The International Paralympic Committee’s (IPC’s) ‘Transforming Lives Makes Sense for Everyone’ campaign, which showcases the employment legacy of the London 2012 Paralympic Games, has won a prestigious international award.

The digital campaign - produced in partnership with the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Office and funded by BP and Bridgestone – took home a UN Sustainable Development Goals Action Award at a glittering ceremony in Bonn, Germany, on Thursday evening.

The IPC picked up the award in the Includer category, one of seven categories at the Awards, which received more than 2,000 submissions from 142 countries.

"We would like to thank the 4,237 people, the Para athletes, who competed at London 2012 and changed attitudes towards disability. Their amazing performances inspired the world, and it is thanks to them that one million more persons with disabilities are in employment in Great Britain now.

Chief Marketing and Communications Officer Craig Spence accepted the award on behalf of the IPC.

“It is a wonderful honour for our team, whose hard work and commitment made this series a reality, and a fantastic recognition of how the work of the Paralympic Movement helps to advance the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

“We would like to thank BP and Bridgestone, because without them we would not have even been able to implement this campaign. It is through their dedication, sponsorship and support of the Paralympic Movement that we can do this.

“Finally, we would like to thank the 4,237 people, the Para athletes, who competed at London 2012 and changed attitudes towards disability. Their amazing performances inspired the world, and it is thanks to them that one million more persons with disabilities are in employment in Great Britain now.

“We have left no one behind for this campaign and we will continue to do it at Tokyo 2020 next year.”

The campaign

Launched in December 2018, to coincide with the UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities, the “Transforming Lives Makes Sense for Everyone” campaign features three short films which demonstrate how the London 2012 Paralympic Games contributed to one million more persons with disabilities securing employment in Great Britain.

The films tell the stories of several people who either played key roles in driving inclusive employment or have secured employment following London 2012.

By the end of January 2019, the three films had reached 67 million people on social media, been viewed more than 28.5 million times and generated more than 1.4 million engagements.

In the first three films, British Paralympians were amongst those who shared their employment experiences and challenges.

This included Paralympic equestrian champion Sophie Christiansen who revealed her frustration at failing to secure employment pre-London 2012, despite holding a first-class master’s degree in mathematics. With attitudes transformed thanks to London 2012, she secured a role as a Goldman Sachs analyst soon after the Games.

The three videos from the campaign can be viewed on the Paralympics YouTube channel.

The Awards

The Sustainable Development Goals Action Awards honour individuals, civil society organisations, subnational governments, foundations, networks and private sector leaders who are advancing the global movement for the Sustainable Development Goals in the most transformative, impactful and innovative way.

Three finalists were shortlisted in each of the seven categories - Mobilisers, Storytellers, Campaigners, Connectors, Visualisers, Includers and Creatives.

The 21 finalists’ initiatives show how innovation, creativity and commitment can lead to impactful SDG actions around the world. These initiatives serve as an inspiration to the growing community of SDG change-makers and influencers taking action for the Goals.