11 March 2014 – The World Economic Forum named Ma Yansong, the founder of MAD Architects, a Young Global Leaders for the year of 2014. Young Global Leaders is bestowed each year by the World Economic Forum to recognize the most distinguished leaders under the age of 40, nominated from around the world. This year’s list includes 214 young leaders from 66 countries. Ma Yansong is the first Chinese architect for this honor.

World Economic Forum (WEF), also known as “Davos Forum”, selects from thousands of candidates the most distinctive and honors them “Young Global Leaders”. This honor represents professional accomplishments, commitment to society and the potential to contribute to shaping the future of the world through inspiring leadership. Young Global Leaders engage in initiatives that address specific challenges of public interest with the objective of shaping a better future.

Beijing-born architect Ma Yansong is recognized as an important voice in the new generation of architects. He is the first Chinese architect to win an overseas landmark-building project. He commits himself to exploring the future of architecture – by combining the city density, function, and the spirit of Shanshui, to reconnect the emotional link between human and nature, and to lead into a new era where the human spirit should be the centre of urban civilization. Since the Floating Island in 2002, Ma has been putting this great idea into a world-wide practice through a series of imaginative works, including Absolute Towers, Beijing 2050, Hutong Bubble 32, Ordos Museum, Fake Hills, etc. Meanwhile, he has been sharing with the public the cultural value of cities and architecture through exhibitions both in China and overseas, publications and art works.

To learn more about the Young Global Leaders selection and nomination process, click here: http://www.weforum.org/community/forum-young-global-leaders