The World Economic Forum’s (WEF) 48th annual meeting is set to begin later in January. This year’s theme for the meeting is “Creating a Shared Future in a Fractured World.”
And this year for the 24th Annual Crystal Award, the organizers have decided to felicitate Hollywood actress Cate Blanchett, British musician Sir Elton John and Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan. For those unaware, 24th Annual Crystal Awards celebrate the achievements of outstanding artists who have shown exemplary commitment to improving the state of the world.
Shah Rukh Khan
The Bollywood superstar is the founder of a non-profit called Meer Foundation, which provides livelihood support to female victims of acid attacks and major injuries, along with medical treatment, legal aid, vocational training, and rehabilitation.
Said Shah Rukh Khan,
With victims of acid attacks, I have had the privilege to witness the unparalleled courage and compassion that women are capable of. I have seen the transformative strength of goodness and the healing power of gentleness.
He has also been responsible for the creation of specialized children’s hospital wards and has given support to childcare centers with free boarding for children undergoing treatment for cancer.
The WEF also pointed out that Shah Rukh Khan is one of Bollywood’s most prominent actors and has been at the forefront of the Indian film and television industry for over 30 years.
Cate Blanchett
This internationally acclaimed award-winning actor and director was the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Global Goodwill Ambassador in 2016. She was appointed in recognition of her commitment to refugees.
Blanchett has lent her voice and influence to raising awareness about the issue and has been actively fundraising for the UNHCR.
Said Cate Blanchett,
As a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador, my job is simple: to help connect people to the human stories of those forced to flee, and to state the case for all of us to stand with refugees.
She has met refugees in countries including Lebanon, Jordon and her home country Australia, and has been advocating increased solidarity and sharing of responsibility for the 65 million-plus displaced across the world. Cate Blanchett has also brought her creative skills to bear in sharpening focus on the individual human stories that lie behind the vast number.
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Sir Elton John
One of the world’s most successful solo music artists with a career spanning more than five decades, Sir Elton John is also the founder of Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF).
EJAF is a leading non-profit organization focusing on HIV/AIDS and has raised more than US $400 million to support hundreds of HIV/AID prevention, service and advocacy programmes around the globe.
Said Sir Elton John,
AIDS is the leading cause of death for women of childbearing age, yet the medicine and know-how exist to prevent this. If we want to give the next generation a better future, we could solve this problem. What it takes is our collective passion and compassion.
In 1998, Queen Elizabeth knighted him ‘Sir’ Elton John, Commander of the Order of the British Empire, for his services to music and charitable causes.
Previous awardees include Anne-Sophie Mutter, Forest Whitaker, Shakira, Leonardo DiCaprio, Ravi Shankar, Amjad Ali Khan, Mallika Sarabhai and Amitabh Bachchan.
The award ceremony will take place on Monday, January 22, 2018. It will serve as a marker of the intention of the Meeting and as a reminder to us all of our responsibility to act with respect, generosity and compassion.
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