For more than 20 years, the United Nations Foundation’s Global Leadership Awards have recognized the extraordinary contributions of individuals and organizations striving to further the work of the UN and advance its goal of a more peaceful, just, and sustainable world for everyone, everywhere.

Today, the Awards are presented at “We The Peoples,” a signature event named for the inspiring opening words of the UN Charter and honoring the profound vision of the UN’s founders: to save future generations from the scourge of war, reaffirm faith in human rights and equal rights, ensure justice and international law, and promote social progress and freedom.

About the Awards

Each award at “We The Peoples” is presented to an individual or organization demonstrating extraordinary leadership in an ever-changing world.

Our Champion of Global Change Award recognizes enlightened leadership in working towards a more prosperous and equitable world for us all. Previous honorees include Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Professor Muhammad Yunus, Her Majesty Queen Rania Al-Abdullah, His Highness the Aga Khan, U.S. Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, UN Secretaries-General Kofi Annan and Ban Ki-moon, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg, and Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie.

We also seek to honor the extraordinary compassion, courage, and determination of UN frontline workers with our UN Heroes Award. The Leadership for a Better World Award honors extraordinary leaders across sectors, whose work creates a more sustainable world. Finally, the SDG Vanguard Award recognizes leaders whose work and impact reflects the urgency of the SDG agenda and the imperative to leave no one behind.