The BMW Group and the United Nations Alliance of Cultures (UNAOC) are moving into the next phase of their cooperation to promote intercultural dialogue and strengthen civil societies, which began exactly ten years ago. "We are proud of our ten years of partnership with UNAOC and our contribution through educational initiatives and intercultural dialogue around the world. That is why we are delighted to continue this successful partnership," said Ilka Horstmeier, BMW Group Board Member responsible for Human Resources.
"We are honoured to celebrate 10 years of partnership with the BMW Group, given our significant work in the areas of social inclusion and diversity. We count on the continuation of an ever-growing partnership between the UN and the private sector, which has proven to expand and strengthen the work of social pioneers around the world," said Miguel Angel Moratinos, High Representative of the Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC).
Ten years of promoting diversity and intercultural dialogue
The cooperation between the BMW Group and UNAOC began in 2011, when the two partners awarded the Intercultural Innovation Award for the first time. The award, which has been presented every year since then, honours projects from around the world that promote intercultural understanding and diverse, inclusive societies. To date, 61 award winners have reached over five million people around the world with their projects since the inception of the Intercultural Innovation Award.
Award ceremony in EXPO 2020 - the scene of cultural diversity
This year, the award ceremony will take place on 18 November as part of a thematic week on tolerance and social inclusion at this year's Expo 2020 in Dubai. More than 1,100 organisations from 120 countries responded to the open call, which this year focused mainly on projects that promote gender equality and defend women's rights, combat violent extremism, hatred and prejudice, and use art, culture and sport as levers for social change.
The Intercultural Innovation Award: A lasting commitment
In addition to the financial support of $200,000 - split equally between the 10 selected projects - the award winners also benefit from professional mentoring from the BMW Group, UNAOC and business consultancy Accenture. Recipients will also receive administrative and strategic support for the projects and become members of the "Intercultural Leaders" network, which connects professionals and managers from around the world. "The award ceremony is a very special moment: successful organisations will be able to put their ideas into practice and receive valuable professional support from our partners. We are delighted to see so many impressive projects submitted again this year. This shows the depth of creativity and the innovative power that surrounds cultural diversity," said Ilka Horstmeier, as supporter of the Intercultural Innovation Award.
With partnerships of this kind, the BMW Group pursues its goal of shaping social change. The company wants to contribute to sustainable progress ecologically, economically and socially. This ambition was also evident at the IAA Mobility 2021 exhibition: a light show projected the UNAOC logo and the UN Sustainable Development Goals on the facade of the company's headquarters in Munich, commemorating the anniversary of the partnership.
