London International Awards In Collaboration With The European Parliament Introduces The First-Ever Democracy And Human Rights Category

London International Awards is introducing a Democracy and Human Rights category with 10 different sub-categories. This competition will recognize creative work that promotes and strengthens democratic values around the world. The work will honor communications and ideas that inspire people to care about human rights, free expression, fair representation, accountability and essential freedoms that allow democracy to thrive.

The European Parliament has been instrumental in helping develop this category.

Christian Mangold, Director of Communications of the European Parliament, said “Democracy depends on stories that we tell about it. When the creative community turns its talents towards strengthening democratic participation, freedom, and the rule of law, it can and will inspire conversations beyond our normal audience.”

Terry Savage, Chairperson of LIA, added “There are many awards that celebrate creativity that moves business and culture. This jury will be judging creativity that protects the system that makes this possible.” 

Jury President, Anthony Chelvanathan, Global Creative Partner and CCO, Edelman Canada, commented: “LIA stands out for its open judging process, with live deliberations that invite media and creatives to witness decisions firsthand. That level of transparency makes it a natural fit to introduce a Democracy and Human Rights competition. I’m incredibly honored to chair its first jury, a role that feels especially meaningful given my own background fleeing conflict.”

Anthony also said, “Not everything we do in advertising changes the world, but it’s very likely that work in this category will attempt to. It’s a noble mission for any creative to be a part of.”

As Edelman’s first-ever Global Creative Partner and Chief Creative Officer (Canada), Anthony drives creative innovation and strategic direction across more than 60 offices in lockstep with Judy John, the agency’s Global CCO.

Since joining Edelman Canada, Anthony has helped the company make history as the first PR agency in the country to win a Gold Lion at Cannes with IKEA SHT.

Throughout his career, Anthony has been a sought-after jury member in multiple international award shows. In a career milestone, Anthony became the first judge to represent Sri Lanka at Cannes Lions, showcasing his commitment to elevating diverse perspectives on the global stage. He has since represented Canada on numerous occasions. A champion of the younger generation, he often joins coaching and mentorship programs to help up-and-coming creatives develop confidence in their ideas.

Anthony’s work is known for its innovative approach to storytelling and brand strategy. When he’s not crafting game-changing ideas, Anthony can be found in his kitchen delighting his friends with his signature curries.

Other jurors on this panel are:

Rob is the Executive Producer and CEO of FINCH, one of the leading production companies in Australia and New Zealand. He is also co-founder of 36 Months, which led a national campaign to raise the minimum age of social media from 13 to 16 — the first law of its kind anywhere in the world.

Under Rob’s leadership, FINCH’s work won the very first SDG Grand Prix for The Lion’s Share, many Cannes Gold Lions, the first Branded Entertainment Lion, two D&AD Black Pencils, one White and many Yellow Pencils, Grands Prix at LIA, The New York Festivals, Spikes Asia and the Grand Lotus for Humanity at Adfest in Asia. FINCH’s work has also been nominated for an Oscar, several Emmys, an AACTA award and an ARIA award.

Rob is also co-founder of Songbird Studios, an independent production company that produces creatively ambitious documentaries. Their recent film, “Porcelain War”, has been recognized with honors including an Academy Awards® Nomination for Best Documentary and the Sundance U.S Documentary Grand Jury Prize.

Rob’s passion for innovation, and the lack of technology classes at his daughter’s school, inspired Rob to co-found Creatable, an education disruptor that aims to solve the lag between industry and education around the globe. Creatable’s initiative in Burundi involves teaching students science and technology through real-world solutions, such as how to make The Rocket Stove, a life-saving device that was adopted both by community on the ground, and as policy by the Burundi’s Ministry of Education.

As the Global Chief Creative Officer at 72andSunny, Matt drives a relentless pursuit of creativity, expanding the boundaries of innovation through art, technology, and entertainment. With an innate passion for experimentation, Matt continuously seeks fresh avenues to cultivate dynamic partnerships with brand collaborators.
 
His unwavering dedication to partnership has birthed extraordinary collaborations, from mobilizing millions of girls to code holiday trees on the esteemed grounds of the White House to transforming the mission of United Airlines, elevating its workforce into a formidable collective force for good. Notably, his visionary approach redefined the landscape of digital dating, culminating in the groundbreaking Tinder App venture, Swipe Night, seamlessly translating virtual connections into real-life encounters, igniting sparks that transcended the digital realm.

José Miguel Sokoloff is one of the most awarded creative leaders in the world — and one of the few who has used advertising to help end a war.

As President and Chief Creative Officer of Omnicom’s Unilever team, he leads the global relationship with Unilever, spanning strategy, creativity, and commercial accountability.

Born and raised in Colombia, José Miguel spent years developing campaigns for the Colombian government aimed at demobilizing FARC guerrilla fighters — work that helped persuade thousands of armed combatants to lay down their weapons and return to civilian life. Recognized with the industry’s highest honors across creativity and effectiveness, the work attracted global attention — featured on 60 Minutes and This American Life, and the subject of his TED Global talk. He was inducted into the Latin Talent Hall of Honor in 2024.

His conviction is that creativity is among the most powerful forms of soft power available to humanity — capable of shifting beliefs and opening doors that politics and force have failed to unlock.

When he is not in a boardroom or on a stage, he is on the road — logging the miles that remind him that progress, in any endeavor, is made one step at a time.

As Head of the Concept & Design Unit at the European Parliament’s Directorate-General for Communication, Tanja Rudolf leads the institution’s in-house creative and strategic communications function, helping shape how the Parliament connects with citizens across Europe.

With over 20 years of experience across advertising, marketing, and institutional communication, Tanja has played a central role in defining the European Parliament’s modern communication approach and pioneered its branding strategy.

In her previous capacity as Advisor to the Director-General of Communication, she developed the communication strategies for the 2019 and 2024 get out the vote campaigns for the European elections and oversaw their implementation across the European Union. The 2024 “Use Your Vote” campaign received multiple international accolades, including a Grand Prix for Creative Effectiveness at Eurobest, as well as awards at D&AD, The One Show, Epica and Effie Europe, among others —

recognition that is rare for a public institution and reflects the campaign’s scale and impact.

Born in Slovenia and raised in Singapore and Lebanon, Tanja brings an international perspective to her work, with a strong interest in how communication can strengthen democratic engagement across cultures.

Diane M. Foley is President and Founder of the James W. Foley Legacy Foundation, which she created in September 2014 less than a month after the public beheading by ISIS in Syria of her son James W. Foley, an American freelance conflict journalist.

In 2015, she led JWFLF efforts to fund the start of Hostage US and the International Alliance for a Culture of Safety, ACOS. She actively participated in the National Counter-terrorism Center hostage review which culminated in the Presidential Policy Directive-30. This directive created the current US hostage enterprise consisting of an inter-agency Hostage Recovery Fusion Cell, Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs, and a White House Hostage Response Group to free innocent Americans taken hostage or wrongfully detained abroad. JWFLF was instrumental in the passage of the Robert Levinson Hostage Taking and Accountability Act.

She has been a tireless hostage, wrongful detainee and family advocate within the US hostage enterprise, Congress, and every presidential administration since 2014. She has raised awareness of international hostage-taking and wrongful detention using the award-winning documentary, “Jim, the James Foley story”, opinion pieces in the New York Times, Washington Post and USA Today and media interviews.

Diane has spoken on the power of forgiveness in various faith communities and was included in 200 Women, edited by Geoff Blackwell.

She co-authored the book “American Mother” which was published in 2024 with writer Colum McCann. Diane is also the author of a chapter called, “Life For A Voice: the Work of Journalist James W. Foley through the Eyes of his Family” in Living with Precariousness, edited by Christina Lee and Susan Leong, which was published in 2023.

Previously, Diane worked as a community health nurse and as a family nurse practitioner for 18 years. She received both her undergraduate and master’s degrees from the University of New Hampshire.

She is active in her Roman Catholic parish of St Katherine Drexel in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire, where she lives with her husband, Dr. John W. Foley. She is the mother of five children.

New jury members will be announced as they are appointed.

Barbara Levy, President and Founder of LIA, added: “The advertising industry wields great power. When the same marketing and creative thinking and strategy that goes into selling a packaged good is used to shift public perception, champion dignity and fundamental human rights to a broader audience, it brings profound positive impact for lasting change on a global scale.”

Entry fee for this category is $250.00 USD

The LIA 2026 judging will be held at Encore @ Wynn Las Vegas from 25th September through 3rd October, 2026.

All judging will be done onsite. There is no pre-judging or shortlist jury. Every member of the jury will see all the work and decide which work to award, thus setting the creative benchmark for 2026.

The Entry system is now open.