An historic evening of spectacular entertainment, dining and inspiration to
raise global awareness and to influence good policy

Friday, 30th November 2007
Royal Courts of Justice, London

Prime Minister Gordon Brown opened the event by video address. He believes that the scale of the development emergency and the environmental challenge are such that we cannot now leave it to some other time or some other people and that this can only be achieved in a genuine partnership between the government, the private sector, NGOs and faith groups.

The Hon Al Gore, Nobel Prize Winner 2007 delivered the keynote address. Prime Minister Gordon Brown passed on his congratulations again to Al Gore - on winning his recent peace prize and said that he has been inspirational in focusing attention across the globe on the issue of climate change. Former Prime Minister Tony Blair also passed on his congratulations and said that winning the Nobel was thoroughly deserved.

Renu Mehta conveyed that the exalted human quality expressed through charity is founded on compassion, and when this is combined with practical programs, we can ensure sustainable development. So charity and sustainability are both important and this insight is the essence of Fortune Forum.

International Clean Energy (ICE) Circle was launched to advance innovation in clean energy and to influence the framework of governments to commit greater resources to address climate change. It was addressed by the following participants;

Caroline Lucas MEP stressed the need to focus on want real, lasting, fundamental policy change, so we can address the underlying causes of poverty and environmental destruction, not just the symptoms. Daryl Hannah cautioned that our over-demand for natural resources is causing the wholesale destruction of life. Kane Kramer founder of The British Inventors Society galvanised awareness for the importance of the role of implementing innovation to accelerate the transition to clean, safe and affordable technology.

Sir David Frost stated that Cancer will affect 1 in 3 of us, supporting Cancer Research UK through the Fortune Forum Summit Event is an opportunity for us to make a difference. Jerry Hall as ‘Special Ambassador of The Alliance for a New Humanity’ expressed the gratitude that brightens the eyes of so many people who will benefit from our work together. Lily Cole on behalf of WaterAid, talked about the dire situation in the developing world; 1.1 billion people still lack access to safe water in today’s times.



Sir Bob Geldof was honoured with the British Red Cross Humanity Fellowship Award.
Geldof was given the award in recognition of his continued efforts over 20 years to promote humanitarian issues. The award honours those people who reflect the values of the Red Cross movement and have a long association with, and a dedication to, humanitarian work. The only previous recipients have been Nelson Mandela and Bill Clinton. Bob delivered a powerful acceptance speech echoing the urgency of moving forward, particularly with respect to Africa.

Former Prime Minister Tony Blair said that there is no substitute for what governments can and must do to eliminate poverty. Similarly there is no substitute for what individuals and civil society institutions can and must do. Governments can only properly respond to the desires of the people. He expressed his deep congratulations to Bob Geldof on receiving The British Red Cross Humanity Fellowship Award and said that he deserves every bit of our praise and believes that he will continue to be a powerful effective advocate for programs which deserve our support.

Damien Rice produced a beautiful philosophical sound and drew the evening to a poignant close.

Fortune Forum honoured and identified compelling work that is being implemented by The British Red Cross, Cancer Research UK, WaterAid, African Renaissance and ICE Circle. Together, these 5 brands represent the global, the local and the strategic.

So how can Fortune Forum work towards the shared and ultimate goal of scale, scale to reach the vast numbers who need help? We can, through our campaigning and our convening, scale up investment, and influence policy so that children have the chance of reaching adulthood and that our grandchildren have the chance to live in a clean environment.

Fortune Forum has benefited from the reach and impact that our participating luminaries have brought to attract massive media coverage which has amplified awareness at the global level. This advocacy has stressed importance to both our supporters and policy makers at the political level.