Global Citizen host inaugural awards at the Royal Albert Hall

On Friday Night, Global Citizen held its first-ever awards evening at London’s iconic Royal Albert Hall, presented by John Legend. The international advocacy organisation, who are driven by the goal of ending world poverty by 2030, treated guests to performances from stars such as Stormzy, Jennifer Hudson, Raphael Saadiq, Sting and the host himself. Chris Martin, Jorja Smith and H.E.R. also performed as special guests. The event aimed to recognise some of the most dedicated high-profile activists and their efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. 

Richard Curtis was awarded the Global Citizen of the Year Prize, which honours an individual who has demonstrated exceptional and sustained impact towards the goal of ending extreme poverty. As one of the world’s most beloved filmmakers, Curtis has tirelessly fought for a fair and equitable world through his organisations Comic Relief, Sport Relief, Red Nose Day, and now Project Everyone, which is helping to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. 

Sting was awarded the Global Citizen Artist of the Year Prize, which honours a creative individual or group using their platform and their work to create change not only through conversation but meaningful impact. As an artist whose career has spanned four decades, Sting has continuously used his profile as a 17-time Grammy-award winner to champion an issue vital to our planet’s future – protecting the world’s rainforests and the Indigenous people living there.

Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations Amina J Mohammed received the Global Citizen World Leader Prize, which honours an individual in the political or advocacy space who has advocated for and implemented policy changes that have actionably improved the lives of those suffering the effects of poverty. She played an instrumental role at the United Nations to bring about the Sustainable Development Goals that have been agreed to by all world leaders.

Chobani founder and CEO Hamdi Ulukaya received the Global Citizen Business Leader Prize, honouring an individual in the business community who has combined business goals with positive human impact. In his leadership role, he became passionate about working conditions for his employees, and strengthening the communities where employees live and work, offering fully paid parental leave and fighting food insecurity in local schools. 

The award ceremony will air on Saturday 21^st December 2019, at 7 PM on Sky.

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