The World Around began in 2019 as a collaboration between architecture curator Beatrice Galilee and art and design advocate and collector Diego Marroquin. Their shared vision was to create a platform to spotlight the most compelling ideas in architecture and design from around the world: architecture’s now, near and next. The inaugural ‘Summit’ was held at the TimesCenter in New York in January 2020 to great impact. Later that year, influenced by the global pandemic, The World Around became an independent nonprofit organization led by an impactful board of directors formed of philanthropists, strategists and makers including board chairman Adam Flatto, Elizabeth Diller and Vishaan Chakrabarti. Beatrice Galilee remains founder and Executive Director and Diego Marroquin is Chairman Emeritus.

A committed team of creative producers, editors, and strategists has shaped the organization’s voice and impact since its foundation. Satomi Blair, who was part of the original 2020 production team, joined formally as Executive Producer later that year. Ana Minujín, a filmmaker and creative producer, and Dan Howarth, a writer, editor, and consultant, both joined in 2021 and were instrumental in founding and conceiving The World Around’s Young Climate Prize program. Laxmi Andrews, based in London, came on board in 2023 and leads all communications and messaging across the organization. In 2024, Milena Sales joined as Director of Development and External Affairs, bringing strategic leadership to partnerships and fundraising. 

The World Around is a curator-led platform and so all speakers are the result of independent research by our world-class team of curators, advisors and collaborators. However, we welcome proposals and opportunities to get to know our wider community. If you'd like to make a proposal, please contact: hello@theworldaround.org

We welcome interest from cultural partners, sponsors, and like-minded organizations. If you’d like to support the Summit or explore partnership opportunities, please email: partnerships@theworldaround.org

The World Around's Young Climate Prize cultivates a powerful international community of changemakers, whose lived experience and creative vision drive tangible, scalable climate solutions around the world. Since its launch in 2022, the program has supported 50 young innovators from 35 countries, working on solutions ranging from waste management and alternative fuel sources to material innovation and even birdwatching.

Explore more on the Young Climate Prize page or email us at ycp@theworldaround.org