Global Action Awards honor high school students in the United States who have organized and led a project that has impacted people in poor countries, or raised awareness about global poverty in their own communities.

The Awards celebrate young people who have shown great leadership in areas such as preventing HIV/AIDS, alleviating hunger and improving access to education. 

Each year, a prestigious panel of judges reviews applicants on the basis of innovation, cooperation, leadership, inspiration and impact. The honorees are awarded $5,000 for college or a charitable cause of their choice.

Goals of the Global Action Awards:

• Celebrate the achievements of high school students who are fighting global poverty.
• Inspire young people to follow in the footsteps of honorees and become global citizens.
• Support the education and future projects of honorees.
• Build a movement of young people who are lifelong champions of the world's poor.

The event, held at The Allen Room, Frederick P. Rose Hall, Home of Jazz at Lincoln Center, was chaired by famed music producer Quincy Jones and emceed by MTV News Correspondent SuChin Pak. The night's impressive speakers, who included human rights activist Kerry Kennedy, were complemented by the electrifying musical performances of Angelique Kidjo and Thomas Mapfumo. 

>>> View Highlights from 2005 Event

On the evening of December 2, 2004, NetAid joined more than 250 friends to celebrate the achievements of four young Americans who have taken extraordinary actions to fight global poverty.

>>> View Highlights from 2004 Event