Our Global Citizen Festival on Saturday in New York’s legendary Central Park. Together, they made this signature event a powerful showcase for advancing awareness and raising critical funds to support important global initiatives. International music megastars and cultural ambassadors Shakira and Cardi B rocked the festival, luring in more than 60,000 attendees. These enthusiastic advocates united under a shared vision for social justice and sustainable development.
Beyond pure entertainment, the festival raised an amazing amount for local nonprofits. It surpassed its goals for initiatives focused on protecting the Amazon rainforest, enhancing energy access in Africa, and improving community education worldwide. State and non-profit organizations made tremendous commitments. Of that, the Inter-American Development Bank pledged $100 million to its Amazonia Forever sustainable development program. Energea, a new renewable energy investment platform, recently made an eye-popping $250 million pledge. This funding will be used towards the best projects for the next five years. The MetLife Foundation added $9 million to the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund.
Longtime Australian actor and advocate Hugh Jackman, who played host to the festival, drove home the theme of collective action. He remarked, “This may seem quite ambitious on the surface. I know for a fact that when we unite, we make noise that leads to real change. When you take action, governments and corporations listen, policies change, financial investments are made and progress happens.”
The garden was the perfect backdrop as the opening performance was by Elyanna, a rising Palestinian singer. Her work illuminated the fight for justice of millions of people across the globe. “So many countries, and so many people around the world are suffering. They don’t have their basic needs. That’s what we’re all here for,” Elyanna stated.
The annual gala was a celebration of art, activism, and intersectional movements. Liza Koshy and Bill Nye kept us rolling with a comedic short. They laughed as they described how the Amazon was renowned as the “lungs of the Earth.” At the same time, actress Kristin Bell and civil rights activist Danai Gurira spoke to the closing day’s theme of combating sexual violence in conflict zones across the world.
Nigerian singer Ayra Starr shared her personal experiences regarding energy access, stating, “No child should be left in the dark. They need light to work, study, practice. They need light to reach their dreams and watch their favorite TV shows. That’s why energy matters.” Her powerful story about growing up without electricity connected with everyone as she shared her experience of childhood adversity.
Colombian artist Camilo was on the main stage to call for a greater respect for nature. He called on everyone present to face up to their role in taking care of the Amazon rainforest. He stressed the importance of universal connection among global communities in combating climate change.
As Amina Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, echoed a message of shared responsibility in her remarks, each of us has a part to play. She urged attendees to reject complacency in the face of global challenges: “It needs your energy to refuse to accept when people say that’s just how it is, your vision that sees solutions where others see dead ends and your voice that cuts through the noise demanding for everyone to do better and not accepting the globalization of indifference.”
The festival featured a rich and colorful cross section of artists from every continent on the planet, with performances that ran the gamut of genres and cultural traditions. With powerful music and rousing speeches, Global Citizen Festival advocates and performers alike emphasized a shared belief that we can create a better world.
