2025 Laureate
- Hugh Evans
- Co-founder of Global Citizen, uniting the world’s citizens for a future without poverty
Hugh Evans is a world-renowned leader who co-founded Global Citizen in 2008, aiming to eliminate global poverty and promote sustainable development. By mobilizing over $43.6 billion in commitments, he has positively impacted the lives of 1.3 billion people worldwide. Through digital platforms and campaigns, he has pioneered a new era of citizen action for global change.
Through his organization Global Citizen, Hugh Evans has led transformative international campaigns addressing poverty and inequality while mobilizing global support. Key achievements include: Major Campaign Successes • Mandela 100 Campaign (2018): Raised $7.4 billion to provide healthcare and education for 122 million people across Africa. • COVID-19 Response: Launched the “Global Goal: Unite for Our Future” campaign, raising $7 billion for vaccine equity and medical supplies. • Global Citizen Festival: Combined music and citizen action to inspire participation and accelerate progress on poverty eradication. Currently, Global Citizen boasts 12 million members and has driven over 42.9 million actions, resulting in more than 30 global policy changes. Evans’ innovative leadership exemplifies the power of civic action in addressing global challenges such as poverty, inequality, and climate change.
$43.6 billion in Commitments, 1.3 billion Lives Transformed
Hugh Evans and Global Citizen: A Name Synonymous with Innovative Leadership in the Fight Against Poverty
Through Global Citizen, founded in 2008, Hugh Evans has pioneered groundbreaking campaigns addressing extreme poverty. Partnering with global financial institutions and corporations, he has mobilized $43.6 billion in commitments, benefiting over 1.3 billion people. These initiatives have improved healthcare access, educational opportunities, food security, and climate resilience worldwide.
In 2018, the Mandela 100 Campaign in Johannesburg raised $7.4 billion to provide healthcare and education for 122 million Africans. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Evans’ leadership led to the Global Goal: Unite for Our Future campaign, raising $ 7billion for vaccine equity and treatment distribution, contributing significantly to global health crisis management.
Transforming Policies Through the Actions of 12 Million Global Citizens
Driving Global Policy through Digital Platforms
Through Global Citizen, Hugh Evans has united over 12 million members in addressing global challenges such as poverty, inequality, and climate change. With over 42.9 million actions recorded, these efforts have brought about more than 30 global policy changes.
Notably, the 2018 Education for Global Partnership (GPE) campaign raised $2.3 billion, creating educational opportunities for over 700 million children. At international summits such as the G7, G20, and UN General Assembly, Evans has consistently advocated for financial and policy commitments to advance sustainable development goals (SDGs). For instance, the 2021 G7 Summit raised $8.7 billion for COVID-19 vaccine equity, enabling over 100 million vaccinations worldwide.
Global Citizen’s independent monitoring system ensures transparency and accountability, making it a success story of citizen-led policy transformation.
The synergy of music and action
Global Citizen Festival: Where music drives citizen engagement
Hugh Evans has revolutionized public participation through the Global Citizen Festival, which blends music with activism. Since its inception in 2012, the festival has featured world-class artists such as Beyoncé, Rihanna, and BTS, offering audiences an opportunity to engage in meaningful action beyond mere entertainment.
During the pandemic, the One World: Together at Home online festival, curated by Lady Gaga, raised $127 million across 175 countries to support healthcare workers and COVID-19 response efforts, showcasing the power of global solidarity.
Evans’ innovative approach has expanded civic engagement, catalyzing global support for large-scale problem-solving and inspiring collective action.
Hugh Evans
- Born
- March 1983
- Country
- Australia
- Reason for Award
- Hugh Evans has revolutionized the fight against poverty by mobilizing citizen action to drive sustainable change. His approach has demonstrated the transformative power of collective action, paving the way for a future free of poverty.