Guy Laliberté, Founder

Long before Cirque du Soleil became the company you know today, we were a group of young entertainers and dreamers who presented our acts in the streets. As time passed, our dream to stimulate the imagination of audiences all over the world became a reality because – among other reasons – people with means and influence took a chance on us in spite of our youth, our image and our profession as itinerant acrobats.

Since Cirque du Soleil has acquired the means to make our dreams a reality that we have spread a little all over the world, we have chosen to join with communities and a growing number of individuals to work together to build a better world. Until very recently, we sought little publicity for our citizenship activities, preferring to take a back seat to the achievements of our partners in social and cultural action. We are now taking a more prominent public role in an effort to inspire other companies and individuals to make a similar commitment to citizenship.

When we think of the world of tomorrow we want to put the inspiration and energy that drive our shows at the service of the pursuit of our dream to improve the living conditions of all human beings, no matter where they may be. With this in mind I have personally chosen to commit myself to the cause of access to water. My hope is that Cirque du Soleil will be a shining example of taking collective responsibility for the worldwide water crisis. The values underpinning the creation of the ONE DROP Foundation are the same values that have inspired me since the start of my adventure with Cirque du Soleil—namely, the desire to share and the conviction that life pays you back what you've given to it and that even the smallest gesture on our part can make a huge difference.