Three speakers at a past Goalkeepers event.

Past Events

In past years, we’ve held an annual event to celebrate our achievements, hear from world leaders and local advocates, and take stock of the work we still need to do. To learn more, you can explore the highlights, featured speakers, and award winners from our past events.

 

Although we are unable to come together in person during 2021, it is essential that we still take time to examine our progress and recognize those who are taking action to help achieve the Global Goals.

Goalkeepers 2021

In the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic, we were unable to come together in person during 2021. In lieu of the event, we explored virtual platforms to connect with the community and the world at large. Even amid the devastation of the pandemic, we’ve seen that hope can grow from seeds planted years earlier. 

Dr. Onyimbo Kerama, Lead Consultant and Executive Director at Motire Occupational Health and Safety Solutions uses the LumiraDx diagnostic instrument to test for COVID-19 in Thika, Kenya. (August 28, 2021)

2021 Award Winners

An image of  Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka

Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka

Global Goalkeeper Award


Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka

Global Goalkeeper Award

An image of Jenifer Colpas

Jenifer Colpas

Progress Award


Jenifer Colpas

Progress Award

An image of Fairooz Faizah Beether

Fairooz Faizah Beether

Changemaker Award


Fairooz Faizah Beether

Changemaker Award

An image of Satta Sheriff

Satta Sheriff

Campaign Award


Satta Sheriff

Campaign Award

Goalkeepers 2020

2020 marked the first year that we were unable to host our Goalkeepers annual event – to celebrate our achievements, hear from leaders and take stock of the work we still need to do in person.
But the pandemic didn’t deter us. We still used this time to examine our progress and recognize those who are taking action to help achieve the Global Goals.

A child in a mask

2020 Award Winners

Hauwa Ojeifo

Hauwa<br/>Ojeifo

Changemaker Award


Hauwa
Ojeifo

Changemaker Award

MASH Project Foundation members

MASH Project<br/>Foundation

Campaign Award


MASH Project
Foundation

Campaign Award

Bonita Sharma

Bonita <br/>Sharma

Progress Award


Bonita
Sharma

Progress Award

Dr. John Nkengasong

Dr. John<br/>Nkengasong

Global Goalkeeper Award


Dr. John
Nkengasong

Global Goalkeeper Award

Goalkeepers 2019

September 24–25, 2019 | New York City

As world leaders gathered for the UN General Assembly in September of 2019, we hosted the third annual Goalkeepers event in New York City. The focus of the event was the challenge of fighting global inequality to ensure no one is left behind.

A group of people sit and listen to Goalkeepers speakers

2019 Featured Speakers

Bill Gates

Co-Chair, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Bill Gates is a technologist, business leader, and philanthropist. Through the foundation he works to expand opportunity for the world’s most disadvantaged people.

Melinda French Gates

Co-Chair, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Melinda Gates is a philanthropist, investor, and global advocate for women and girls.

Portrait of Jacinda Ardern

Jacinda Ardern

Prime Minister of New Zealand

Portrait of Pedro Sánchez

Pedro Sánchez

Prime Minister of Spain

Portrait of Dr Jennifer Eberhardt

Dr. Jennifer Eberhardt

Professor, Author

Portrait of Aliko Dangote

Aliko Dangote

Businessman, Philanthropist

Portrait of Dr Senjuti Saha

Dr. Senjuti Saha

Microbiologist and Activist

Portrait of Dr Joia Crear-Perry

Dr. Joia Crear-Perry

Founder and president, National Birth Equity Collaborative

2019 Award Winners

Payal Jangid

Payal Jangid

Changemaker Award


Payal Jangid

Changemaker Award

Aya Chebbi

Aya Chebbi

Campaign Award


Aya Chebbi

Campaign Award

Gregory Rockson

Gregory Rockson

Progress Award


Gregory Rockson

Progress Award

 Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Global Goalkeeper Award


Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Global Goalkeeper Award

Goalkeepers 2018

September 25–26 | New York City

As world leaders gathered for the UN General Assembly in September, we hosted the second annual Goalkeepers event in New York City on September 25 and 26, 2018. Speakers from around the world joined us for this two-day event, sharing their stories, ideas, and challenges.

A group of people sit and listen to Goalkeepers 2018 speakers

2018 Featured Speakers

Portrait of Emmanuel Macron

Emmanuel Macron

President of France

Portrait of Graça Machel

Graça Machel

Founder of the Graça Machel Trust

Portrait of King Kaka

King Kaka

Musician, entrepreneur

Portrait of Trisha Shetty

Trisha Shetty

Lawyer and founder of SheSays

Portrait of Aranya Johar

Aranya Johar

Poet

Portrait of Julius Maada Bio

Julius Maada Bio

President of Sierra Leone

Bill Gates

Co-Chair, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Bill Gates is a technologist, business leader, and philanthropist. Through the foundation he works to expand opportunity for the world’s most disadvantaged people.

Melinda French Gates

Co-Chair, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Melinda Gates is a philanthropist, investor, and global advocate for women and girls.

2018 Award Winners

Dysmus Kisilu

Dysmus Kisilu, Kenya

Progress Award


Dysmus Kisilu, Kenya

Progress Award

Amika George

Amika George, United Kingdom

Campaign Award


Amika George, United Kingdom

Campaign Award

Nadia Murad

Nadia Murad, Iraq

Changemaker Award


Nadia Murad, Iraq

Changemaker Award

Cornelia Röper

Cornelia Röper, Germany

Changemaker Award


Cornelia Röper, Germany

Changemaker Award

Natalie Robi

Natalie Robi Tingo, Kenya

Changemaker Award


Natalie Robi Tingo, Kenya

Changemaker Award

Goalkeepers 2017

September 19–20, 2017 | New York City

The first annual Goalkeepers event took place in during the UN General Assembly in 2017. Speakers from around the world, including Malala Yousafzai and President Barack Obama, shared stories of bold leadership and innovative solutions driving progress on the Global Goals.

Goalkeepers 2017 speakers

2017 Featured Speakers

Portrait of Barack Obama

Barack Obama

Former President of the United States

Portrait of Malala Yousafzai

Malala Yousafzai

Co-founder, Malala Fund

Malala Yousafzai is a Pakistani activist., UN Messenger of Peace and the youngest person ever awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. As co-founder of Malala Fund, she is building a world where every girl can learn and lead without fear.

Portrait of Justin Trudeau

Justin Trudeau

Prime Minister of Canada

Portrait of Leymah Gbowee

Leymah Gbowee

President of the Gbowee Peace Foundation Africa

Portrait of Amina Mohammed

Amina Mohammed

Deputy Secretary General of the UN

Portrait of Queen Rania

Queen Rania

Queen of Jordan

Bill Gates

Co-Chair, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Bill Gates is a technologist, business leader, and philanthropist. Through the foundation he works to expand opportunity for the world’s most disadvantaged people.

Melinda French Gates

Co-Chair, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Melinda Gates is a philanthropist, investor, and global advocate for women and girls.

2017 Award Winners

Laura Ulloa

Laura Ulloa, Colombia

Young Goalkeeper Award


Laura Ulloa, Colombia

Young Goalkeeper Award

Felix Manyogote

Felix Manyogote, Tanzania

Leave No-One Behind Award


Felix Manyogote, Tanzania

Leave No-One Behind Award

Marieme Jamme

Marieme Jamme, Senegal/UK

Innovation Award


Marieme Jamme, Senegal/UK

Innovation Award

Bernard Coubaily

Bernard Coubaily, Mali

Healthy Not Hungry Award


Bernard Coubaily, Mali

Healthy Not Hungry Award

Ria Sharma

Ria Sharma, New Delhi

Leadership Award


Ria Sharma, New Delhi

Leadership Award

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

Global Goalkeeper Award


Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

Global Goalkeeper Award