The World Economic Forum (WEF) was established 30 years ago to bring together business, political and academic leaders from around the world. The WEF's purposes are to identify new economic, political, social and cultural trends and to shape strategies and actions for corporations and countries to integrate these changes and maximize their potentials. Most recently, however, the WEF has become synonymous with globalization.

This year's program themes reflect aspects of "taking responsibility for tough choices"

* Global Agenda

* Business

* Science and Technology

* Values, Arts and Culture

The WEF placed special emphasis on twelve "Tough Issues:

- China

- Climate Change

- Equitable Globalization

- Europe

- Global Economy

- Global Governance

- Islam

- Middle East

- Poverty

- United States Leadership

- Weapons of Mass Destruction

- World Trade

Special sessions include the topics "When Is the Economy Ethical" and Do Multinational Corporations Respect Human Rights?"

for more information on the World Economic Forum and the WEF 2004