March 6, 2012

Every year, the World Economic Forum - whose activities include its annual gathering of the world's most influential leaders in Davos, Switzerland - designates a list of Young Global Leaders, people the organization describes as "exceptional young leaders who share a commitment to shaping the global future."

The 2012 list was released today, and it includes 192 people, from 59 different countries, who are recognized as leaders in fields from business and government to civil society and media. Among this year's honorees - who were selected from among thousands of nominees to join the WEF's ongoing Forum of Young Global Leaders - are entrepreneurs, politicians, democracy advocates, artists, business leaders ... and George!

He will be joined by fellow Canadians Kaliya Hamlin, of the Personal Data Ecosystem Consortium, and Tim Wu, a senior advisor with the Federal Trade Commission, on the Forum - along with a varied list of impressive young leaders from around the world. Here are just a few of George's fellow Forum inuctees:

Fatima Bhutto: A writer and journalist from Pakistan active in her country's politics (she is the granddaughter of former prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto) , she has also published two volumes of poetry and contributes to Western news outlets.

Wael Ghonim: The former head of marketing for Google in the Middle East and North Africa, Ghonim played a prominent role in the Egyptian uprisings in 2011 - he was arrested by police for his administration of the Facebook page "We Are All Khaled Saleed", which helped inspire other activists. He was named by TIME Magazine as on of the most influential people of 2011.

Matteo Renzi: An Italian politician who has crusaded against the stranglehold on power held by ousted prime minister Silvio Berlusconi's generation. Renzi was elected as mayor of Florence in 2009, and has said that Italian politicians should face a mandatory retirement age.

Nurul Izzah Anwar: The Member of Parliament for the Lembah Pantai district in Malaysia, Anwar rose to prominence in 1998 (when she was 18) due to her campaigns on behalf of her father, who was arrested by the Malaysian government on charges of sodomy and graft. She defeated a powerful incumbent in her first run for office in 2008.

John Legend: The Grammy-winning singer started the Show Me Campaign to help fight poverty in the United States and around the world based on a particular focus on education and developing better opportunities for underprivileged kids.

To see the complete 2012 list of Young Global Leaders, visit the World Economic Forum website.

At news of George's inclusion on the 2012 list, Kirstine Stewart, executive vice-president of English Services for the CBC, said "I would like to extend heartfelt congratulations to George on being selected as a Young Global Leader. George continues to inspire, educate and entertain Canadians on a daily basis, and we're thrilled that he's been recognized by the World Economic Forum with this global honour."

George's fellow honoree John Legend was in the red chair in late 2010. You can check out their conversation by clicking on the image below: