Session Formats

• Source: weforum.org
• [14:55 September 03 2009]
• Comments

The programme features a variety of session types designed to share insights, map issues and identify solutions among peers and important stakeholders.

Plenary-type sessions are designed to provide strategic insight and raise global awareness on important trends and themes. The aim is to expand the dialogue to engage all participants. Therefore, there are no prepared remarks, with most of the session conducted in a Q&A format. The sessions are open to the reporting press and are broadcast on the Internet.

Interactive and update sessions are not open to the reporting press, unless stated otherwise. No prepared remarks, only brief opening comments, are the norm. Most sessions are conducted in a Q&A format led by the moderator. The aim is to expand the discussion to all participants in the room.

Briefing sessions are designed to provide in-depth understanding of new or complex issues in various domains. Discussion leaders are not only considered experts on the topic, but are also able to explain key concepts to a lay audience.

Workshop sessions are designed to promote greater interaction between discussion leaders and participants on a compelling challenge or complex issue. They are facilitated group discussions that focus on providing structured interventions from discussion leaders, capturing direct feedback from participants and building consensus on priorities and solutions.

WorkSpace sessions are designed to provide the highest level of interaction and collaboration among participants. A special environment is created to encourage collaborative and creative solutions to compelling and often complex issues. A facilitator, together with a team of knowledge workers, guides participants through a variety of design-oriented tasks. The knowledge shared and solutions created are then summarized in a brief report. The report and related creative output are posted on a special website for future use.

The IdeasLab is a highly engaging session format where ideas, innovations, trends and concepts are presented using a creative presentation format (pecha kucha). Facilitated group discussions explore the challenges and opportunities that arise from implementing the ideas presented.

Networking lunches provide an opportunity for the various communities of the World Economic Forum to meet in an informal setting. Participants are encouraged to contact each other in advance, and therefore are asked to provide contact details before the meeting. The information is made available on the private area of the website for registered participants at http://www.weforum.org/newchampionsprivate.