Mumbai: London International Awards (LIA) has announced the introduction of a new Democracy and Human Rights category, developed in collaboration with the European Parliament. The category will feature 10 sub-categories and aims to recognise creative work that promotes and strengthens democratic values worldwide.
The new category will honour ideas and communications that inspire engagement around human rights, freedom of expression, fair representation, accountability, and the fundamental freedoms that enable democracy to thrive. The European Parliament has played a key role in shaping the framework of this initiative.
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.”
The inaugural jury will be led by Anthony Chelvanathan, Global Creative Partner at Edelman and Chief Creative Officer, Edelman Canada. Commenting on his role, he said, “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.”
Other jurors on the panel include Rob Galluzzo, 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 landmark national campaign to raise the minimum age for social media use from 13 to 16—the first law of its kind globally. Under his leadership, FINCH has earned significant global recognition, including the first-ever SDG Grand Prix for The Lion’s Share, multiple Cannes Gold Lions, a Branded Entertainment Lion, D&AD Black Pencils, and top honours across LIA, The New York Festivals, Spikes Asia, and Adfest. His work has also received nominations at the Oscars, Emmys, AACTA, and ARIA Awards. Galluzzo is also co-founder of Songbird Studios, known for producing ambitious documentaries such as Porcelain War, which earned an Academy Award nomination and the Sundance U.S. Documentary Grand Jury Prize. Additionally, he co-founded Creatable, an education initiative addressing the gap between industry and learning, with impactful programs such as its Burundi project teaching practical science and technology solutions.
Also on the jury is Matt Murphy, Global Chief Creative Officer at 72andSunny, who is known for pushing creative boundaries across art, technology, and entertainment. His work has driven notable collaborations, including initiatives at the White House encouraging girls to code and transformative campaigns for brands like United Airlines. He also played a key role in redefining digital engagement through Tinder’s Swipe Night, blending storytelling with interactive user experiences.
José Miguel Sokoloff, President and Chief Creative Officer of Omnicom Team Unilever, is among the most awarded creative leaders globally and is widely recognised for using advertising as a force for social change. Originally from Colombia, he led impactful campaigns for the Colombian government that contributed to the demobilisation of FARC guerrilla fighters, helping thousands return to civilian life. His work has been featured on platforms such as 60 Minutes, This American Life, and TED Global, and he was inducted into the Latin Talent Hall of Honor in 2024. He continues to champion creativity as a powerful form of soft influence capable of driving meaningful societal change.
The panel also features Tanja Rudolf, Head of the Concept & Design Unit at the European Parliament. With over two decades of experience, she leads the Parliament’s in-house creative and communications strategy, shaping how it engages with citizens across Europe. She has been instrumental in developing major voter engagement campaigns, including the award-winning 2024 “Use Your Vote” initiative, which received international recognition across Eurobest, D&AD, The One Show, and Effie Europe. Bringing a global perspective shaped by her multicultural background, Rudolf focuses on strengthening democratic engagement through communication.
Completing the panel is Diane Foley, President and Founder of the James W. Foley Legacy Foundation. She established the foundation in 2014 following the tragic death of her son, journalist James Foley, and has since been a leading advocate for hostages and wrongful detainees. Her efforts contributed to key policy developments, including the U.S. hostage recovery framework and the Robert Levinson Hostage Taking and Accountability Act. Through advocacy, media, and storytelling—including the documentary Jim: The James Foley Story and her book American Mother—she continues to raise global awareness around human rights and the power of resilience and forgiveness.
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.”
Entries for the new category are priced at $250 USD. The LIA 2026 judging will take place at Encore at Wynn Las Vegas from September 25 to October 3, 2026. All judging will be conducted onsite, with no pre-judging or shortlist jury, ensuring that every juror evaluates all entries and collectively sets the creative benchmark for the year.
