AssetBundle_RTW_SirDavidAdjaye.zip

 - The third in a series of four films sees award-winning architect Sir David Adjaye OBE reimagine the four black stars from Accra’s Black Star Gate for the next generation
 - Each film explores the importance of creative play and debuts new work from world-renowned creators, inspired by the creativity of children
 - The films follow the creators’ process as they explore the unlimited creativity that can be unlocked through LEGO® play


AID213248GL_2021_RTW_CREATORS_SIRDAVID_STILL_16x9_1.jpg

**Wednesday, 24th March, 16:00 CET:** RIBA Royal Gold Medal-winning, Sir David Adjaye, has unveiled his latest work of art – a unique take on the  Black Star that stands above Accra’s Black Star Square, a symbol of Ghana’s independence that instils a sense of hope and respect. Made from over 12,000 LEGO® bricks, Sir David sought the input and ideas of children from a local orphanage he supports before crafting the sculpture. The children then added their own creative flair by helping Sir David with the finishing touches.

The resulting LEGO star is adorned with builds that showcase the children’s vision of a dynamic, futuristic city of the future. The film explores how Sir David’s creation was shaped by the children’s creativity as they showed him how they would Rebuild the World for their generation. By encouraging the children to bring their dreams and hopes to life through LEGO play, Sir David was inspired by the creative possibilities that come when given the freedom to build, unbuild and rebuild ideas with childlike curiosity.

AID213248GL_2021_RTW_CREATORS_SIRDAVID_STILL_16x9_2.jpg

Commenting on his new sculpture, Sir David said: “When designing a new building or monument, I absorb inspiration from the culture, architecture and tempo of the context I am working in. When working with these children I was moved by their optimistic take on the world and how it encourages them to create and be part of building a better future.”

One more film featuring a world-renowned creator from the field of music will be released in April. The first two films featuring award-winning US perspective artist Alexa Meade and stage and screen icon Billy Porter, can be viewed at [LEGO.com/RebuildtheWorld][1]. Each film explores how LEGO play helps inspire the creator to unleash their creativity in a new form to create something truly unique. 

The Rebuild the World campaign celebrates the creativity of children, inspires them to imagine a better world and showcases how play helps them develop vital skills such as self-confidence, resilience and collaboration. 


  [1]: https://www.LEGO.com/RebuildtheWorld

----------
For more information, contact [media@lego.com][1].


  [1]: mailto:media@lego.com

The third in a series of four films sees award-winning architect Sir David Adjaye OBE reimagine the four black stars from Accra’s Black Star Gate for the next generation.

Sir David Adjaye’s latest project inspired by the creativity of Ghanaian children

The third in a series of four films sees award-winning architect Sir David Adjaye OBE reimagine the four black stars from Accra’s Black Star Gate for the next generation. Each film explores the importance of creative play and debuts new work from world-renowned creators, inspired by the creativity of children. The films follow the creators’ process as they explore the unlimited creativity that can be unlocked through LEGO® play.

Rebuild the world Sir David Adjaye

LEGO_Braille_Bricks_Asset_Bundle.zip

2020_05_07_Lego_Braille_0007.jpg

The LEGO Foundation and the LEGO Group roll out the first wave of the program in partnership with local sight loss organizations to help children with vision impairment learn critical thinking, problem solving and collaboration through play.

2020_05_11_LEGO_Braille_0115.jpg

**Billund, August 20th 2020**: Today, the LEGO Foundation and the LEGO Group announced the official launch of LEGO Braille Bricks in seven countries, including Brazil, Denmark, France, Germany, Norway, UK and USA. The program was first unveiled as a pilot project in April 2019 during the Sustainable Brands Conference in Paris, France – home ground of Braille inventor, Louis Braille. Since then, the concept has been tested across various languages and cultural contexts and is ready to launch in six languages, including Danish, Norwegian, English, Portuguese, German and French. Four additional language versions will launch over the next six months, with the ambition that the concept will be implemented in a total of eleven languages across twenty countries by early 2021. 

LEGO Braille Bricks introduces a fun and engaging way to help children with vision impairment develop tactile skills and learn the braille system. The bricks are moulded so that the studs on top reflect individual letters and numbers in the Braille alphabet while remaining fully compatible with the LEGO System in Play. The bricks also feature printed letters, numbers and symbols so that they can be used simultaneously by sighted peers, classmates and teachers in a collaborative and inclusive way. 

2020_05_11_LEGO_Braille_0007.jpg

“With these Braille Bricks, the LEGO Foundation has created a totally new and engaging way for children with vision impairment to learn to read and write,” says **David Clarke, Director of Services at the Royal National Institute of Blind People**, which worked with the LEGO Foundation to develop and test the bricks in the UK. “Braille is an important tool, particularly for young people with vision impairment, and these cleverly designed bricks enable children to learn braille creatively while also engaging with their classmates in a fun and interactive way.”

The LEGO Braille Bricks toolkit is accompanied by a pedagogical concept that is based on Learning through Play and includes inspiration for brick-based activities to enhance learning and skill-development. All of the pedagogical materials are available at www.LEGObraillebricks.com, a dedicated website that offers inspiration for pre-braille and braille activities to promote Learning through Play. However, the LEGO Foundation also plans to work with teachers of the visually impaired to continue to develop the LEGO Braille Bricks concept, and is calling on teachers to submit more ideas to continuously expand the pool of activities. This interaction will be facilitated online in a Facebook group – LEGO Braille Bricks Community – where teachers can meet to share best practices, creative ideas and playful experiences with LEGO Braille Bricks.

“As an educator, I know LEGO Braille Bricks will be so helpful in bringing together different kinds of learners,” says **Paige Maynard, Teacher of the Visually Impaired and Developmental Interventionist at Visually Impaired Preschool Services in Louisville, KY.** “Students with visual impairments will be able to play and learn alongside their sighted peers. The bricks bring the joy of play into braille and tactile skills instruction. They help remind us that the most impactful and long-lasting learning occurs when children are actively engaged in activities they enjoy.” 

2020_05_07_Lego_Braille_0038.jpg

As LEGO Braille Bricks toolkits launch in each respective country, they will be distributed free of charge to select institutions, schools and services catering to the education of children with visual impairment. The LEGO Foundation will work together with Official Partners in each country to manage distribution of the toolkits and support localization and training of the teaching concept presented on [www.LEGOBrailleBricks.com][1]. 

Each kit will contain 300+ LEGO Braille Bricks covering the full alphabet in the chosen language, numbers 0-9, and select mathematical symbols and punctuation marks. It will be available in five LEGO colours and will also include three base plates and a brick separator. 

  [1]: http://www.LEGObraillebricks.com

“We are thrilled to launch the first wave of the LEGO Braille Bricks program and get the toolkits into the hands of children,” says **Stine Storm, Senior Play & Health Specialist at the LEGO Foundation**. “Throughout the testing and pilot program, we have received overwhelming support and positive feedback from children, parents, teachers and partner organizations who have experienced the LEGO Braille Bricks and see the potential of these toolkits to encourage learning in a new and exciting way. The possibilities for learning through play are endless, and we look forward to seeing how this can inspire children in their journey to learn braille.” 

The concept behind LEGO Braille Bricks was first proposed to the LEGO Foundation in 2011 by the Danish Association of the Blind and again in 2017 by the Brazilian-based Dorina Nowill Foundation for the Blind. Since then, it has been further shaped in close collaboration with Blind communities in Denmark, Brazil, UK, Norway, Germany, France and USA, where testing was conducted in two waves over the course of nearly two years. The first wave of LEGO Braille Bricks is now rolling out in those same countries and will launch in 13 additional countries in early 2021, including Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Finland, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the Netherlands. 


----------
 
For more information, please contact the LEGO Group press office: [media@LEGO.com][1]


----------


  [1]: mailto:media@LEGO.com

The LEGO Foundation aims to inspire and develop the builders of tomorrow, a mission that it shares with the LEGO Group. The LEGO Foundation is dedicated to building a future where learning through play empowers children to become creative, engaged, lifelong learners. Its work is about re-defining play and re-imagining learning. In collaboration with thought leaders, influencers, educators and parents, the LEGO Foundation aims to equip, inspire and activate champions for play. [www.LEGOFoundation.com][1] 


  [1]: http://www.LEGOFoundation.com

About the LEGO Foundation

LEGO® Braille Bricks to launch in twenty countries over the next six months following successful pilot program

lego AND bricks, lego AND product, lego AND blind, lego AND braille, lego AND foundation, lego AND braille AND bricks, lego AND kids, lego AND children, lego AND schools, lego AND visual AND impair

LEGO® Braille Bricks

National_Geographic_Asset_Bundle.zip

hero-block.jpg

New LEGO® City and LEGO® Friends products released as part of campaign to engage children in exploring their world and the problems its creatures are facing

41432_Lifestyle_cons.jpg

**Billund, Denmark, 25 June 2020**: Today, the LEGO Group and National Geographic unveil their most recent partnership. New LEGO® City and LEGO® Friends sets have been developed to create awareness about exploration and the protection of endangered species in the world’s jungles and oceans. To support the launch and engage children even further, a campaign has been developed in collaboration with National Geographic to encourage children to explore the world and maybe even develop their own creative ideas on solving the real-life challenges our world is facing. The campaign site is now live in English on [LEGO.com/exploretheworld][1] and will launch July 1st in additional languages. The LEGO Group is also announcing a contribution towards the National Geographic Society to fund grants in ocean exploration and species conservation. 

The campaign will invite kids and their parents to visit the heights and depths of the earth, and to learn about exploring our world and protecting wildlife in our oceans and jungles. This includes educational content about pandas, sharks, elephants, deep sea creatures and much more. To inspire kids to pursue creativity as a way to one day help protect the world’s wildlife, the campaign will portray stories from six different National Geographic Explorers who are working in creative, unexpected and surprising ways to help address real-life problems that our planet is facing. National Geographic Elephant Ecologist, Dominique Gonçalves, is one of the explorers sharing her personal story about how she needed a creative solution to stop elephants eating food from villages in Mozambique. Her story shows that even the simplest ideas can make a big difference. Knowing that elephants are scared of bees, she implemented a system of rope fences with beehives attached so the bees now safely guide the elephants away. By seeing these stories, kids and parents will see that many of the world’s challenges can be impacted by using creativity. 


  [1]: http://www.LEGO.com/exploretheworld

60263_City_2HY20_cons.jpg

The LEGO® Friends and LEGO® City sets have been developed to provide a strong foundation for kids to creatively express their passion for our planet and exploration, while giving them an opportunity to further explore and learn about the ups and downs animals are facing in the wild. Both play themes are based on real-life settings, and supported by the campaign site, children are well placed to learn about life as an explorer through play. 

“We know that creativity is an incredible skill, and the 21st century needs all the creative problem-solving it can get.” Says Ellen Catherine Lucy Bowley, LEGO Friends Designer, the LEGO Group. “Caring for our planet is becoming ever more relevant to kids around the world. They are more committed to seeing positive environmental change than any previous generation, and their creativity will play a key role in finding solutions that will help better protect our wildlife. We hope this initiative will inform children of the current challenges explorers are facing and reassure them that even the most simple or unusual idea can make a big difference in the real world. The most important thing is to have a YES YOU CAN attitude. Therefore, this initiative is dedicated to kids with this exact attitude, children who are curious to learn and make a difference for our wildlife.”  

Paul Rose, a National Geographic Ocean Explorer who began his journey as a creative child and today explores the ocean in unexpected ways is also featured on the campaign site. He says “As a kid I loved swimming and building things - I lived for making soap-box carts and being in the sea! Even on the coldest, roughest days, I would spend hours in the water imagining myself as a diver exploring the ocean. Amazingly, that dream has come true and, as a National Geographic Ocean Explorer, I now lead marine science expeditions to help protect our threatened ocean. It’s so cool to be able to share my story with kids all over the world and who knows, by following their own dreams, a lot of them could end up stepping into my fins to help explore and protect our ocean one day!”

The LEGO Group and National Geographic have a well-established relationship, previously having collaborated on wildlife awareness sets such as LEGO® Friends Sea Life Rescue and LEGO® City Jungle sets. However, this is the first time the two brands are partnering on a campaign that seeks to inspire kids to think creatively – not only is it fun, but it may result in a creative solution that can one day help explore and protect our planet. 


----------


The LEGO Friends and LEGO City sets are now available globally and on [LEGO.com][1] and from August 1st in the Americas. 

The campaign developed in collaboration with National Geographic is now live in English on [LEGO.com/exploretheworld][2] and will launch July 1st in additional languages. 


----------
##About the National Geographic Society##

The National Geographic Society is a global nonprofit organization committed to exploring and protecting our planet. We fund hundreds of research and conservation projects around the world each year and inspire new generations through our education initiatives and resources. For more information, visit [nationalgeographic.org][3].

----------

## About National Geographic ##
National Geographic has been igniting the explorer in all of us for 132 years through groundbreaking storytelling from the best and brightest scientists, explorers, photographers, and filmmakers in the world. Our yellow border serves as a portal to explore the farthest reaches of the Earth and beyond. Places only National Geographic can take you. 

We offer our audience true 360 experiences across an unparalleled portfolio of media assets: television channels, magazines, kids, travel, books, video, events, and digital and social platforms. Every asset and every story entertains, enlightens, and enables people to better understand the world and their own place in it – our core purpose. We reach millions of people around the world, with our television networks in 172 countries and [our publications available in 41 languages][4]. 

National Geographic Partners is a joint venture between The Walt Disney Company and the National Geographic Society. We return 27% of our proceeds to the nonprofit Society to fund work in the areas of science, exploration, conservation, and education. This unique partnership creates a virtuous cycle of storytelling and exploration that inspires people to act, enlightens their perspective, and often provides the spark to new ideas and innovation. 


  [1]: http://www.LEGO.com
  [2]: http://www.LEGO.com/exploretheworld
  [3]: http://www.nationalgeographic.org
  [4]: https://www.nationalgeographicpartners.com/international-media-alliances/

Notes to Editors

hero-block-2.jpg

The LEGO Group and National Geographic inspire kids to develop creative solutions for real life environmental challenges

lego AND partnerships,lego AND national geographic,lego AND news 2020,lego 2020,lego AND environment, lego AND exploration, lego AND planet, lego AND conservation

LEGO Group and National Geographic Partnership

720_Braille-Bricks_child_1.jpg

**Motivated by stories and ideas from blind people around the world, the LEGO Foundation and LEGO Group will pilot a grassroots innovation that can help blind and visually impaired children learn through play using LEGO® bricks.**

Paris, France April 24: Today, the LEGO Foundation and LEGO Group will announce their support of a pioneering project that will help blind and visually impaired children learn Braille in a playful and engaging way using Braille customised LEGO® bricks. The project, LEGO Braille Bricks, will be unveiled today at the Sustainable Brands Conference in Paris, France.

The concept behind LEGO Braille Bricks was first proposed to the LEGO Foundation in 2011 by the Danish Association of the Blind and again in 2017 by the Brazilian-based Dorina Nowill Foundation for the Blind. It has since been further shaped in close collaboration among blind associations from Denmark, Brazil, UK, and Norway and the first prototypes are now in those same countries for concept testing.

“With thousands of audiobooks and computer programs now available, fewer kids are learning to read Braille,” said Philippe Chazal, Treasurer of the European Blind Union. “This is particularly critical when we know that Braille users often are more independent, have a higher level of education and better employment opportunities. We strongly believe LEGO Braille Bricks can help boost the level of interest in learning Braille, so we’re thrilled that the LEGO Foundation is making it possible to further this concept and bring it to children around the world.”

LEGO Braille Bricks will be moulded with the same number of studs used for individual letters and numbers in the Braille alphabet, while remaining fully compatible with the LEGO System in Play. To ensure the tool is inclusive allowing sighted teachers, students and family members to interact on equal terms, each brick will also feature a printed letter or character. This ingenious combination brings a whole new and playful approach to get blind and visually impaired children interested in learning Braille, enabling them to develop a breadth of skills needed to thrive and succeed in a fast-paced world.

LEGO Group Senior Art Director, Morten Bonde, who suffers from a genetic eye disorder that is gradually turning him blind, worked as an internal consultant on the project. Morten currently has 4-degree sight left but is determined not to let his loss of sight limit him.

“Experiencing reactions from both students and teachers to LEGO Braille Bricks has been hugely inspirational and reminded me that the only limitations I will meet in life are those I create in my mind. The children’s level of engagement and their interest in being independent and included on equal terms in society is so evident. I am moved to see the impact this product has on developing blind and visually impaired children’s academic confidence and curiosity already in its infant days.”

The product is currently being tested in Danish, Norwegian, English and Portuguese, while German, Spanish and French will be tested in Q3 2019. The final LEGO Braille Bricks kit is expected to launch in 2020 and will be distributed free of charge to select institutions through participating partner networks in the markets where testing is being carried out with partners. It will contain approximately 250 LEGO Braille Bricks covering the full alphabet, numbers 0-9, select math symbols and inspiration for teaching and interactive games.

“Blind and visually impaired children have dreams and aspirations for their future just as sighted children” said John Goodwin, CEO of the LEGO Foundation. “They have the same desire and need to explore the world and socialise through play, but often face involuntary isolation as a consequence of exclusion from activities. In the LEGO Foundation, we believe children learn best through play and in turn develop the breadth of skills, such as creativity, collaboration and communication, that they need in the post 4th Industrial Revolution. With this project, we are bringing a playful and inclusive approach to learning Braille to children. I hope children, parents, caregivers, teachers and practitioners worldwide will be as excited as we are, and we can’t wait to see the positive impact.” 

**FACTS:**
WHO estimates that on global level 19 million children are vision impaired. Of these approx. 1.4 million children have irreversible blindness.
 Around 75% of European adults with a sight disability are unemployed. For the whole group of people with disabilities in Europe, 53% are unemployed. Unemployment is closely linked to discrimination, poverty and social exclusion (source: European Disability Forum and European Blind Union)
In the United States only 10% of blind children are learning to read Braille, compared with over 50% in the 1950s (National Federation of the Blind report). However according to the American Printing House for the Blind, there’s indication that the trend is finally moving forward with the public regaining faith in the relevance of learning Braille despite advanced digital aids for blind
Children with disabilities often face difficulties in the school system, because there are not enough resources (source: European disability Forum and Human Rights Watch)
 

**About the LEGO Foundation**
The LEGO Foundation aims to inspire and develop the builders of tomorrow; a mission that it shares with the LEGO Group. The LEGO Foundation is dedicated to building a future where learning through play empowers children to become creative, engaged, lifelong learners. Its work is about re-defining play and re-imagining learning. In collaboration with thought leaders, influencers, educators and parents the LEGO Foundation aims to equip, inspire and activate champions for play. www.LEGOFoundation.com 


----------


**About the LEGO Group**
The LEGO Group’s mission is to inspire and develop the builders of tomorrow through the power of play. The LEGO System in Play, with its foundation in LEGO bricks, allows children and fans to build and rebuild anything they can imagine.
The LEGO Group was founded in Billund, Denmark in 1932 by Ole Kirk Kristiansen, its name derived from the two Danish words LEg GOdt, which mean “Play Well”.
Today, the LEGO Group remains a family-owned company headquartered in Billund. However, its products are now sold in more than 140 countries worldwide. For more information: www.LEGO.com

For more information, please contact: media@LEGO.com

720_Braille-Bricks_close-up_3.jpg

Motivated by stories and ideas from blind people around the world, the LEGO Foundation and LEGO Group will pilot a grassroots innovation that can help blind and visually impaired children learn through play using LEGO® bricks.

We have teamed up with blind associations to pilot LEGO® Braille Bricks

The LEGO Foundation and the LEGO Group team up with blind associations to pilot LEGO® Braille Bricks and develop children's breadth of skills

Welcome to our LEGO® newsroom

Stay up to date with recent stories, browse our news archive, download images, videos and reports or get in touch with our global press office.

Press releases_AdvQuicklink_01.png

Press releases

Press  releases

LEGO Stories_AdvQuicklink_01.jpg

LEGO® Stories

LEGO Voices_AdvQuicklink_01.jpg

LEGO® Voices

Media enquiries_AdvQuicklink_01.jpg

Media enquiries

Assets for media_AdvQuicklink_01.jpg

Assets for media

This is the latest news

Annual Results 2024 16 9.png

See all assets

Find all our annual and sustainability  reports here.

Reports

LEGO production assets_01.jpg

This is where the fun begins! Watch how our bricks come to life.

Production assets

LEGO headquarters, hubs & offices assets_01.jpg

Get a glimpse behind the scenes and see where we hang out.

Headquarters, hubs & offices assets

LEGO Brand, logos & portfolio.jpg

Need our logo? You’re just a click away.

Brand, logos & portfolio assets

LEGO Stores assets.jpg

Take a look at some of the coolest LEGO stores in the world.

Stores assets

Jiaxing-solar-panels.jpg

We work hard to play our part in building a sustainable future.

Sustainability assets

LEGO Headshots.jpg

Say cheese! View and download our selection of headshots here.

Headshots & portraits

LEGO House assets_02.jpg

Explore all assets from our “Home of the Brick” experience center.

LEGO® House assets

start

Find regional and local media contacts

LEGO_CBC_2024_12091.jpg

If you are a journalist, please contact our global press office team at [media@lego.com][1].

For all non-journalist enquiries relating to order status, missing bricks or building instructions, please contact [customer service][2].

For enquiries about business opportunities, charity, product ideas or projects and theses, please check our [contact information][3].


  [1]: mailto:media@lego.com
  [2]: https://www.lego.com/service
  [3]: https://www.lego.com/aboutus/lego-group/contact

Press releases_01.jpg

Explore now

Find our latest press releases and browse through our news archive.

Press releases

LEGO Stories_02.jpg

Dive into our most amazing behind-the-scenes stories about LEGO® bricks and people.

LEGO Voices_02.jpg

Meet our colleagues and discover the topics that are close to our hearts - and those of children.

Themes_01.jpg

Sort by theme

Find all announcements related to themes like LEGO® Fortnite, LEGO® Friends or LEGO® City.

Themes

Interests_01.jpg

Sort by interest

Find all announcement about topics like art, botanicals and space.

Interests

Find The LEGO Group press releases, latest company news, product announcements and assets at the LEGO® Newsroom.