The 2024 edition of the summit, which is being hosted by Global Citizen, the preeminent global advocacy organization, will center on ideas for immediate action to realize a world in which everyone has access to food, energy, healthcare, and education; promote the flourishing of our planet by advocating for increased climate financing and the phase-out of fossil fuels; and work toward a future in which every individual and nation can prosper through economic development, financial access, innovation, and job creation. Longtime supporters of Global Citizen Anitta, Danai Gurira, Hugh Jackman, Dakota Johnson, and Michelle Yeoh are co-chairs of Global Citizen NOW.
Paul Kagame, the president of Rwanda; Mokgweetsi Masisi, the president of Botswana; Gaston Browne, the prime minister of Antigua and Barbuda; Philip Davis, the prime minister of the Bahamas; Stefan Löfven, the former prime minister of Sweden; and Erna Solberg, the former prime minister of Norway, are among the political figures co-chairing this year's summit.
A group of prominent figures from the private sector have agreed to serve as co-chairs: Fran Katsoudas, EVP and Chief People, Policy & Purpose Officer, Cisco; Tim Mapes, SVP and Chief Communications Officer, Delta Air Lines; Diego Scotti, EVP & General Manager, Consumer Group, Global Marketing & Communications, PayPal; Chris Stadler, Managing Partner, CVC Capital Partners; Leon Kalvaria, Vice Chair of Client and Banking, Citi; and Tshepo Mahloele, Founder & Chairman of Harith General Partners.
The president of the Rockefeller Foundation, Dr. Rajiv J. Shah, vice president of global programs at the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation, president of global policy and advocacy at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Gilbert F. Houngbo, former prime minister of Togo and director general of the International Labor Organization, Andrew Steer, president and CEO of the Bezos Earth Fund, and Volker Türk, high commissioner for human rights are among the foundation leaders and co-chairs of the policy. The co-chairs from the cultural industry are Jane Rosenthal, CEO and Founder of Tribeca Enterprises; Michele Anthony, EVP, Universal Musical Group; and Desiree Gruber, Founder and CEO, Full Picture.
Other attendees include First Lady of Brazil Janja Lula da Silva, CEO of Gavi, Dr. Sania Nishtar, CEO of TED, Helder Barbalho, Governor of Pará, Alain-Richard Donwahi, President, COP15, Dana Canedy, Managing Editor, The Guardian US, and Brian Tippens, SVP, Chief Social Impact Officer, Cisco.
Hugh Evans, co-founder and CEO of Global Citizen, stated, "The world is at a crossroads and we have a choice: we can take bold action to defeat poverty, defend the planet, and course correct toward a more equitable future, or we can watch the impoverished go hungry, suffer from natural disasters, and die from preventable diseases." "This year, if we have the guts to speak up and act now, we have the potential to make a huge impact."
"My goal is to raise the visibility of marginalized voices," declared Danai Gurira, a playwright, actor, and global citizen who is also a UN Women goodwill ambassador. "I am delighted to be a part of the Global Citizen NOW action summit this year, and I am looking forward to stimulating discussions that produce meaningful answers to urgent problems and tackle the extreme injustices that the African continent faces."
Supported by our partners Authentic Brands Group, Bridgewater Associates, Cisco, Citi, Delta Air Lines, P&G, and Verizon, Global Citizen NOW is held at Spring Studios in New York City. This May, Global Citizen NOW will make a dramatic comeback with a two-day event centered on transforming concepts into practical effects to alleviate extreme poverty immediately. Global leaders and grassroots activists from all walks of life come together at the summit to discuss vital changes that must be made in order to end poverty, demand equity, and protect the environment. Together, we must act now in order to rescue tomorrow. Millions of people will essentially be able to tune in, follow the conversations, and submit ideas in real time.
The Global Citizen Prize 2024 award ceremony, which honors five trailblazing advocates who have a significant global impact on their local communities in the areas of gender equity, civic space, food and nutrition, health and vaccines, and climate change, is part of the summit. Another highlight is the Cisco Youth Leadership Award recipient, a young person who is using technology innovation to positively impact the world. In April, the winners will be declared. Cisco and Citi are proud partners of the Global Citizen Prize 2024, supported by the Ford Foundation. Globalcitizen.org/now/nyc is where you may purchase a limited number of tickets to Global Citizen NOW. In the upcoming weeks, additional information will be released.