Cannes to launch Sustainable Development Goals Lion at 2018 Festival
The 17 global SDGs represent a collective ambition to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. The new award will recognise the world’s finest creative minds for work in which they champion the SDGs. The Sustainable Development Goals Lion will reinforce existing collaboration with the advertising community through Common Ground.
Fees donated
The Sustainable Development Goals Lion will drive awareness of the SDGs and seek to harness the power of the global creative industry to accelerate progress towards their achievement by 2030. All entry fees generated by the Sustainable Development Goals Lion will be donated to projects that advance the goals, based on consultation with potential beneficiaries such as the UN, UN agencies and NGOs.
Terry Savage, chairman, Cannes Lions, said, “At Cannes Lions we know that creativity can be a positive force for good and the combined power of the communications industry is formidable. Major players have been involved with the UN global goals initiative for some time and we have been proud to be able to give their work a platform.
“Brands and other organisations are now increasingly leading action that promotes good in the world and initiatives that positively impact and enhance the lives of the global community. This award will celebrate and recognise those doing exactly that.”
Duncan Painter, CEO Ascential, added, “In 2016, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stood on stage at Cannes Lions and asked the world’s greatest creatives to come together to create the biggest campaign ever for humanity. This partnership is the next important step in this crucial journey for humanity and the planet.”
The UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, who spoke at the Cannes Lions Festival in June 2017 said, “The UN supports the initiative and welcomes the new SDG Lion award. The Sustainable Development Goals outline a universal, integrated and transformative vision for a better world. A category of awards of such relevance will help activate the creative community to help achieve the SDGs through their creative resources and power of communication.”
Expert, industry input
Claudia Romo Edelman, global special adviser for Unicef and founder/host of the Global Goals podcast distributed by CBS has been instrumental in developing this initiative, and will serve as an official advisor to the SDG Lion Award.
The Sustainable Development Goals Lion will be developed with input from the UN and global experts ahead of entries opening in January 2018. A dedicated, multi-disciplined jury from relevant sectors and specialisations with experience both in the industry and on global issues will judge an international spread of creative work across the 17 SDG categories at Cannes Lions next year.
The next edition of the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity takes place in June 2018.
