Human-Centric Economy is ‘a moral imperative’Pope tells global leaders

In a message to participants, His Holiness Pope Francis has urged participants at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting to take bold steps to build a sustainable, human-centred future. The Pope echoed theme of the meeting, Creating a Shared Future in a Fractured World, calling on participants to build “inclusive, just and supportive societies” The 48th World Economic Forum Annual Meeting is taking place on 23-26 January in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland

Pope Francis helped open the 48th World Economic Forum Annual Meeting with a special message, passionately calling on participants to overcome fragmentation between states and institutions and work together to facilitate more inclusive approaches in an increasingly globalised world.

In a speech delivered by Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson, Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, Pope Francis said “It is vital to safeguard the dignity of the human person, in particular by offering to all people real opportunities for integral human development and by implementing economic policies that favour the family.”

Echoing the theme of the meeting, Creating a Shared Future in a Fractured World, the Pope said, “The entrepreneurial world has enormous potential to effect substantial change by increasing the quality of productivity, creating new jobs, respecting labour laws, fighting against … corruption and promoting social justice.” He continued: “If we want a more secure future, one that encourages the prosperity of all, then it is necessary to keep the compass continually oriented towards ‘true north’,” represented by authentic values.

The World Economic Forum’s 48th Annual Meeting opens in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland. More than 3,000 leaders from around the world are gathering in a collaborative effort to shape the global, regional and industry agendas, with a commitment to improve the state of the world. The meeting brings together governments, international organisations, business, civil society, cultural leaders, media, experts and the young generation, at the highest level and in representative ways.