World Economic Forum 2024 Awards Diébédo Francis Kéré, Michelle Yeoh and Nile Rodgers
At the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos this year, the 30th Crystal Award goes to three exceptional global artists.
The 30th Annual Crystal Awardees
The winners of the 30th Annual Crystal Award are: world-renowned architect and 2022 Pritzker Prize recipient:
- Diébédo Francis Kéré; Ambassador for the United Nations Development Program (UNDP),
- Advocate for wildlife conservation and environmental protection and Oscar-winning actor Michelle Yeoh; and
- Grammy Award winning guitarist, composer, and humanitarian Nile Rodgers.
Michelle Yeoh
For over four decades, Michelle Yeoh has built an iconic career that’s made her one of the most prominent Asian actors in Hollywood.
In 2023, Yeoh made history by becoming the first woman of Asian descent to win the Academy Award for Best Actress.
Michelle Yeoh has starred in over 60 films, including James Bond’s Tomorrow Never Dies, Oscar-winning Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, Memoirs of a Geisha, Sunshine, The Lady, Crazy Rich Asians, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, and sci-fi franchise TV series Star Trek: Discovery.
Through her works, she has challenged the traditional views of Asian women by creating very strong female roles.
“Our true identity as human beings lies not in our differences, but in our collective ability to embrace and include every individual, regardless of their background or beliefs. It is through this acceptance and unity that we uncover the essence of our shared humanity.”— Michelle Yeoh.
Raising awareness about wildlife conservation and climate change, she travelled to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in China. There she helped launch the Pandas for the Global Goals campaign in 2016.
Furthermore, Yeoh collaborated with National Geographic to produce the documentary Among the Great Apes with Michelle Yeoh. This further emphasizes the importance of responsible consumerism and ethical business practices.
Her recent appointment as a member of the International Olympic Committee in October 2023 has endowed her with the power to promote global understanding and goodwill through sports.
Nile Rodgers
Nile Rodgers recently received the 2024 Crystal Award for his extraordinary efforts to make the world a more peaceful, equal, and inclusive place through his iconic music.
Championing innovative youth voices to decision-making tables, Rodgers continues his commitment in fighting systemic racism, inequality, and injustice.
“My parents socialized me to care about people and give to others though we were ourselves financially poor. When music gave me the opportunity to reach hearts the world over, I realized I’d been given a priceless gift. When I give that gift to others, I get back more than the wealthiest person on earth.”— Nile Rodgers.
Nile’s activism began as a teen Black Panther in New York. He participated in Live Aid, We Are The World and the Concert for Ukraine.
After 9/11 Nile co-founded, We Are Family Foundation , promoting cultural diversity while empowering young people positively changing the world.
Through his music Nile is trying to make the world a more peaceful, equal, and inclusive place.
Diébédo Francis Kéré
Diébédo Francis Kéré receives the 2024 Crystal Award for his exemplary leadership. Its focus?
To provide the Gando community the means towards a socially, economically, and ecologically sustainable future. These plans are executed through projects on education, health, and the environment.
“I have witnessed the power of architecture as a tool for social transformation, from laying the bricks for a school building in my native Gando, to designing a new National Parliament for Benin. Regardless of wealth, we must be conscious of our environmental impact and strive to bring comfort and a sustainable future to all.” — Diébédo Francis Kéré.
The cultural leaders receiving the 2024 Crystal Award are bridge-builders. They connect us to each other, they help us reflect on the human condition, and they provide visions of the world that can cut through the limitations of short-term or linear thinking.
Source: World Economic Forum
[Cover image: Crystal Awards 2024 winners: Diébédo Francis Kéré (left), Michelle Yeoh (middle) and Nile Rodgers (right). Image by Tino Pohlmann/Yu Tsai/Jill Furmanovsky.]
