Building Bridges Through Popular Culture

Dear Friends,

In a world increasingly marked by geopolitical tensions, misinformation, and deepening inequalities and divides, popular culture and cultural diplomacy have never been more vital.

Polarisation, nationalism, and the tendency to ‘other’ those who are different, are driving people further apart – working against what we, as human beings, and our planet need the most: collaboration, connection and compassion. It is time to ask ourselves: What can help foster more global collaboration, what can bring humanity closer together? In our humble opinion at UN Live, the answer lies in cultivating empathy, fostering deeper conversations and nurturing a stronger and shared sense of belonging — what we call a Global We.

This is where culture, not least popular culture, comes in!

Culture is for everyone everywhere. Popular culture helps form our identities, ideas, understanding of the world, and what we value. It has the power to create connection and collaboration, but it can also be used to fuel suspicion, polarisation and downright incite hatred.

Recognising the power of popular culture to unite or divide, allows us to embrace its potential to build bridges, to develop empathy and understanding, to meet people where they are, and to further global collaboration – what the world needs now more than ever.

We’re a quarter into 2025, and at UN Live we are continuing the year with boldness, creativity, and a shared commitment to shaping a more compassionate and collaborative present – some of which you can read about in this newsletter. None of this would be possible without the artists, activists, partners, and communities who have joined us on this journey. Together, we are inspiring a perspective that the world needs a change in mindsets towards a Global We

Photo: Sounds Right on a billboard at Penn Plaza, New York City.

NATURE the Artist that Keeps Growing: The Latest and Greatest From Sounds Right

Music moves us. It brings people together, stirs emotions, and creates unforgettable moments. But what if it could do more? Sounds Right, UN Live’s pioneering music programme developed and delivered with partners across the globe, has turned listening into a force for environmental action.

Here is the latest and greatest from this simple yet groundbreaking initiative, where every stream generates revenue that funds conservation efforts:

🎧 We've reached 150 million streams and 15 million listeners engaged with Sounds Right tracks
🏆 Sounds Right won two Gold Clio Music Awards for Innovation and Social Good, not least thanks to AKQA's work on design and creative strategy, to Earthrise and Spotify’s work across SoMe and streaming channels, and EarthPercent’s artist outreach, with VozTerra supporting.
📈 The number of NATURE’s nature sounds has grown by 43% since NATURE was established as an artist last year. The latest additions have been sound scapes from various ecosystems across the globe.
🚀 We are getting ready to launch 30 new Feat NATURE tracks on Earth Day April 22 with artists from all around the globe and multiple different genres. Stay tuned!

An up-coming Danish playlist with well-known Danish artists feat. NATURE, will be tying into a campaign to mobilise young Danes around environmental awareness and stewardship.

🌎 We are working to make it possible for all artists to feature NATURE by the end of the year, making it easier than ever before for artists to become part of the growing global movement
🎤 Almost needless to say - UN Live, Sounds Right and NATURE the artist, will be present at various climate weeks, UN’s General Assembly and not least COP30 in Belem, Brazil later in the year.

Sounds Right’s success continues to be made possible by a pioneering group of partners, that collaborate across sectors in service of a shared mission to recognise nature's artistry and value.

Photo: UN Live at Inkwell Beach panel on the role of popular culture and media in building inclusive economies together with inspiring speakers.

UN Live in Davos Pushing the Power of Popular Culture

At the World Economic Forum 2025 annual meeting in Davos earlier this year, global challenges remained a central theme, even if less dominant than in previous years.

Across thousands of sessions, leaders tackled pressing crises—from planetary collapse to rising authoritarianism and deepening inequality - a clear message emerged: solving these issues requires greater collaboration across borders, sectors, and generations, built on trust and new ways of thinking and doing.

Arts and culture are essential to that fresh thinking, providing the infrastructure for change through shared narratives, immersive experiences, and unexpected alliances.

UN Live was at #WEF2025 to champion the role of popular culture in driving large-scale, positive change and sustainable impact We spoke, networked, and celebrated, how the importance of investing in arts, culture, and creativity was spotlighted across key forums, like CNBC, INKWELL Beach, Hub Culture, The Art of Business, and the Imagination in Action Summit. In addition, NATURE the artist brought the Amazon rainforest and the Sounds Right initiative into official WEF sessions through ecosystem soundscapes.

Breaking Barriers, Building Belonging, Creating a Global We

Photo: Participants outside the Global We portal in Johannesburg, South Africa

The Global We initiative brings people together across cultures, borders, and lived experiences. It has become a powerful platform for dialogue, creativity, and collective action, breaking barriers and fostering a sense of belonging - a Global We.

During the first months of 2025 the many Global We portals across the globe have held powerful conversations including on social justice, women’s empowerment and conservation:

📅 Key recent moments:

World Day of Social Justice on 20 February was marked in several Global We portals. Hip hop artists gathered to discuss global solidarity and social justice, and explore how hip hop has shaped their perspectives, amplified their voices, and empowered communities worldwide.

“If anything, hip hop has educated me and opened up my mind. It gives me that boost to say that ‘our voices are heard, because here we are, a bunch of us, speaking about one thing’, so–there’s hope”. - Nyeleti the Star, Singer, Songwriter, MC — Johannesburg, South Africa

On World Wildlife Day Global We facilitated inspiring creative encounters between children in portals across the globe, inviting them to explore their love of local wildlife through art. Using artistic expression, the children brought their favorite animals to life by crafting masks and sketches. The session concluded with a thoughtful discussion on the beauty of wildlife conservation and its vital benefits to our planet and communities.

‘How can we protect endangered animals?’

“Stopping deforestation”
“Protecting their habitats”
“Punishing the poachers”
“Creating more conservation groups”
“Informing people about endangered animals”

Children from UNILAG Staff School, Lagos, Nigeria (ages 8 and 9)

For International Women’s Day, Global We invited musicians to come together to discuss and celebrate women’s empowerment and gender equality in the music industry, as well as the significance of International Women’s Day. Throughout history, music has served as a powerful catalyst for change — connecting communities, igniting inspiration, and breaking down barriers.

“Let’s fully embrace the power that we hold in our voices, our creativity, in our writing and the stories that we need to share.” - Rethabile Padi, Artist, Johannesburg, South Africa

In the coming months, Global We will host a series of inspiring and thought-provoking conversations and experiences designed to connect, empower, and inspire:

⛑️ World Health Day: Exploring the powerful role of traditional medicine in shaping modern healthcare systems.

🤝 Global We Changemakers: Showcasing extraordinary individuals who are actively driving positive change in their communities — and beyond.

🪁 Youth & Mental Health: A deep dive into the mental health challenges young people face today, fostering dialogue, understanding, and support.

🎶 Musical Collaborations Across Borders: Uniting artists from around the world to create exciting, cross-cultural musical experiences.

Defenders of Planet Earth (DoPE) Production: Climate Action Through Entertainment

Photo: Behind the Scenes of ‘DoPE’ Production in Edible Routes Farm, Delhi

Storytelling changes hearts and minds. UN Live together with Fingerprint Content and a fabulous production team in India have been hard at work the last couple of months shooting Defenders of Planet Earth (DOPE)—a light entertainment climate series showcasing ordinary people in India doing extraordinary things for climate action.

Now in post-production in India, DOPE spotlights individuals who are pioneering solutions within conservation and reforestation, clean energy, natural farming and food systems, as well as community led waste management and sustainable living.

The series brings hope, humor, entertainment, solutions, agency and heroism to climate storytelling, and it will - when airing - be accompanied by a strong engagement campaign that will make it possible for everybody to become a DOPER in their own lives.

As we’re well into 2025, one thing is clear: this is a time for bold ideas, radical collaboration, and creative solutions.. We know the power of music, art, and storytelling can spark change, and empathy—and we know that when people come together, transformation happens.

The challenges ahead are significant, but so is our collective capacity to create change. We are in a moment that demands a willingness to imagine new ways forward. The need has never been greater—but neither has our collective ability to make a difference. Let’s make 2025 a year of bold action and shared purpose.

Stay connected and join us on Instagram and LinkedIn.

What we are reading

Can Empathy Help You Be More Creative? - Greater Good Magazine explores how empathy enhances creativity by fostering perspective-taking, deeper connections, and innovative problem-solving.

Don’t Call It ESG, Call It Resilience - The Wall Street Journal shares about how language around issues are changing and argues that sustainability efforts as resilience strategies, emphasising long-term risk management over ideological debates.

This endangered toad just got a big boost from Bad Bunny - National Geographic highlights how the global music star is raising awareness and funds to protect Puerto Rico’s endangered coquí toad through cultural influence.

What we are watching and listening to

Water Got No Enemy - Fela Kuti: is a powerful Afrobeat anthem that uses water as a metaphor for resilience, necessity, and the inevitability of change, critiquing corruption and oppression in Nigeria.

Cities Are Here To Stay - Earthrise x Global Covenant of Mayors highlights the vital role of cities in climate action, showcasing how urban innovation, resilience, and collective leadership can drive sustainable change.

How to be an "apocalyptic optimist" - Dana R. Fisher, TED Talk explores how collective action, civic engagement, and strategic optimism can drive meaningful change in the face of climate and societal crises.

The UNFPA exhibit titled “Uprooted: Resilience Amidst Crisis”. This exhibition, Curated by Photoville in partnership with the UN Department of Global Communication, in honor of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, the exhibition showcases the impact of violence against women and girls through survivor stories, displays of community strength, and the ongoing pursuit of justice and healing.