Gold Mercury Award 2024 to Sergio Scapagnini and the ‘Street Children’ of the World.
Gold Mercury International Honours Sergio Scapagnini with Humanitarian Award for His Lifelong Commitment to Children’s causes and the Rights of Street Children. The Award Ceremony took place at the Apanjan and Anandaghar Homes for Children in Kolkata, India on the 8th of December 2024.
Two hundred million children around the world rely on the streets for survival—whether by living on them, working there, or seeking refuge in their shadows. Humanitarian and filmmaker, Sergio ‘Kaka’ Scapagnini, has devoted his life to addressing their plight.
Sergio Scapagnini winner Gold Mercury Award 2024 for his Humanitarian work for the ‘street children’ around the world.
London, 8th December 2024 – Gold Mercury International, the global governance think tank and Award, is proud to present its Humanitarian Affairs award to Sergio Scapagnini, Italian philanthropist, author, and film producer, in recognition of his exceptional dedication to supporting street children in India and worldwide. For over forty years, Mr. Scapagnini has devoted his life to promoting the welfare, dignity, and opportunities of society’s most vulnerable children, through impactful projects, notable collaborations, and a visionary commitment to humanitarian causes.
Through the years, Scapagnini has collaborated with humanitarian icons, including Mother Teresa of Calcutta, the Dalai Lama, and Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus, in initiatives aimed at aiding destitute children and supporting leprosy patients in Indore, Kolkata, Dharamsala, Bhubaneswar, New Delhi, and Periavillai. Most notably, following the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, he led efforts to build over 500 homes for survivors in Tamil Nadu, providing vital infrastructure and stability for affected communities. His relentless efforts continue to inspire and make an indelible impact on the lives of thousands.
Nicolas De Santis Cuadra, President, Gold Mercury International
As honorary President of AMAsempre, an Italy-based NGO dedicated to street children, Scapagnini has contributed both operational and financial support to numerous projects since 1997. His partnership with Kallol Ghosh, founder of the Apanjan and Anandaghar projects, has been instrumental in providing housing, education, and healthcare for disadvantaged children across Kolkata, West Bengal, and beyond. These programs have had far-reaching effects, including the establishment of Café Positive, Asia’s first café run entirely by HIV-positive staff, which combats HIV stigma while offering employment opportunities.
Additionally, Scapagnini has been a key supporter of the ATMAJA programme, an initiative under Anandaghar that provides vital assistance to HIV-positive expectant mothers. The ATMAJA programme aims to eliminate vertical transmission of HIV from mother to child in India by offering comprehensive medical and educational support. Through a specialised protocol, ATMAJA ensures HIV-positive mothers receive the necessary treatment to enable the birth of HIV-free children, giving hope and life-changing opportunities to these families.
In his acceptance of the Gold Mercury Award, Mr. Scapagnini has chosen to dedicate this honour to the street children he advocates for, underscoring their strength and resilience. “This recognition is more than a celebration; it is a rallying cry,” he stated. “We must all step forward in support of these children and their right to a future where they are valued, protected, and free to dream.”
Aryan Badkul, star of the film Parikrama, accepting the Award on behalf of the street children of the world.
Mr. Scapagnini’s efforts extend to storytelling, where he brings awareness to these vital issues through his art. Scapagnini authored “The Story of Lala”, an epic tale following the journey of a street child. Alongside acclaimed director Goutam Ghose, Scapagnini adapted this book into the feature film “Parikrama”, produced by Indrapur Cinematografica, La Luna, Life Journey Films Production, RH Media, Trikut Films, and Big Sur, in collaboration with RAI Cinema. The film has received widespread support from organisations including the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting of India, NFDC, FFO India, the Department of Tourism of Madhya Pradesh, the Italian Ministry of Culture, and Regione Campania.
“Sergio’s work shines a light on the forgotten and most vulnerable among us,” said Nicolas De Santis Cuadra, President of Gold Mercury International. “His unyielding commitment to street children exemplifies what it means to serve humanity with compassion, courage, and dignity. Sergio has inspired countless others, and through his work, he offers hope to future generations.”
Gautam Ghose, Indian film Director and Chairman of the Kolkata Film Festival.
Gold Mercury International is honoured to recognise Sergio Scapagnini’s achievements and his lifetime of dedication to the cause of street children. This award is a testament to his impactful legacy and a call to action for global communities to ensure that every child can grow, thrive, and envision a brighter future.
“Gold Mercury International has decided to honour Sergio Scapagnini for his relentless dedication to uplifting the most vulnerable in our society — the children who live and must learn to survive on the streets. These children, who call the vast megacities and sprawling urban landscapes of our planet their home, face extraordinary hardships every day. By awarding this honour, we amplify their voices, shedding light on their plight and calling on global society to take action. We carry the urgent message of their suffering and resilience to the world, hoping to inspire meaningful change for their future.”