The United Nations Foundation announced today the recipients of its annual Global Leadership Awards, which recognize extraordinary individuals and organizations whose work embodies the values and purposes of the UN: to create a safer, healthier, and fairer world for everyone, everywhere.
The 2022 awardees are: Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados and Co-Chair of the Sustainable Development Goals Advocates Group; Forest Whitaker, Founder and CEO of the Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative and SDG Advocate; Mia Kami, artist, storyteller, and climate justice activist; the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA); and Peace on Purpose lululemon.
“As we gather this year amid a series of complex global crises, I’m reminded of an unassailable truth: our progress is a choice,” said Elizabeth Cousens, President and CEO of the UN Foundation.
“The leaders, changemakers, and organizations we are recognizing tonight are choosing progress every day, and reminding us that there is power in cooperation. It is our tremendous honor to recognize them tonight and celebrate their tireless efforts toward building a better and fairer world for all.”
The Awards were presented at We the Peoples, a signature event named for the inspiring opening words of the UN Charter and held at Gotham Hall in New York City. As the UN Foundation marks its 25th Anniversary this year, We the Peoples also celebrated the extraordinary vision and generosity of Founder and Chairman Ted Turner, who established the Foundation to provide a pathway for partners to support the United Nations’ lifesaving work and vital mission.
The 2022 honorees were recognized for wide-ranging work to drive progress across the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as we approach the halfway point to their 2030 deadline, raise climate ambition, and reimagine multilateral cooperation to deliver on the promise of the UN Charter and SDGs for everyone, everywhere.
Champion for Global Change
Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados and Co-Chair of the Sustainable Development Goals Advocates GroupIn recognition of her exemplary leadership in fighting for a just, equitable, and sustainable world, Prime Minister Mia Mottley was presented with the 2022 Champion for Global Change award by Elizabeth Cousens, UN Foundation President and CEO.
SDG Vanguard Awards
Forest Whitaker, Founder & CEO of Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative and SDG AdvocateIn recognition of the Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative’s work helping some 1.3 million children – including former child soldiers – cope with trauma and learn to thrive in their communities, Mr. Forest Whitaker received the SDG Vanguard Award. The Award was presented by Hans Vestberg, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Verizon and UN Foundation Board member, to Khadija Mayman, Youth Peacemaker for the Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative, who accepted the Award on behalf of Mr. Whitaker.
Mia Kami, Artist, Storyteller, and Climate Justice ActivistIn recognition of her work bridging art and action to protect the world’s oceans, Mia Kami was presented with the SDG Vanguard Award by the President of the UN General Assembly, Csaba K?r?si. Mia is a singer-songwriter from Fiji who channels her passion for climate action, Indigenous rights, and gender equality through a unique blend of musical performance and storytelling.
See also
In addition to the exceptional individuals recognized with the Global Champion for Change and SDG Vanguard Awards, each year the UN Foundation also honors the compassion, courage, and determination of UN frontline workers with the UN Heroes Award.
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)In recognition of the courage demonstrated by UNFPA on the frontlines of the fight for sexual and reproductive health and rights worldwide, the organization received the 2022 UN Heroes Award. Dr. Natalia Kanem, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director of UNFPA, accepted the Award, which was presented by Mark Malloch-Brown, President of Open Society Foundations and UN Foundation Board member.
This year, the inaugural Goal 17 Innovation in Partnership Award was presented to recognize creative, cross-sector partnerships that are driving progress forward.
Peace on PurposeIn recognition of the program’s support to UN development and humanitarian workers, the Award was presented to Peace on Purpose