$9B to Save 8 Million Lives | Sevilla Summit Begins | New Small Biz Awards with PayPal

I'm reporting from Seville as we prepare for Global Citizen NOW—and celebrate $9 billion raised to help save the lives of 8 millio through vaccines, PLUS new awards for small businesses to check out!

Dear Friends and Supporters,

I'm writing to you from Sevilla, Spain, where our team is preparing for Global Citizen NOW this Sunday, June 29. We’re set to welcome an incredible lineup of speakers—from heads of state to visionary entrepreneurs at the forefront of change. Speakers include Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Brazilian COP30 President André Corrêa do Lago, and many more. If you know anyone in town for the Financing for Development Conference who’d like to attend, please have them reach out to kellen.edmondson@globalcitizen.org.

You can learn everything there is to know about the event here, and check out my interview in one of Sevilla’s most prominent media outlets, which described the coming days as “the largest gathering of heads of state in the history of Sevilla.” Find social media graphics to promote on social media here, or share my video on Instagram here.

GC’s hard-working team, including event production and advocacy colleagues, on the eve of Global Citizen NOW Sevilla

$9 Billion Raised to Help Save 8 Million Children’s Lives!!

Just a few days ago, Global Citizen and so many of our incredible partners helped rally world leaders and philanthropists to commit $9 billion at a landmark summit in Brussels. That figure—yes, nine billion—is almost enough to help save the lives of 8 million children over the next five years through expanded access to vaccines via Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.

In my remarks at the event, I reflected on how remarkable it was that the summit was happening at all. Amid global turbulence and competing priorities—including a major NATO summit on the very same day—this gathering was a rare moment of shared optimism. While one summit was focused on preparing for the worst, this one was about investing in our best hope: the dreams and potential of a new generation of children.

As the Prime Minister of Greece put it so poignantly: after pledging so much to defense and military readiness, the least world leaders could do is commit a fraction of that to saving lives. Meanwhile, the President of Ghana shared a moving personal reflection: that in his lifetime, surviving past your fifth birthday as a child in Ghana was often a matter of luck.

Many in the room were visibly moved, and several stepped up to increase their pledges on the spot, even as some countries withdrew their support. I was proud to be an Australian in the room to see my good friend, Anne Aly, Australia’s Minister for International Development, announce increased support, which was met with cheers in the room.

I could sense the energy in the room as I introduced the chair of Gavi’s board to present the final tally, which was much higher than I had anticipated.

The lead-up to the summit wasn’t without tension, and that continued into the day itself. In the weeks preceding the summit, Global Citizen organized powerful projections across iconic buildings throughout Europe, which were even referenced during the event.

When we heard that Norway might reduce its support, Global Citizen joined partners to publish an open letter in one of the country’s most prominent newspapers. While the government didn’t pledge as much as we had hoped, they did respond to our campaign, acknowledged the call, and left the door open for a potential increase in the future. For that, I thank them for acknowledging—and I hope we can build on this momentum in the months to come.

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But now, the real work begins. Reaching the goal of saving 8 million lives means protecting 500 million children from deadly diseases over the next five years. And while $9 billion is a remarkable achievement—especially in today’s climate—it’s still not enough. More countries will need to step up in the months ahead. The hard work continues.

In partnership with PayPal, Global Citizen launched the Global Citizen and PayPal Small Business Impact Awards to celebrate small business owners and social entrepreneurs creating social or environmental change in their communities. Five winners will each receive a $25,000 prize and an exclusive in-person masterclass on brand-building with marketing experts at Global Citizen.

Please share the ‘Small Business Impact Awards’ / assets with your networks and encourage applicants! Applications are open and will close on August 15.

ERS + Equitable Earth: A Win for People and Planet

I’m thrilled to share that Equitable Earth—a breakthrough forest carbon standard developed in deep partnership with Indigenous and local communities—has officially joined forces with the Ecosystem Restoration Standard (ERS).

Global Citizen has been proud to support Equitable Earth since day one. Now, under ERS’s leadership, this community-driven model is set to scale even further, bringing high-integrity forest conservation finance to the places that need it most.

What does this mean in practice? More funding will be directed to the communities protecting forests on the front lines, and greater trust, transparency, and impact will be achieved where it matters most.

This is a significant victory for those working tirelessly to protect our planet. You can learn more from our partners here. As a reminder, Global Citizen will be profiling commitments from businesses and foundations at the Global Citizen Festival Amazonia on November 1st. Here was a recent recap of my trip to Brazil earlier this month to address business and philanthropic leaders:

Finally, for those who want to dive deeper into these issues, I highly recommend the new film Yanuni, which I was fortunate to see recently at its premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival. It offers an unforgettable portrait—told through both intimate close-ups and sweeping cinematic scale—of the fight to protect the Amazon and those who call it home.

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Forecasting the Future: Still Calling for Big Ideas, and the chance to win $25k!

Global Citizen recently launched “Forecasting the Future: A Modern Economics Challenge” in collaboration with Bridgewater Associates - an open call for bold thinkers to share their insights on how emerging geopolitical, technological, and economic trends will shape the global economy.

If you (or someone you know) has a sharp perspective and a compelling vision of what’s next, this is the moment to step forward. Winners will receive:

• $25,000

• The opportunity to interview for an internship or full-time role at Bridgewater Associates

Applications are open through August — don’t miss this chance to help shape the conversation on the future of the global economy. Apply or nominate someone here.

🚨 My home state of Western Australia is hiring—in Texas!

WA’s Trade and Investment Commissioner to the US is seeking two standout Business Development Managers: one in life sciences and the other in critical minerals and the energy transition. The positions are based in Austin, TX.

If you’ve read my book, From Ideas to Impact, you’ll know why WA matters. In Chapter 5, I share the story of Collie—a coal town in WA that’s becoming a global example of what a just transition actually looks like.

Know someone who’d be a great fit? Please forward this link.

Indonesia’s coal boom is real. So is the risk of wasting it.

And on the subject of coal… Despite Fatih Birol, the head of the International Energy Agency, being famous for his line — “the old king, coal, is over” — Indonesia’s coal sector has achieved record profits in recent years. The question now: Will this windfall fuel a transition, or entrench the plunderer’s curse?

In my latest article for Climate & Capital Media, I outline four steps on how to channel the profits from Indonesia’s coal boom.

1. Invest today’s profits in tomorrow’s economy

2. Demand real transition plans from coal firms

3. Reform royalties to reward those who pivot

4. Unlock finance for high-emitting sectors

We’ve seen what happens when transitions stall. But from Collie to South Africa, we’ve also seen what courage can do. Read the full article here.

My Reading List

I continue to hear from readers that From Ideas to Impact is proving to be a practical playbook for influencing policy at all levels. As someone said to me recently—so simply, and so powerfully—“This year, we’ve really come to understand the power of policy. Just look at what can happen with the stroke of a pen.” If the book has been useful to you, I’d be grateful if you left a quick review on Goodreads or Amazon. Your feedback helps others find it and keeps the momentum going.

• Check out some recent reflections on the rise of corporate volunteering

• Congrats to Rotary for continuing to support polio eradication efforts.

• Charting the Fallout of Aid Cuts: Which Countries Will be Hit Hardest, as Multiple Donors Cut Budgets?

• Brazil, others to tap $1 billion industry decarbonisation programme

• The ripple effects of US foreign aid cuts to food and water access across North Africa

• The American Argument for Foreign Aid

• UK leads G7 countries in addressing child sexual violence, but ODA cuts are hurting progress

Until next time!

Mick

P.S. On a more personal note, this month also marked a family anniversary tied to a tragic chapter in our history—something I explored in an article and podcast a few years ago. You can find it here.