Klaus Schwab facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Klaus Schwab
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Schwab in 2011
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| Chairman of the World Economic Forum | |
| Assumed office 24 January 1971 |
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| Preceded by | Office established |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 30 March 1938 Ravensburg, Free People's State of Württemberg, Germany |
| Spouse |
Hilde Schwab
(m. 1971) |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | ETH Zürich (Dr. Sc. Tech) University of Fribourg (Dr. Rer. Pol) Harvard University (MPA) |
Klaus Martin Schwab (born 30 March 1938) is a German mechanical engineer and economist. He is best known as the founder of the World Economic Forum (WEF). He has been the chairman of the WEF since he started it in 1971. In May 2024, the WEF shared that Mr. Schwab will change his role. By January 2025, he will become the chairman of the Board of Trustees.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Klaus Martin Schwab was born on 30 March 1938. His parents were Eugen Wilhelm Schwab and Erika Epprecht. He was born in a city called Ravensburg in Germany. His family moved back to Germany after World War II.
School Days
Mr. Schwab went to primary school in Switzerland for a short time. After his family moved back to Germany, he finished his schooling there. In 1957, he earned his high school diploma.
University Studies
Klaus Schwab studied at several important universities. In 1961, he graduated as a mechanical engineer. This was from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich. He also earned a doctorate degree in engineering.
He then earned another doctorate degree in economics. This was from the University of Fribourg. Later, he got a Master's degree in Public Administration. He earned this from Harvard University in the United States. While at Harvard, he was mentored by Henry Kissinger. Mr. Kissinger later became a very important government official.
Klaus Schwab's Career
From 1972 to 2003, Klaus Schwab was a professor. He taught business policy at the University of Geneva. Since then, he has been an honorary professor there. In 1998, Mr. Schwab and his wife, Hilde, started a special organization. It is called the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship. This foundation helps people who create businesses to solve social problems.
World Economic Forum
Klaus Schwab founded the European Management Forum in 1971. This organization later changed its name. In 1987, it became known as the World Economic Forum. The WEF is a big international group. It brings together leaders from business, politics, and other areas. They meet to discuss important global issues.
In 2011, Schwab started the Global Shapers Community. This is part of the WEF. It helps young people work on important topics. These topics can be local, regional, or global. In 2015, the Swiss Government officially recognized the WEF. They called it an "international body."
As an Author
Klaus Schwab has written or helped write several books. One of his well-known ideas is the "Fourth Industrial Revolution." He wrote a book about this in 2016. This idea talks about how new technologies are changing the world. These technologies include things like artificial intelligence and robotics.
Awards and Recognitions
Klaus Schwab has received many awards and honors. He was given the French Legion of Honour. This is a very high award from France. He also received the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany. This is Germany's highest honor.
He was also recognized by Queen Elizabeth. She made him an honorary Knight Commander. This is a special title from the United Kingdom. Schwab has also received honorary degrees. These are special awards from universities. They include the National University of Singapore.
Personal Life
Klaus Schwab married Hilde Schwab in 1971. She used to be his assistant. They got married in a church in Switzerland. The couple lives in a town called Cologny in Switzerland.
Klaus and Hilde Schwab have two adult children. Their names are Nicole and Olivier. Nicole Schwab helped start a project. It is called the Gender Equality Project.
See also
In Spanish: Klaus Schwab para niños
