Building Purposeful Collaboration
Across Continents

Celebrated annually now, the goal of this globally-recognized day is to elevate play as central to children’s learning and wellbeing.

Emboldened by their new team purpose, the GPA team created and led a coalition of 28 global entities, including NGOs and other commercial organizations (even major competitors) to support this important project which aligned so completely with the purpose of both the team and the LEGO Group and LEGO Foundation. Working closely with UNICEF, a key UN partner, every member of the GPA team engaged in a diplomatic dance to gain consensus across multiple governments, achieving a remarkable co-sponsorship of around 140 countries to successfully support this important resolution.

When asked what made this seemingly impossible project successful, the leaders of the GPA team, Ed Lewin and Claire Thwaites, identified 4 key aspects:

1. The Team Purpose to Impact® program, which was the launch pad and catalyst, creating space to conceive the project
2. Great partners at the LEGO Group and LEGO Foundation who supported and resourced the project, as well as likeminded partners in industry and civil society
3. The existing global need to support children who don’t have the time or space to play
4. Belief in universal goodwill and the importance of this project, which gave them the courage and drive to carry on when this marathon effort felt overwhelming.