{{Short description|Non-profit London-based organization}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2026}} {{Infobox organization |name = Global Thinkers Forum |image = |formation = {{start date and age|2012}} |language = English |purpose = Education & Development |type = Social-purpose organization |headquarters = London, UK |region_served = Worldwide |leader_title = CEO & Founder |leader_name = Elizabeth Filippouli |website = {{URL|globalthinkersforum.org}} }}
'''Global Thinkers Forum''' ('''GTF''') is a non-profit, London-based organization and was incubated at Oxford University's Saïd Business School in 2011. It was created to "help our societies and leaders navigate a very complex world".{{citation needed|date=December 2017}} GTF launched in 2012 in Amman, Jordan.
==History== GTF was founded in 2012 by Elizabeth Filippouli.{{citation needed|date=February 2023}} The 1st GTF and inaugural GTF Awards for Excellence took place in Amman, Jordan (6-8 October 2012) discussing the role of the modern Arab woman, in the MENA region and globally.<ref>{{cite web|title=Global Thinkers Forum begins next week |url=http://www.jordantimes.com/news/local/global-thinkers-forum-begins-next-week |access-date=5 June 2015 }}{{dead link|date=April 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> GTF convened some 350 international executives under the patronage of Queen Rania of Jordan<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.globalthinkersforum.org/news-and-resources/news/her-majesty-queen-rania-al-abdullah-patrons-gtf |title=Her Majesty Queen Rania al Abdullah Patrons GTF |date=24 September 2012 |website=globalthinkersforum.org}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release|title= Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah attends Global Thinkers Forum (GTF) discussion panel|url= http://www.queenrania.jo/media/press/her-majesty-queen-rania-al-abdullah-attends-global-thinkers-forum-gtf-discussion-panel |date=7 October 2012|access-date=30 June 2015}}</ref> and with the support of the King Abdullah II Fund for Development. GTF was incubated at Oxford Saïd Business School as an initiative to create new thinking and effect positive change for the world.<ref>{{cite web|title=Global Thinkers Forum in conversation with Arianna Huffington | url= http://on.aol.com/video/global-thinkers-forum-517497719| access-date=21 June 2015}}</ref> Speakers and audience at GTF 2012 discussed issues such as the Arab Spring and the role of women in social transformation.<ref>{{cite web|title=Jordan's women celebrate success | url= http://www.dailynewsegypt.com/2012/10/10/jordans-women-celebrate-success/|first=Shahira|last=Amin|website=Daily News Egypt|date=10 October 2012|access-date=11 June 2015}}</ref>
In 2013, Global Thinkers Forum organized its annual event and the GTF 2013 Awards for Excellence in Athens, Greece under the theme 'Leadership & Collaboration'. Among the GTF 2013 speakers in Athens were the High Representative of the UN Alliance of Civilizations Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Marianna V. Vardinoyiannis, Geir Lippestad, the defense lawyer for the Norwegian right-wing extremist Anders Behring Breivik who shared his experience about the impact of terrorist activities in Norway, Professor Tu Weiming, Stephen Cole, Ali Aslan, Hani Masri. {{citation needed|date=February 2023}} The 2nd Forum opened with a keynote by the High Representative of the UN Alliance of Civilizations H.E. Mr. Nassir Abdulaziz Al Nasser, highlighting the importance of leadership responsibility at an international level.<ref>{{cite web|title= The UN High Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations Receives The Excellence in Leadership Award |url= http://www.unaoc.org/2013/12/the-un-high-representative-for-the-alliance-of-civilizations-receives-the-excellence-in-leadership-award/ |access-date=30 June 2015}}</ref> The event was held under the auspices of the Mayor of Athens Yorgos Kaminis<ref>{{cite web|title=北京大学杜维明教授荣获"文化理解杰出成就奖"| url= http://www.pku.org.cn/?p=2336| access-date=18 June 2015}}</ref> Discussions on matters concerning Leadership, Collaboration and Cultural Understanding were held within the framework of the Forum.<ref>{{cite web|title=Global Thinkers Forum held in Athens| url= http://www.china.org.cn/world/Off_the_Wire/2013-12/04/content_30787733.htm|website=China.org.cn |date=4 December 2013| access-date=9 June 2015}}</ref>
In 2014, GTF hosted its Awards in Dubai, UAE, on 28 November 2014 under the theme: "Arab Women as Changemakers – A Celebration of Achievements".<ref>{{cite web|title= Global Thinkers Forum Awards 15 Arab Women | url=http://www.khaleejtimes.com/biz/inside.asp?xfile=/data/uaebusiness/2014/December/uaebusiness_December11.xml§ion=uaebusiness| access-date=9 June 2015}}</ref>
In 2015, GTF co-hosted a Forum in Athens, Greece in partnership with Carnegie Council under the theme 'Democracy & Values',<ref>{{cite web|title= Global Thinkers στην Αθήνα: "Δημοκρατία, αξίες και υπεύθυνη ηγεσία" | url= http://gr.euronews.com/2015/04/25/global-thinkers-in-athens-democracy-values-and-responsible-leadership/ | access-date=21 June 2015}}</ref> creating conversations around leadership and accountability, the issue of collective liability and ethical business.<ref>{{cite web|title= Our troubled democracies and how to fix them| url= http://www.ekathimerini.com/169402/article/ekathimerini/community/our-troubled-democracies-and-how-to-fix-them |first=Nick|last=Malkoutzis|website=ekathimerini.com|date=24 April 2015|access-date=21 June 2015}}</ref> The event was attended by 150 academics, CEOs, public officials and entrepreneurs and was held under the auspices of the Municipality of Athens.<ref>{{cite web|title= Στην Αθήνα το διεθνές συνέδριο Global Thinkers Forum με θέμα 'Ηγεσία & Συνεργασία'|url= http://www.enimerosi24.gr/98509/%CF%83%CF%84%CE%B7%CE%BD-%CE%B1%CE%B8%CE%AE%CE%BD%CE%B1-%CF%84%CE%BF-%CE%B4%CE%B9%CE%B5%CE%B8%CE%BD%CE%AD%CF%82-%CF%83%CF%85%CE%BD%CE%AD%CE%B4%CF%81%CE%B9%CE%BF-global-thinkers-forum-%CE%BC%CE%B5/|access-date=11 June 2015}}</ref>
==Organization== Global Thinkers Forum also creates smaller events such as workshops and roundtable discussions, promoting women's <ref>{{cite web|title= Breaking the mould: Female entrepreneurs | url= http://www.arabianbusiness.com/breaking-mould-female-entrepreneurs-548340.html |first=Tamara|last=Pupic|website=Arabian Business|date=30 April 2014|access-date=30 June 2015}}</ref> and youth empowerment. In April 2014, Global Thinkers Forum and Google UAE co-hosted an event dedicated to women entrepreneurs & innovation in the Google offices in Dubai, in partnership with Oasis500 and Google.<ref>{{cite web|title= Meet me halfway! | url=http://issuu.com/entmagazineme/docs/ent_me_may_14__full_issue/80|access-date=11 June 2015}}</ref> The event featured eight young women pitching to a crowd of MENA investors<ref>{{cite web|title=Jordanian women entrepreneurs pitch to local investors at Google event |url=http://smeinfo.me/2014/04/15/jordanian-women-entrepreneurs-pitch-to-local-investors-at-google-event/ |access-date=22 June 2015 }}{{dead link|date=April 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> In July 2014, GTF hosted the State Department's Special Representative for Commercial and Business Affairs (CBA) Lorraine Hariton in London, for a conversation on international business development, moderated by Bloomberg's Stryker McGuire.<ref>{{cite web|title=A Conversation with Lorraine Hariton: From the Silicon Valley to the White House Interviewer in The West End | url= http://london.eventful.com/events/conversation-lorraine-hariton-silicon-valley-whi-/E0-001-072270109-3| access-date=9 June 2015}}</ref>
==Five-year goals== GTF's mission (five-year goals 2012–2016)is cited to 'nurture leadership talent among women and youth'. As part of this commitment the think tank maps, links, collects and integrates information from across the international system, creates events that help share knowledge and establish common best practices in governance, business, society.<ref>{{cite news|title= Jordan-based Accelerator and Fund Expands Across the Middle East | url=https://blogs.wsj.com/middleeast/2014/04/15/jordan-based-accelerator-and-fund-expands-across-the-middle-east/|first=Rory|last=Jones|newspaper=The Wall Street Journal|date=15 April 2014| access-date=19 June 2015}}</ref>
GTF also produces publications<ref>{{cite web|title= Global Thinkers Forum Publications | url= http://issuu.com/globalthinkersforum| access-date=14 June 2015}}</ref> and engages its members in sector-specific initiatives. In 2014, GTF partnered with UN Women to help advance the Beijing +20 platform and create conversations on Women's Rights in the MENA region.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.exactrelease.org/global-thinkers-action-for-ge-link-804764.html |title= Global Thinkers: Action for Gender Equality in the MENA region |access-date= 20 June 2015 |archive-date= 4 March 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160304065212/http://www.exactrelease.org/global-thinkers-action-for-ge-link-804764.html |url-status= dead }}</ref>
==Funding sources and membership== GTF is funded by sponsors from the private sector, grants, donations and through annual memberships.{{citation needed|date=February 2023}}
==Advisory board== The GTF Advisory Board steers the overall strategy, direction and effectiveness of the organization. Notable members of the GTF Boards include: Princess Sumaya bint El Hassan, Saskia Sassen, Muna AbuSulayman, Salim Amin, Queen Sylvia of Buganda, Roya Mahboob, Victoria A. Budson, Marc Ventresca, Hakan Altinay, Lucian Hudson, Richard Sambrook, Dirk Brossé, Ameera A. Binkaram<ref>{{cite web |title= Global Thinkers Forum selects Ameera BinKaram to serve on its Board of Advisors |url= https://www.wam.ae/en/news/emirates/1395274796750.html |access-date= 18 June 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150115093751/http://www.wam.ae/en/news/emirates/1395274796750.html# |archive-date= 15 January 2015 |url-status= dead |df= dmy-all }}</ref>
==GTF Awards for Excellence== In 2012, GTF inaugurated its honorary Awards for Excellence.{{citation needed|date=March 2023}} Among GTF Award Honourees are: Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi,<ref>{{cite web|title= H.E. Sheikha Lubna Khalid Al Qasimi - GTF 2014 Award for Excellence in Global Thinking | url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XoU56-PDggo| access-date=18 June 2015|publisher=YouTube}}</ref> Margery Kraus CEO APCO,<ref>{{cite web|title= Margery Kraus: Hall of Fame 2014 | url= http://www.prweek.com/article/1309715/margery-kraus-hall-fame-2014|date=2 September 2014|website=PRWeek|access-date=24 June 2015}}</ref> Princess Rym al-Ali,<ref>{{cite web|title= HRH Princess Rym Ali of Jordan GTF 2012 Excellence in Media Award| url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-6TsTKYW_E| access-date=24 June 2015|publisher=YouTube}}</ref> Marianna Vardinoyannis, Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, Ibrahim Abouleish Founder of SEKEM,<ref>{{cite web|title= Dr Ibrahim Abouleish- Honoree GTF 2013 Award for Excellence in Positive Change | url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krXk2V97AVE|publisher=YouTube| access-date=18 June 2015}}</ref> Shahira Amin, Tu Weiming, Maisah Sobaihi,<ref>{{cite web|title= Play explores the real lives of Saudi women| url= http://www.arabnews.com/news/722806|date=25 March 2015|first=Afshan |last=Aziz|access-date=27 June 2015}}</ref> Haifa Fahoum Al Kaylani, Muna Abu Sulayman<ref>{{cite web|title=Global Thinkers Forum 2014 awards 15 Arab women as changemakers and leaders |url=http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentid=20141201226089 |access-date=16 June 2015 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150719092038/http://www.saudigazette.com.sa/index.cfm?method=home.regcon&contentid=20141201226089 |archivedate=19 July 2015 }}</ref>
==Notable strategic partners== Among Global Thinkers Forum's strategic partners are: UN Women, King Abdullah II Fund for Development, Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs, Anna Lindh Foundation, Solidarity Now,<ref>See https://www.facebook.com/SolidarityNow</ref> Open University, ALBA Business School. {{citation needed|date=February 2023}}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==Bibliography== * By Dr Reginald Watts, Dr Roger Hayes (2015). ''Reframing the Leadership Landscape: Creating a Culture of Collaboration''. Gower Publishing Ltd (London, UK). {{ISBN|9781472458704}}
==External links== * [https://www.globalthinkersforum.org/ Official website]
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Category:Organizations established in 2012 Category:Non-profit organisations based in London Category:2012 establishments in the United Kingdom