Pontifical Academy of Sciences, Vatican City – October, 2025

VATICAN CITY — On October 22, 2025, Ukrainian photographer, cultural diplomat, and Founder of Faces of Impact Artem Shestakov delivered a powerful keynote at the 10th Anniversary Edition of the World Changers Summit, held at the historic Pontifical Academy of Sciences, Vatican City.

Themed “Transcendence: Unveiling the Future of Humanity,” the summit gathered global leaders, scientists, entrepreneurs, and visionaries to explore the intersection of ethics, innovation, and humanity’s shared future.

Shestakov’s address, “Faces of Impact: Shaping Tomorrow Through the Power of Human Stories,” resonated deeply with attendees — blending art, storytelling, and purpose into a unified vision for positive global transformation.

A Journey from Lens to Legacy

Opening his speech, Shestakov reflected on his beginnings as a photographer who has journeyed from the “frozen silence of Antarctica to the green heart of the Amazon.” Through his camera, he said, he discovered that “every landscape is connected to a human story — stories of courage, creativity, and compassion.”

That realization became the foundation for Faces of Impact, a global cultural platform he founded to celebrate and connect changemakers working to improve lives across the planet.

Faces of Impact: A Movement of Purpose

Describing Faces of Impact as “part art, part movement, and part community,” Shestakov explained how it amplifies voices driving progress in fields such as climate, health, education, youth, and culture.  “Our idea is simple,” he said. “When we celebrate good, we inspire more good.”

Unlike traditional recognition models, Faces of Impact focuses not on fame, but on purpose — living by the motto “Impact over Influence.” “True leadership,” Shestakov emphasized, “is not about standing above others — it’s about lifting others up.”

Recognition as a Catalyst for Change

Shestakov illustrated how Faces of Impact turns recognition into action: “Each portrait, each story, and each event connects people who might never have met — and those connections grow into collaborations that create real change.” By giving changemakers confidence, visibility, and community, the platform transforms appreciation into empowerment.

Looking Forward

Each Faces of Impact initiative reinforces the same mission — to celebrate and connect the people shaping a more compassionate, sustainable, and inspired world. Beyond storytelling, Faces of Impact continues to grow as a global cultural platform — through its annual Faces of Impact 100 list, Faces of Impact Magazine, Book Series, Gala, and Art Exhibitions that bring together changemakers from every corner of the world.

At the heart of this vision is the belief that recognition fuels transformation — that by shining a light on those advancing humanity across the five vital pillars of Environment, Health, Youth, Culture, and Innovation, we can spark collective progress. Closing his address, Shestakov left the audience with a timeless reflection: “Technology can make us faster, but only compassion makes us wiser. Progress can build bridges, but only empathy makes us cross them.”

About Faces of Impact

Faces of Impact is a next-generation cultural institution and NGO celebrating changemakers shaping the future of humanity. Through storytelling, art, and cross-sector collaboration, it connects leaders and innovators from around the world to amplify positive impact and inspire collective action.