The Diamond Empowerment Fund has announced the recipients of its 2018 ‘Diamonds Do Good’ Awards, to be presented at the D.E.F. annual gala on May 31st at the Four Seasons Ballroom in Las Vegas.
The government of Canada’s Northwest Territories (NWT) will receive the Diamonds Do Good Responsible Government Award and Bruce Cleaver, CEO of De Beers Group, will receive the Diamonds Do Good Professional Advancement Award.
Located in Canada, the 3rd largest diamond producing country in the world, the NWT is home to major diamond mines including Ekati, Diavik, and Gahcho Kué. The NWT government has a robust mineral development strategy that protects the environment, enhances indigenous engagement and community capacity building, promotes sustainability and leverages a local workforce; all while fostering attractive investment opportunities for the benefit of the local communities.
Named CEO of De Beers Group in July 2016, Bruce Cleaver has committed the entire organisation to the advancement of women and girls. Under his leadership, De Beers has partnered with UN Women to achieve parity in the appointment of women and men in senior leadership roles across De Beers by 2020, invest in women microentrepreneurs and STEM students in its diamond producing countries, and ensure De Beers’ brands are a positive force for supporting gender equality through all its marketing campaigns. In recognition of this commitment, Cleaver was named by UN Women as a ‘HeForShe’ Thematic Champion.
HeForShe is the UN’s global movement for acceleration of gender equality.
“The recipients of this year’s Diamonds Do Good Awards reflect the ongoing positive impact being fostered by the diamond industry around the world,” said Diamond Empowerment Fund president Anna Martin, also senior vice president of Gemological Institute of America. “Sharing these stories with our customers is not only good for business, it is a responsibility for the entire industry.”