Signalling the end of its one-month, five-country, global campaign by illuminating 20x20-metre, outdoor light installations of its logo, the Zayed Sustainability Prize’s “Guiding Light” campaign concluded its international tour, in the UAE capital, on Wednesday.

With a total of 10,000 solar-powered lanterns donated to off-grid communities, around the world, the campaign started in the Kingdom of Bahrain on 5th December 2018, moving to Bolivia (6th December), Bangladesh (18th December), Kenya (4th January), before the concluding event held at Masdar Park, in Abu Dhabi’s purpose-built, sustainable city development, Masdar City.

2,000 solar lanterns were used for each light installation and after each event they were donated to off-grid communities in Indonesia, Bolivia, Bangladesh, Kenya and Pakistan.

Further highlighting the global impact of the Prize, since its establishment in 2008, each of the events taking place outside of the UAE were held in partnership with a previous Prize winner who acted as organisers, on the ground. In Bahrain and Bolivia, they were with previous winners of in the Global High Schools Category: Bahrain Bayan School (2018) and Unidad Educativa Sagrado Corazon 4 (2017). In Bangladesh, the Prize co-ordinated with the Prize’s inaugural winner, Dipal Barua (2009). For the final UAE event, Special Olympics athletes, as well as volunteers from Masdar’s own employees, were part of the set-up team, in Masdar Park, Abu Dhabi.

Commenting on the conclusion of the Guiding Light campaign, Dr. Lamya Fawwaz, Director of the Zayed Sustainability Prize, said: “Throughout this campaign we have been encouraged by the support received from our previous winners and volunteers and pleased by the immediate impact that has resulted from these donations. Inspired by Sheikh Zayed’s sustainability and humanitarian vision, the Prize encourages and rewards others for affecting positive human impact. Through the ‘Guiding Light’ campaign, we have taken direct action to literally brighten the lives of thousands of people, in off-grid communities.”

“With regard to the Abu Dhabi light up event, we were honoured to have the assistance of athletes from the UAE’s Special Olympics Team for the set-up. As a Prize that prides itself on sharing the socially inclusive values in human development of Sheikh Zayed, we thank them for contribution and their determination to make a positive difference in the world.”

Following the evolution of the Zayed Sustainability Prize from the Zayed Future Energy Prize, it is now more closely aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the UAE National Agenda 2021. Over the last decade, a total of 66 winners have received the Prize and have, directly and indirectly, provided a positive impact on the lives of over 318 million people around the world.

Winners of the next annual Zayed Sustainability Prize will be announced at the awards ceremony, held during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, on 14th January 2019.

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