Belfast beats major rivals to land top conference

BELFAST has fought off Europe’s capital — among other cities — to host a major international conference of ‘global shapers’.

Shape Europe, which is organised by the World Economic Forum, is due to be held here next year, Belfast beating Brussels, Amsterdam and Istanbul to host the event.

It will see around 300 international and 500 local delegates descending on the city.

It follows a successful bid by the Belfast Global Shapers team, led by Kain Craigs.

Earlier this year, the Belfast Global Shapers won the opportunity to live stream a discussion into the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

Last year’s Shape Europe event was held in Milan, Italy.

The fifth staging of the threeday annual event will be in late August 2018, with the theme ‘Views from the Fault Line’, “designed to underline the unique challenges and opportunities of the Brexit era for Belfast”.

“The event will shine a light on the conflict resolution skills available to build a better Belfast,” a statement says.

The World Economic Forum, founded in Geneva in 1971, is a top think-tank and advocate for sustainable economic growth.

Belfast was chosen to host next year’s Shape Europe event “for having delivered the best international session”.