedented heatwaves, growing apathy towards democratic principles, and the continuous evolution of technology are impacting humanity at a blistering pace; hitting the poorest the hardest. 

As world leaders convene next week to address these pressing issues, the GC team will lead discussions along the Promenade focused on immediate actions they can take in 2024 to ensure progress can be made toward our mission by driving investments, particularly for youth, to establish the groundwork for a prosperous, common future. 

This future depends on ensuring children have access to essential healthcare, including groundbreaking developments like the newly approved malaria vaccines, allowing more children to reach their 5th birthday. It relies on guaranteeing that children do not miss out on education, even in communities at the forefront of increasing humanitarian and climate crises. Finally, it hinges on institutions like the World Bank redirecting investments toward clean energy projects. This action would create job opportunities for millions of young people across Africa, ensuring they actively benefit from the world's agreed-upon transition from fossil fuels, as decided at the climate talks in Dubai last month. 

We saw a glimpse of this future at Move Afrika: Rwanda last month. The debut show in Rwanda alone employed over 1000 Rwandans and engaged 75 percent of the local crew and production staff. The event placed a particular emphasis on creating opportunities for skill development and international event training. As expressed by Kweku, the event set "a marker in the sand around live touring events and showcasing the creative economy on the African continent." 

But to advance this future, world leaders must commence 2024 by prioritizing critical investments in Access to Health, Skills & Education, and Green Jobs. I highlight how we’re tackling these issues in this short recap video and in this article I wrote for Forbes here.

If you’re in Davos, I welcome you to join any of GC’s events and participate in these discussions. You will find the full slate of programming below. GC’s first event will kick off on Monday at Goals House and we would love for you to join us. You can RSVP to globalcitizen@goalshouse.com and Annabel.hogg@globalcitizen.org

In collaboration with Forbes, GC will also be hosting one of the most special events of the week on Wednesday evening – “A Night of Songs and Stories” featuring artists Nile Rodgers, will.i.am, and Cool & Dre. This special evening will be hosted by Nomzamo.

If you would like to join, please contact the GC team and they will help RSVP you.

EVENT: Unity Earth’s Awakening to Humanity’s Sacred Mission 

I am honored to speak at next month’s Awakening to Humanity’s Sacred Mission: An International Symposium and Call to Action. Please use this link to register and learn more about this event! 

My Weekend Reading List

• Pandemic Action Network #LongRead

• A Q&A with Avinash Persaud, key architect of the Bridgetown Agenda and the loss and damage fund

• Conflict in Burkina Faso couldn’t silence me. It fueled my desire for social change instead

• 7 Climate Records That Were Broken in 2023

If you missed it last week, check out the 16 book, podcast and TV show recommendations I offer for leaders to explore in 2024.

As always, if you’re enjoying the weekly newsletter format, and want even more, you can subscribe to my Substack here where I publish reviews, lists, and articles regularly. 

Til next week,

Mick