The Skoll World Forum is going virtual again this year on April 13-15. The program is a mix of plenaries, sessions, networking activities, and more. Our theme “Closing the Distance” examines local and global divides as we work together to build bridges. Together, we’ll explore ways to close the distance between the world’s toughest challenges and the innovative solutions that aim to build a better future for all.
Plenary speakers include Stacey Abrams, Mark Ruffalo, and Ellen Johnson Sirleaf – the rest of the stellar line up can be found here. For those interested in particular issues, we’ve put together this list of session highlights groups by issue area.
Update (4/20): Where possible, video recordings from the sessions and plenaries are available directly on each session/plenary page, as well as in the content archive, available here.
Debate: Can Capitalism Truly Be Inclusive? hosted by Acumen
April 13, 2021 at 7:30PM GMT
Acumen & EY debate motion: There is no such thing as “inclusive capitalism”; Capitalism inherently intensifies inequity and exploitation
A Future That Works: Insights from Africa’s Innovators by Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator
April 14, 2021 at 1:30 PM GMT
By 2035, Africa will have the world’s largest workforce. The continent has promising solutions for the future of work—for the whole world
Reparative Capital for Marginalized Communities hosted by Common Future
April 14, 2021 at 6:30 PM GMT
Shifting capital means shifting power. Learn how community leaders are innovating to build resilience in marginalized communities
Shifting Power: Transition to an Inclusive Economic System hosted by Skoll Foundation
April 14, 2021 at 8:00 PM GMT
To shift toward an economic system that serves all stakeholders, how can we shift power and wealth to those the system has marginalized?
Community-Based Solutions for Livelihoods and Conservation hosted by WWF
April 15, 2021 at 4:30PM GMT
Join us to explore how social enterprises in Mexico spearhead innovative projects that procure livelihoods and ensure nature’s conservation
Women Leaders for Climate Justice: Shaping Solutions hosted by Pat Mitchell
April 13, 2021 at 5:30PM GMT
The effects of the climate crisis are shaped by pervasive and entrenched inequalities. As usual, women are leading in climate justice.
Time is Running Out: Learn from Earth’s Guardians hosted by Nia Tero
April 13, 2021 at 10:30PM GMT
Hear from and interact with Indigenous leaders guarding some of the planet’s most critical natural places.
Harnessing Capital Markets for Sustainable Impact hosted by Capricorn Investment Group
April 13, 2021 at 7:30PM GMT
We are witnessing rapid innovation in impact investments, led by entrepreneurial teams who are seeking to harness the capital markets to effect change at scale.
Frugal Innovation & Climate Change: A North-South Interface hosted by Future Africa
April 14, 2021 at 2:00PM GMT
A Global North-South knowledge exchange on frugal technology for the benefit of the climate.
GOTAS: Los Latidos de la Jungle / The Heartbeats of the Jungle hosted by Gotas
April 14, 2021 at 4:30PM GMT
From Venezuela, join artist Liana Malva and her team to explore the jungle, discuss the threats faced and the actions needed to protect it.
Healthcare Decarbonization, Resilience, Equity: A Road Map hosted by Health Care Without Harm
April 14, 2021 at 4:00PM GMT
Health and climate leaders from around the world debate how health sector can chart a course to zero emissions and health equity.
Women are Key to Solving the Water and Climate Crisis hosted by WaterEquity
April 14, 2021 at 9:00PM GMT
Despite the critical role women play in driving climate and water solutions, they remain largely underfunded and underrepresented. Why?
Frontlines of the Climate Crisis: Fossil Fuel Resistance hosted by EarthRights International
April 15, 2021 at 1:30PM GMT
Amazon and Mekong communities resisting fossil fuel projects will discuss how global allies can support their struggles to defend the earth.
Climate for the People hosted by Doc Society
April 15, 2021 at 3:00PM GMT
Climate Action requires us to reach and engage the entire population to create not just a consensus but to make sure all voices are heard – that’s climate justice. This panel presents the best social science from US, UK, France and Germany and hears from the people who are framing Green New Deals for US and UK and must act on it.
Against Forgetting: Historical Memory & Just Reconciliation hosted by Skoll Foundation
April 13, 2021 at 9:00PM GMT
Preserving historical memory and truth to address collective trauma and engage in processes of transitional justice and transformation.
Older & Younger in Action: Collaboration for Racial Justice hosted by Encore.org
April 13, 2021 at 11:00PM GMT
In a multigenerational, multiracial society, how can older and younger overcome tensions to fight side-by-side for a more just future.
Building Indigenous Power to Shape and Create our Future hosted by IllumiNative
April 14, 2021 at 8:30PM GMT
Native leaders who implemented the largest survey and power building project ever conducted in U.S. Indian Country share actionable insights.
No Gender Justice Without Racial Justice: Ending the Abuse-to-Prison Pipeline hosted by Rights4Girls
April 14, 2021 at 10:00PM GMT
Gender violence is a matter of both gender & racial justice, as girls and women of color are often criminalized for their victimization.
Criminalization of Poverty: Stories of (In)justice From the Field hosted by International Bridges to Justice
April 15, 2021 at 1:00PM GMT
Brainstorm and craft solutions with global justice makers as they share what inspired them to fight inequities in their legal systems.
How Radical Collaboration is Beating Back COVID-19 hosted by Community Health Impact Coalition
April 13, 2021 at 5:30PM GMT
Flip the script: learn 5 lessons of radical collaboration that are helping to end the COVID-19 crisis and will help prevent the next one.
Using the COVID Crisis to Build a More Just Medicine System hosted by Skoll Foundation
April 14, 2021 at 3:00PM GMT
COVID has shown the divide in vaccine access. Activists and an intergovernmental expert discuss a more equitable global medicine system.
Community Leaders on the Global Frontlines of COVID-19 hosted by The Aspen Institute – Aspen Global Innovators Group
April 14, 2021 at 4:30PM GMT
Those proximate to the communities they serve have insights others can’t. Join community leaders to address the inequities exposed by COVID.
Supporting Global Vaccine Equity hosted by Project ECHO
April 14, 2021 at 7:00PM GMT
Explore solutions to support the equitable distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine and improve health equity globally.
Investing in Innovation: Year of the Health and Care Worker hosted by Clinton Health Access Initiative
April 15, 2021 at 2:15PM GMT
Health ministers and donors discuss catalytic investments in health systems and innovation to improve worker availability and performance.
Are YOU Ready to Help Prevent the Next Pandemic? Hosted by Ending Pandemics
April 15, 2021 at 3:30PM GMT
Meet the innovators who directly engage communities to find and respond to outbreaks faster in hotspots for emerging diseases.
Closing the Gap Between Fact & Fake: Disinformation Solutions hosted by Skoll Foundation
April 13, 2021 at 5:30PM GMT
When a lie can spread faster than the truth, how do we close the gap between fact and fake?
Is Anybody Here? Mobilizing Networks for Social Change hosted by Movilizatorio
April 13, 2021 at 5:30PM GMT
Social issues and civic technology create and nurture networks of collaboration and mobilization for social change to empower citizens.
Race, Masculinity, Politics & America’s Angry White Men hosted by Promundo
April 13, 2021 at 9:00PM GMT
How can accountability, reconciliation, and shared interests help advance equity in the US? What strategies work to call angry white men in?
Gender, Race and Systems in American Politics hosted by Vote Run Lead
April 14, 2021 at 11:30PM GMT
The workshop will center a new gendered analysis around racial justice and systemic reforms as the solution to today’s challenges & rebuild trust with leaders on the frontlines.
Innovating Public Service: Citizen-Government Co-Creation in Asia hosted by Good Lab Foundation Limited (“Good Lab”)
April 14, 2021 at 1:30PM GMT
Changemakers in Asia are innovating to foster citizens’ engagement in the design of public services and problem-solving.
COLLECTIVE: Journalism Driving Institutional Accountability hosted by Participant – Collective Screening Panel
April 15, 2021 at 2:30PM GMT
Join the COLLECTIVE filmmaker and journalists to explore the role of press in a post-truth world. Film screening details in the Hub!
Countering the Infodemic: Fighting Fake News During COVID-19 hosted by Accountability Lab
April 15, 2021 at 12:00PM GMT
How can we fight fake news and partner with governments to counter the COVID-19 infodemic and rebuild trust in our societies?
