About the World Leaders Forum

Established in 2003 by Lee C. Bollinger, the World Leaders Forum is a year-round event series aimed to advance lively, uninhibited dialogue on the large economic, political, and social questions of our time.

The Forum's roster of past participants features many of heads of state, in addition to other global thought leaders from a broad spectrum of fields and all regions of the world.   A few of the many remarkable past participants are Presidents Bill Clinton, Vladimir Putin of Russia, Michelle Bachelet of Chile, Václav Klaus of the Czech Republic, and the Dalai Lama. 

World Leaders Forum events have garnered press coverage by news media organizations including the Associated Press, the BBC, and PBS, among others.  

Responses to the World Leaders Forum from the Columbia Community

"The World Leaders Forum has become a tradition at this institution that seems to have reinforced the identity of Columbia as a truly global university and, I believe, has made this school unique amongst others."
-Nirvikar Singh Jassal '11CC

"I think the World Leaders Forum is an outstanding platform for leaders to address the pressing issues before them in this globalized world and for the Columbia and New York communities to listen to and engage with these officials in a meaningful exchange."
-Merit Janow, Professor in the Practice of International Economic Law and International Affairs, School of International and Public Affairs, Columbia University and former member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Appellate Body