Etsy's Handmade Blog
Etsy & the World Economic Forum
Story by Rokali, Vanessa, weirdwolf
Published on December 4, 2008 in Craftivism

The World Economic Forum nominated Etsy as one of their 2009 Technology Pioneers.  Etsy's founder Rob Kalin will be traveling to Davos, Switzerland to represent our community and to voice Etsy's mission at the January meeting.

About the World Economic Forum:

"The World Economic Forum is an independent, international organization incorporated as a Swiss not-for-profit foundation. We are striving towards a world-class corporate governance system where values are as important a basis as rules. Our motto is ‘entrepreneurship in the global public interest’. We believe that economic progress without social development is not sustainable, while social development without economic progress is not feasible.

Our vision for the World Economic Forum is threefold. It aims to be: the foremost organization which builds and energizes leading global communities; the creative force shaping global, regional and industry strategies; the catalyst of choice for its communities when undertaking global initiatives to improve the state the world."

We are very excited to have the chance to talk to world leaders about independent entrepreneurship and how the internet can have a supporting role. In the run-up to the meeting, the WEF invited each nominee to answer the same questions about their businesses and the roles they play in socially conscious economic development. We wanted to share Rob's video message with the community here, as we feel strongly that Etsy's vision remain true to the handmade movement during these economic times, and especially during the holiday shopping season. You can see more 2009 Technology Pioneers' videos here.

Thank you to our community for making this all happen!

Tags business, CRAFTIVISM, Davos, economics, Rob Kalin, Switzerland, World Economic Forum
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78 comments     Login to add your own!

Dec. 4, 2008 at 3:41 p.m. KathrynRiechert

Have fun in Switzerland!

Dec. 4, 2008 at 3:41 p.m. humblebea

Very cool! Congrats and have a fun trip!

Dec. 4, 2008 at 3:51 p.m. chakrapennywhistle

Awesome :)

Dec. 4, 2008 at 3:52 p.m. iforgot2remember

Thankyou Rob Kalin!

Dec. 4, 2008 at 3:53 p.m. papapots

Very cool!

I have to say that scrolling through that video list is pretty funny. "Guy in a suit.. Guy with a sports coat.. Guy at a desk...um, Guy with an... octopus?" LOL

Dec. 4, 2008 at 3:54 p.m. decklededgebindery

What a wonderful recognition of everyone's hard work. Congratulations Etsy!

Dec. 4, 2008 at 3:55 p.m. NicoAndMooMoo

Important tip: when will have the cheese fondue drink wine, do not drink water for any reason... or you the cheese will make a monolith in your stomach! ;-P

Dec. 4, 2008 at 3:59 p.m. glamasaurus

^I drink water with fondue all the time. My stomach is fine.

Dec. 4, 2008 at 4:01 p.m. TwinDreamCreations

That's exciting!!!!

Dec. 4, 2008 at 4:18 p.m. Rokali

I'm looking forward to everyone thinking I'm a protester that somehow got inside.

Dec. 4, 2008 at 4:18 p.m. iragrant

That's a serious business, well done!
And don't forget to stop over in Neuchatel, only five hours by train from Davos!:))))

Dec. 4, 2008 at 4:24 p.m. dogties

Woot!
Go Etsy, Go!

Dec. 4, 2008 at 4:26 p.m. yaelfran

wowwwww!!!!!
CONGRATS!!!!!!
You deserve it so much!!!!!!

Dec. 4, 2008 at 4:26 p.m. Vanessa

Rob, you're gonna have to bring that octopus with you.

Dec. 4, 2008 at 4:34 p.m. weirdwolf

And tons of Etsy stickers!!

Dec. 4, 2008 at 4:36 p.m. lapomme

This is enormous! Congratulations!

Dec. 4, 2008 at 4:38 p.m. sunriselodgefiberstu

Thank you for making our dreams possible;) Keep up the outrageously awesome work;)!!!!!

Dec. 4, 2008 at 4:39 p.m. laurabrownart

woot woo! so exciting!

Dec. 4, 2008 at 4:41 p.m. RaeGun

wow that is so exciting!

Dec. 4, 2008 at 4:42 p.m. undertheroot

Wow! I had no idea...
Even more beautiful story than I imagined!

Dec. 4, 2008 at 4:42 p.m. Jealousydesign

That is awesome!Congrats!

Dec. 4, 2008 at 4:53 p.m. AchAchLiebling

That's very cool!

Dec. 4, 2008 at 4:55 p.m. siiri

That's Fantastic! Many congrats!

Dec. 4, 2008 at 5:02 p.m. enhabiten

awesome awesome video. very succinct and compelling. gives an artist like me lots of hope. corny...but etsy has changed my life and also my way of thinking..meaning i feel like i can do so much more now and succeed in ways i didn't think i could before with this global marketplace and democratic internet technology. congratulations Rob and all at etsy.

Dec. 4, 2008 at 5:09 p.m. nkalexander

Yea!!! Yea, for local economies- Yea, for small business with a global network- Yea, for creative minds...creating a revolution. VIVA LA CRAFTOLUTION!

Dec. 4, 2008 at 5:10 p.m. ClaudiaLord

Very impressive!

Dec. 4, 2008 at 5:17 p.m. tangerinetreehouse

YAY! Congrats to Etsy. What a huge honor. And opportunity to show the world a different model.

Dec. 4, 2008 at 5:22 p.m. PressedPenny

That is truly fantastic. Switzerland is beautiful! And you totally deserve to take a trip there!

Thanks and keep up the good work!

Dec. 4, 2008 at 5:30 p.m. noodleandlou

WOW!! yahooo for Etsy!!!

Dec. 4, 2008 at 5:40 p.m. RonH

Super Rob,

The worlds economy need the shock of knowing that there is something more than the mass produced stuff we see at the Mall (and later at the landfill). go get 'em. Bring us back some chocolate.

Dec. 4, 2008 at 5:42 p.m. westcorinthstudio

Switzerland in January...brrr...don't forget your hat and mittens!

Congratulations on the nomination; you really deserve it!

Dec. 4, 2008 at 5:51 p.m. hellome

Wow, that is pretty impressive, to say the least. Nice to hear some good news!

Dec. 4, 2008 at 6:22 p.m. ribbonwands

Fantastic! I love the vision of a global "handmade" market where we can all see these amazing things we never thought would exist. Inspirational stuff indeed!

Dec. 4, 2008 at 6:26 p.m. MissBlackPepper

That's neat interesting to read what other companies got picked.

Biotechnology firms, semiconductor companies, lighting manufacturers - Etsy - food industry, recycling - they've certainly covered some bases there!

Dec. 4, 2008 at 6:36 p.m. flyingzoo

Fantastic! Congrats!!!

Dec. 4, 2008 at 6:39 p.m. metzypants

Hurray!

Dec. 4, 2008 at 6:49 p.m. yummyink

C O N G R A T U L A T I O N S!

The slogans "Art = Capital" or "Creativity = Capital," which Beuys often used in his artworks, could be understood as shorthand notations of his ideas, and suggest that creativity and art are the new currency for the transformation of society that he envisioned. The multiple La rivoluzione siamo Noi (1972), "We are the revolution," recalls Beuys' proclamation that "Art is the only revolutionary force." In this work, the artist seems to stride boldly into the future, urging us to accompany him on his way to the revolution. I thing ETSY is on the right path! Let's do it!

Dec. 4, 2008 at 7:44 p.m. BluCille

Love robots!

Dec. 4, 2008 at 9:10 p.m. asundrynotion

Big time!

Dec. 4, 2008 at 9:24 p.m. deelind

Congratulations on the nomination- You totally deserve it! What an incredible article, amazingly inspirational video. You've changed the world for so many here.
Have a great trip Rob.

Dec. 4, 2008 at 10:56 p.m. risabeads

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Thanks for Etsy:)

Dec. 5, 2008 at 12:09 a.m. Lambert

Wow, that's fantastic!

Dec. 5, 2008 at 12:10 a.m. thelittlereddoor

this is awesome sauce :)

Dec. 5, 2008 at 12:12 a.m. StrongBeads

Great "it is just getting started" but it is soooo happening and positive and so ON!!!!!!!

THANXS for creating!!!!!

Dec. 5, 2008 at 12:16 a.m. jessiemccann

That is awesome!

Dec. 5, 2008 at 12:43 a.m. nicole6697

Yeah Rob! So totally my hero - go get them!

Dec. 5, 2008 at 1:23 a.m. alfakosdesigns

GO etsy Go!

Dec. 5, 2008 at 2:06 a.m. popettes

Represent us!

Dec. 5, 2008 at 3:20 a.m. Studio618

How cool! Thanks for representing us.

Dec. 5, 2008 at 3:34 a.m. Angelicgems

I might be falling in love with etsy again :) Terrific news!

Dec. 5, 2008 at 4:26 a.m. BluCille

I always wanted to go to Switzerland! Some day....
Check out my shop: free shipping with the purchase of any two or more items, no limit.

Dec. 5, 2008 at 6:12 a.m. Sinta

Awesome ^_^ Handmade is finally getting recognition it deserves.

Dec. 5, 2008 at 6:31 a.m. nanouke

Wonderful news! You go get them Rob!
And...
"VIVA LA CRAFTOLUTION!" lol :)

Dec. 5, 2008 at 9:19 a.m. mydeepbluec

Very Cool ! You Go Boy !

Dec. 5, 2008 at 9:21 a.m. beautifulbridget

I want that monster pillow!

Dec. 5, 2008 at 9:48 a.m. BibBon

I love buying from ETSY and I love how global it is. Seriously! I get Gift Tags from the middle east, linen from Ireland, fabric from South Korea etc. And I love meeting and doing business with my local Etsians too. I just love love love it. Thanks for everything!

Dec. 5, 2008 at 10:22 a.m. cherryvalentino

what an accomplishment!

Dec. 5, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. rosybird

Amazing, so very amazing that this entire community has grown and thrived so quickly. Thank you!!!!

Dec. 5, 2008 at 1:12 p.m. doodlebugsfunfabrics

WooHoo, this is great, Congratulations!

Dec. 5, 2008 at 1:22 p.m. yummyandcompany

great video, great article and great accomlishments...u guys are rad!

Dec. 5, 2008 at 1:45 p.m. CutieDynamite

Fantastic!

Dec. 5, 2008 at 1:52 p.m. birdsandswings

fantastic!!

a big hug to etsy!

Dec. 5, 2008 at 1:53 p.m. birdsandswings

" Rokali

I'm looking forward to everyone thinking I'm a protester that somehow got inside"

:))))))

Dec. 5, 2008 at 2:17 p.m. foxaz

One of those gigantic cowls might help keep you warm!

Dec. 5, 2008 at 2:28 p.m. Rokali

Thanks for all the kind comments everyone, I'll make sure to send some dispatch news reports to the Storque while I'm there.

Dec. 5, 2008 at 2:42 p.m. mydesertstudio

Great news for Etsy, worldwide!

Dec. 5, 2008 at 2:54 p.m. mandinka

I appreciated the idea you expressed that while the economy has become so globalized, with Etsy it has become more intimate as well, with people interacting one on one, maker to buyer.

Dec. 5, 2008 at 4:37 p.m. ArtoftheMoment

Etsy is wonderful!!!!

Dec. 5, 2008 at 9:30 p.m. theoleanderblack

Rob, you rock

Dec. 5, 2008 at 9:57 p.m. clevergirl

I think they have 1/2 price tickets for that 8 limbed bit of fabulous!

Oh and congrats Etsy and Rob!
Woooooooooooohoooooooooooooooooo!

Dec. 6, 2008 at 3:43 p.m. WinchesterLambourne

Congrats Rob! Have a great time. :)

Dec. 6, 2008 at 11:02 p.m. steve77

I think you should reject the award and use any time you have in public to denounce the World Economic Forum as a PR firm for the very neoliberalism that has destroyed countless lives all over the world. You shouldn't let Etsy be used as happy face sticker placed on the ugly face of global capitalism.

Dec. 7, 2008 at 6:09 p.m. LaCometaLab

gREAT!!! Viva the d-i-y ethics!

Dec. 8, 2008 at 4:42 a.m. Art2ArtColorado

Bravo and Congrats!
Wishing you the best on your trip!

Dec. 8, 2008 at 10:16 p.m. ForMathilda

i'm actually wearing my overalls right now. Weeeeeeeee, Etsy!

Jan. 7, 2009 at 12:34 a.m. wearthou

Congrats to your outstanding accomplishment!!!

Jan. 12, 2009 at 8:25 p.m. audreys

Yay Etsy!!! Power to all crafty, creative, & inspiring people!

June 4, 2009 at 9:12 a.m. bluecrea

I looooooooove Etsy, thanks for giving us such a "wonderful world", making hope of changing things in world economy.

Don't ever loose your faith!

What a good thing to see very young people having aaaaahsome ideas!

Greatings from Switzerland

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