Friends,

It’s my pleasure to greet the Story House community of creatives and culture-shapers.

My thanks to Sylvia, Alicia (Keys), Swizz (Beats) and the entire MAMA-G [maa maa gee] team for bringing us together.

There is no language that speaks more powerfully to our common humanity than the language of art.

The stories we tell through art communicate compassion and understanding. They build bridges across cultures, borders and generations. They reconnect us with our history, help us reflect on the present and inspire us to create a better future.

Representation is critical. Every community must have a role in shaping the values and narratives that drive action to address our common challenges.

This sense of shared destiny is also essential to solving global problems – from COVID-19 to the climate crisis.

That is why your role is so important. Through creative expression and collaboration, the Story House community can create space for new voices, shift mindsets and turn awareness into action for the good of humanity.

The United Nations itself began as a visionary story: of a world in which the most powerful do not dictate to the weak; in which every one of us, no matter our origin, has dignity and fundamental human rights.

The Sustainable Development Goals are another inspiring story – of a world leaving no one behind in our collective effort to end poverty, achieve gender equality, confront climate change and create a better future for all on a healthy planet.

Never has the world been better equipped to deal with our biggest challenges. Yet never have we been in greater need of solidarity in the face of so many crises and when some seek to divide us.

The UN convenes our global town hall for our global village to give voice to everyone.

Tonight you give voice to the possibilities.

I thank you for using your creativity, influence and art to reach new audiences with compelling stories that inspire action.  

I wish you all a wonderful evening.