Film stars Josh Hartnett and Sir Ben Kingsley and film-makers Danny Boyle and Christian Colson will be the first recipients of the Doha 21st Century Leader Awards to be presented at a special gala dinner at the Grand Hyatt Doha on October 30.
The 21st Century Leaders Foundation, in partnership with the Friends of the Environment Center and Qatar Charity, will host the awards and a series of events that will help to raise awareness of humanitarian and environmental causes.
Started in 2003 by Charlotte di Vita MBE, 21st Century Leaders Foundation leverages the influence of well-known figures of popular culture to promote and encourage positive change for humanitarian and environmental issues facing the world today.
Doha 21st Century Leaders will launch in Qatar on October 28 with various events hosted by the Grand Hyatt Doha.
The first event is the “Whatever It Takes To Make A Difference Experience” which will run from October 28 to 31.  The experience is a unique art, shopping and cafe space at the Grand Hyatt Doha which includes exclusive “Whatever It Takes” products.
“Whatever It Takes” is a cause-related product campaign which involves more than 600 celebrities or leaders in their field who officially become 21st Century Leader Ambassadors.   As an ambassador they create an original piece of art with a strong message of hope. This artwork is then designed into a variety of environmentally sustainable lifestyle products, created through ethical employment in developing countries.
The products are then sold to raise funds through 4,000 prestigious retail partners globally such as Harrods, Selfridges, Bloomingdales, Macy’s, Lane Crawford, David Jones and Harvey Nichols amongst others.  These products will be available for the first time in Qatar through the “Whatever It Takes To Make A Difference Experience”.
For the first time, 57 of the original artworks from 21st Century Leaders Ambassadors, including George Clooney, Samuel L Jackson, Sir Ben Kingsley, Giorgio Armani, Donna Karan, Sir Bob Geldof, Snoop Dog and Heidi Klum will be exhibited.  Several 21st Century Leader Ambassadors will be in Doha from October 29-31 to support these events.
The Doha 21st Century Leaders Awards ceremony and gala dinner will be held on October 30 to mark the humanitarian and environmental achievements of individuals who have made a serious commitment and significant impact to their chosen cause.
Famous personalities, unsung Qatari heroes and social innovators from the region who have made substantial efforts in either pioneering change within their own communities or by reaching out through humanitarian efforts and environmental projects worldwide will be rewarded and recognised on this special evening.
American actor and film producer Josh Hartnett, who came to fame after his first film role Halloween H20: 20 Years Later and in the 2001 film Black Hawk Down, will be honoured alongside esteemed British actor Sir Ben Kingsley who won an academy award for his portrayal of Mohandas Gandhi in the 1982 film Gandhi.
The multi-award winning director and producer team of Danny Boyle and Christian Colson, who made last year’s smash hit Slumdog Millionaire, will also be recognised.
The recipients will receive an award that has been specially designed by respected artist and sculptor Lorenzo Quinn.
“We would very much like to be able to bring our international 21st Century Leader Ambassadors of sports, art, film and music to Qatar for the benefit of the entire Qatari community, especially to inspire children and young people to learn about exciting innovations which can protect Qatar’s natural eco system,” Charlotte di Vita, founder and director of 21st Century Leaders, said.