Ubongo is the proud recipient of this year’s MIP SDG Award, given in recognition of its progression toward inclusive and equitable quality education (SDG Goal 4). The award will be presented in association with the United Nations at the upcoming MIPTV Spring International Television Market, taking place in Cannes from 8-10, April 2024.
Established in 2020 to support the UN’s Decade of Action campaign, the prestigious MIP SDG Awards recognize organizations and initiatives within the media industry that are driving progress on the SDGs through editorial, campaigning, and business practices.
Ubongo has been honored as this year’s winner for its visionary role in providing quality multimedia educational content and transforming learning experiences for Africa’s next generation.
Mwasi Wilmore, CEO of Ubongo, said: “We are deeply honored to receive the MIP SDG Award in recognition of our commitment to providing inclusive and equitable quality education across Africa. This award reaffirms our dedication to leveraging the power of media to transform the learning experiences of millions of children, empowering them to realize their full potential.”
This year’s awards attracted submissions from 24 countries, with the winners selected from over 70 entries by an international jury of social responsibility experts, producers and past winners, including: Mo Abudu (CEO, EbonyLife Media), Troy Armour (CEO, Junk Kouture), Márcia Balisciano (Chief Sustainability Officer, RELX Group), Amanda Hill (CEO, We Are On Purpose) and Hyeonza Hong (Founder and Director Green Goals Singapore).
Alongside Ubongo, a visionary free-access environmental footage library, Open Planet, will be awarded this year’s MIP SDG Innovation Award in recognition of its original contributions to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
Caroline Petit, Deputy Director for the United Nations Regional Information Centre for Europe said:
“The number and diversity of entries for this year’s edition of the MIP SDG Awards demonstrate that the audiovisual industry can be an important ally in many areas of the UN’s work: from sustainable development to human rights. Broadcasters and producers have a role to play in creating and distributing factual, scientific content, and also in motivating and inspiring people to care, through stories.”
Lucy Smith, Director of MIPTV, added:
“Television’s power to accelerate progress has never been more needed. This year’s winners have both successfully harnessed resources to reach wider audiences with powerful storytelling from trusted sources and are just two examples entered from an incredibly encouraging range of inspiring, progressive initiatives from across the industry – work we will continue to provide a platform to highlight.”
The award will be presented by the United Nations’ Deputy Director for the United Nations Regional Information Centre for Europe, Caroline Petit, in a special keynote session featuring interviews with Ubongo CEO, Mwasi Wilmore, and Open Planet’s Director of Operations, Emily Renshaw-Smith, to showcase the story, purpose, and progress behind each initiative on Tues 9 April at 11.45 in the Palais des Festivals.
For further information, or any media inquiries or interview requests, please contact: tamala@ubongo.org
