The winners of BNP Paribas Wealth Management's International Awards for Philanthropy were announced at a gala dinner in Paris this week. The awards recognise people from around the world for their initiative and commitment to achieving social change.

Now in its ninth year, previous awards have celebrated the work of major philanthropists including Dr Mo Ibrahim, Shiv Nadar and Viviane Senna.

The 2016 'Grand Prix' winner was Ed Scott, a philanthropist who created the Center for Global Development to help carry out research towards formulating solutions for how government policies can help fight poverty and disease. He created Friends of the Global Fight against AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria in order to help support and lobby for the funding of the Global Fund. Together with Bill Gates and George Soros he created DATA (Debt, AIDS, Trade, Africa) to provide a platform for Bono and other celebrities to advocate that the U.S. Government and public support development efforts. Meanwhile Ed has extended his philanthropy beyond global development to other realms, including founding the innovative Scott Center for Autism Treatment at the Florida Institute of Technology. 

The 'Special Prize' winner was Yann Borgstedt, President and Founder of not-for-profit Womanity which aims to create lasting and positive change for women and girls. He won a €50,000 prize for his organisation.

From everyone at Boncerto, congratulations to the winners of this year's awards!