A maker of solar-powered dryers, a soil carbon marketplace and groups that restore Andean forests and tighten marine enforcement to deter illegal fishing won this year’s Earthshot Prize, Britain’s Prince William said at the awards ceremony Tuesday. The five green innovators “are amplifying hope in a world where it’s easy to feel despair about climate change,” he added. The glitzy awards gala at Mediacorp Theatre was hosted by Hannah Waddingham and three-time Emmy winning actor Sterling K. Brown, with performers including Bastille, OneRepublic and Bebe Rexha. Actors Lana Condor, Cate Blanchett and Nomzamo Mbatha walked the green carpet wearing recycled clothing — including Yen, who wore a 10-year-old dark green suit by Alexander McQueen made from recycled fabric.
In the Leaders of Good (Adult) category, Koh Juay Meng is a tireless champion for senior volunteerism who takes a hands-on approach in his work with RSVP Singapore and other charities and social service organisations. He has also been a member of numerous advisory committees in the public and voluntary sector, helping to improve the lives of others.
The President’s Philanthropy & Volunteerism Award (PVPA) 2024, the national accolade for philanthropy, awarded 13 remarkable individuals and organisations for their dedication to giving back to society. It is the highest honour for people and institutions in Singapore in philanthropy, and aims to recognise outstanding examples of commitment, innovation and leadership in the field of philanthropy and volunteering.
This year, the prize categories expanded to include four new titles: a new short story collection by NUS professor Kishore Mahbubani, a Singapore history book that looks at three stories to strengthen the Singapore spirit, and a history of human-animal interactions in Singapore from NUS’ Department of History. The NUS Singapore History Prize was launched in 2014 with an endowment from a generous donor who hoped that the prize will motivate readers to engage with and understand Singapore’s past more deeply.
A total of 294 nominations were received this year, a 30 per cent increase from last year. Winners in the various categories were announced on a livestreamed ceremony, with the prizes presented by celebrities and personalities, including NUS Vice-Chancellor and President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Minister for Health Edwin Tong and host Hannah Waddingham. Two Epigram Books titles won in English fiction: Straits Times journalist Akshita Nanda’s Nimita’s Place, about two women navigating societies’ expectations in India and Singapore, and speculative novel Lion City by Ng Yi-Sheng. Foreword Coffee, which won in Organisations of Good (Small & Medium Enterprise), is a model for inclusivity, offering training and employment to those with disabilities or mental health needs. The company has a culture of respect and kindness in the workplace, and encourages meaningful connections over a cup of coffee. The winners were rewarded with $3,000 in cash and a trophy, and a 12-month Storytel audiobook gift subscription.