Rie Ken Yamamoto, Diane von Furstenberg, and David Beckham have been awarded the World Economic Forum’s 2025 Crystal Award.
The "Crystal Award" honors cultural leaders who have made significant contributions to advancing global social, environmental, and creative initiatives.
This year's winners come from diverse fields such as architecture, fashion, and sports—they’ve been doing remarkable work to advance causes like community revitalization, gender equality, and children’s rights.
To view the annual conference's cultural and artistic agenda, please click at the end of the text.Read the original textWelcome to the topic#Davos2025Winter#, follow and share the annual conference updates on social media.
The winners of the World Economic Forum's 31st Annual Crystal Award include renowned architect and 2024 Pritzker Architecture Prize laureate Riken Yamamoto, celebrated fashion designer, philanthropist, and advocate for women's rights Diane von Furstenberg, and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and global champion for children's rights, David Beckham.All winners will be honored at the World Economic Forum’s 2025 Annual Meeting, held in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland. The annual "Crystal Award" is presented by Hilde Schwab, Chair and Co-founder of the World Economic Forum’s Global Art Forum. This year’s "Crystal Award" recipient not only demonstrated visionary leadership but also played a proactive role in driving meaningful change."These award recipients have brought us together through their creativity and insight, deepening our understanding of the human experience while boldly presenting transformative visions that transcend short-term thinking and narrow perspectives," said Joseph Fowler, Managing Director of Culture and Arts at the World Economic Forum. "Their work fosters stronger connections among us, sparks profound reflection, and inspires us to build a more inclusive, forward-thinking future—one that can ultimately lead to meaningful improvements in society."2025 "Crystal Award" Recipient
Yasuo Yamamoto has been awarded the 2025 "Crystal Award" in recognition of his outstanding contributions to architecture and society. Deeply committed to fostering community revitalization, he has pioneered groundbreaking work in sustainable development and passionately embraced a human-centered design philosophy—leaving a profound impact on society, both in Japan and beyond. Mr. Yamamoto’s visionary efforts are shaping the future of the architectural industry, highlighting architecture’s vital role in enhancing human lives while safeguarding our natural environment.His influential design projects include the Hotta Residence, Saitama Prefectural University, Jianwai SOHO, and the Yokosuka Museum of Art—each reflecting Yamamoto’s architectural philosophy that buildings serve as catalysts for human connections and societal progress. Following the 2011 earthquake in Japan, Yamamoto established the "Local Area Republic Lab," a platform dedicated to supporting community revitalization and reinforcing his commitment to harnessing architecture as a force for healing.In 2001 and 2024, Yamamoto Prize. The Pritzker Architecture Prize jury praised his work as "a contribution to humanity," while Tom Pritzker, chairman of the Hyatt Foundation, described him as "a world-class philosopher," highly commending his architectural philosophy that emphasizes subtle variations in detail and is deeply rooted in humanistic concern.
Diane von Furstenberg, a world-renowned fashion designer, philanthropist, and author, has been awarded the 2025 Crystal Award in recognition of her outstanding contributions to women’s empowerment—through her charitable work, mentorship, and commitment to social responsibility. As the founder of her eponymous brand and the creator of the iconic wrap dress, she has consistently championed women’s independence and strength, passionately advocating for gender equality and playing an active role in the feminist movement.In addition to her contributions to the field of fashion design, Diane von Furstenberg is deeply committed to championing women’s rights. In 2010, she partnered with the Diller-von Furstenberg Family Foundation to establish the DVF Award, which aims to amplify and celebrate the voices of extraordinary women—recognizing their tireless efforts to empower and transform the lives of other women around the world. Each year, the DVF Award presents cash prizes to five inspiring recipients, helping them sustain and advance their vital work.Fassbender is a director at Vital Voices Global Partnership, a nonprofit organization. Founded in 1997, the partnership has grown into a powerful network of female leaders from around the globe, now counting over 20,000 change-makers across 185 countries—women who are boldly pioneering a more equitable and inclusive future for all. She also serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the Council of Fashion Designers of America, having previously held the role of Chairperson for 13 consecutive years.Her charitable work has also earned her countless accolades, including the Council of Fashion Designers of America’s Lifetime Achievement Award and induction into the U.S. National Women’s Hall of Fame. In 2020, she was awarded the Knight of the Legion of Honour by the French government. And in 2021, she was honored with the Order of the Crown of the Kingdom of Belgium by her native country, Belgium. Alongside her dedication to empowering women, she has also been at the forefront of fundraising efforts, leading the creation of the new Statue of Liberty Museum on Liberty Island in New York City.
David Beckham has been awarded the 2025 Crystal Award in recognition of his longstanding humanitarian efforts and unwavering commitment to improving the lives of children worldwide. A tireless advocate for better education, child rights protection, and overall child welfare, Beckham has emerged as a global leader championing the rights of vulnerable children across the globe. He continues to leverage his influential platform and resources to drive meaningful, lasting change that positively impacts children everywhere.This year marks the 20th anniversary of David Beckham serving as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. Over the past two decades, he has traveled extensively across the globe—visiting some of the world’s most crisis-ridden regions and stepping into conflict zones to shine a spotlight on children’s critical needs. Beyond his involvement in emergency response efforts, Beckham has also been a powerful advocate for young women and adolescent girls, championing targeted investments in areas like healthcare, education, rights, and gender equality. Through his work with UNICEF, he has helped raise global awareness about the vital importance of immunization—and has tirelessly promoted malaria prevention initiatives over the years.In 2009, Beckham co-founded the UK-based charity Malaria No More and has since served as its global ambassador. In 2018, he spearheaded the highly acclaimed "Malaria Must Die" campaign, rallying people to take bold action toward a malaria-free world. By the time the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting opened, the campaign had already reached an impressive one billion individuals.Beckham firmly believes that sports are a transformative force capable of inspiring positive change in people, which is why he supports numerous programs aimed at young people and champions grassroots initiatives designed to tackle issues like racism, mental health, and equal opportunities. He is committed to empowering youth talent to pursue football, and in the U.S., he helped establish a comprehensive soccer development system that ensures fair access and an inclusive environment for everyone.As a world-renowned athlete and a passionate advocate for children's rights, Beckham wields significant cultural influence in driving social change. He remains deeply committed to improving lives around the globe, demonstrating his remarkable ability to inspire action and create meaningful public good. His efforts have resonated with countless people worldwide, yielding tangible and positive outcomes.The recipient of the "Crystal Award" is part of the Davos Cultural Leaders Community. To learn more about the 2025 World Economic Forum Annual Meeting’s cultural and arts agenda, click on “Read the original article” at the end of this text.About the "Crystal Award"The "Crystal Award" recognizes outstanding cultural leaders who have bridged art, culture, and society through their work, inspiring positive change and advancing critical global causes. Presented during the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, recipients demonstrate both creativity and leadership as they actively tackle pressing global challenges.Regarding the 2025 World Economic Forum Annual Meeting
The 2025 World Economic Forum Annual Meeting will take place from January 20 to 24 in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland, bringing together global leaders to explore the theme "Collaboration in the Age of Intelligence." The event will focus on fostering new partnerships and inspiring fresh insights, aiming to shape a more sustainable and inclusive future amid rapidly evolving technological advancements. Key areas of emphasis include reimagining growth, shaping industries for the intelligent era, investing in people, safeguarding our planet, and rebuilding trust. For more details about the annual meeting, visit the World Economic Forum website.
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