Merck Foundation Celebrates World Art Day 2025 with Innovative Initiatives
In celebration of World Art Day 2025, the Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, marked the occasion through its Film, Song, Media, and Fashion Awards. This event was conducted in partnership with Africa’s First Ladies, highlighting the foundation’s commitment to using art and fashion as powerful tools for raising awareness and addressing critical social and health issues.
The Merck Foundation has established a dynamic community known as “Art and Fashion with Purpose”, led by Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej, the CEO of the foundation. Dr. Kelej emphasized the transformative role of art, fashion, and media in creating a cultural shift within communities. She noted that these mediums are not just aesthetic expressions but are crucial for education and advocacy.
As part of this initiative, the Merck Foundation launched several groundbreaking projects, including the pan-African TV program “Our Africa by Merck Foundation”. This program uniquely highlights pressing issues across the continent through the voices of African artists and experts. The themes explored include infertility stigma, gender-based violence, girl education, and health awareness.
The foundation also announced the 2025 editions of its major awards, recognizing outstanding contributions by media, fashion designers, filmmakers, and musicians who address issues like diabetes, hypertension, child marriage, and women’s empowerment. In collaboration with African First Ladies, the foundation has produced over 30 multilingual songs, 8 children’s storybooks, and animated films to promote health and social equity at the grassroots level.
The Merck Foundation remains committed to improving social and health outcomes for communities in need, while maintaining a strict non-political stance. Through its initiatives, the foundation continues to leverage creativity as a powerful tool for advocacy, education, and fostering cultural shifts across Africa and beyond.
Team V.3-UAE
