Look To The Stars News: UNICEF

Jude Law's Peace Tour

Fri, 05 Sep 2008 15:30:00 -0000

Jude Law returned to Afghanistan earlier this week for a two-day mission in support of Peace One Day and UNICEF.

Film director and Peace One Day founder Jeremy Gilley was also on-hand, encouraging people to once again observe Peace Day on September 21st as part of Peace One Day’s global campaign for ceasefires and non-violence.

While in Kabul, the pair screened a new documentary, The Day After Peace, about how ordinary people in Afghanistan are working towards an end to the conflict.

The documentary shows the events that took place in Afghanistan in September of 2007, and highlights the support from UNICEF and the World Health Organization. The two groups have immunized 1.4 million children against polio, with last September seeing more than 10,000 vaccinators visiting insecure areas of the country as part of a ‘National Immunization Days’ polio immunization campaign.

“This is about saving lives despite anyone’s political beliefs. We hope to see the same commitments that we saw last year from all parties to the conflict. Our goal is to reach every child in Afghanistan,” said said UNICEF Representative in Afghanistan Catherine Mbengue.

Peace One Day supporters will celebrate 21 September with a special concert at the Royal Albert Hall in London featuring Annie Lennox, Bryan Adams and John Legend. Law is also scheduled to attend as one of the special guests. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the Peace One Day website.

Said Law: “The message is simple. What will you do to make peace on 21 September?”

Shakira Wins Humanitarian Award

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 14:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Colombian pop star Shakira proved hips don’t lie when she received an ALMA award on Sunday for the humanitarian work she has been doing for Latin America’s impoverished children.

The American Latino Media Arts awards – hosted by Eva Longoria – celebrated the achievements of Latin American performers, with accolades going to America Ferrera, Linda Ronstadt, and Charlie Sheen.

Shakira, who is a UNICEF Ambassador and recently took part in concerts to bring a stop to civil unrest in Colombia, received the award for her work to improve the lives of children in Colombia and Latin America.

“I feel unworthy to accept this award because we have only scratched the surface,” said the singer. “There is still so much to be done.”

Shakira founded Pies Descalzos – a Colombian charity that runs special schools for poor children – in 1997. She has taken part in a multitude of benefit concerts and has visited many people affected by natural disasters, including the victims of Hurricane Sidr in Bangladesh. It was revealed at the 2007 Clinton Global Initiative that she had donated a massive $40 million to help the victims of natural disasters around the world. Earlier this year she acted as Chairperson for the Global Campaign for Education’s Action Week to generate awareness about the Education for All Act, during which she spoke with a number of world leaders to promote a move towards Global Education.

Jackie Chan Receives UNICEF Award

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Action star Jackie Chan has received a special UNICEF award for his work with children.

Chan was a guest at a UNICEF reception held in China on August 9, where awards were presented to UNICEF supporting partners and goodwill ambassadors who have aided the organization’s efforts to help children all over the world. The event – called Champions for Children – served two purposes: to advocate for vulnerable children and to thank all of UNICEF’s partners, including the Chinese government, for their tireless work.

Attendees at the function listened to talks from Chan and world reknowned pianist Lang Lang, as well as the words of young survivors from the Sichuan earthquake.

“The May 12th earthquake hurt our people, but many uncles, aunts, brothers and sisters are helping us,” said one 12-year-old survivor. “Our new school has already been built; we have received donations and supplies from all over the world. I plan to study hard and invent a machine to control earthquakes, so that no more people will have to suffer as a result of earthquakes.”

Chan – who has been a UNICEF Ambassador since 2004 – said he was glad to have the opportunity to help and added that he is eager to help children not only in China but all over the world. “Call me anytime, I will be there,” he said.

Chan is well known for his interest in supporting children’s charities, and last year talked to Look To The Stars about his work.

“Since I am Ambassador for UNICEF and UNAIDS, I am able to help raise interest in the problems that children face,” he told us. “Plus I am involved with my own charities here in Asia – the Dragon’s Heart Charity and the Jackie Chan Charitable Foundation. There are so many problems for children! Sometimes I feel that I just can’t do enough for them – as soon as I solve the problem of one group, I notice that another group is suffering. I try, but it’s never enough.”

Terry Venables To Speak At Cancer Charity Gala

Fri, 08 Aug 2008 11:30:00 -0000

Written by Jennifer Beckmann

English football legend Terry Venables is part of a sport-themed lineup at a special charity gala, with proceeds to benefit Macmillan Cancer Support.

Terry Venables, noted former England football coach and player, will discuss the vicissitudes of his career and the sport itself at the fundraising gala. The gala will be held at the St Johns Hotel in Solihull, England, on 25 September 2008. Hosted by Talksport presenter Ian Danter , the event will also include a three-course dinner.

Venables is well known for his lengthy football career as both a player and manager in England and internationally. He played for the England national team in 1964 and managed that same team from 1994-1996. In 2006, Venables participated in Soccer Aid, a charity event that raised £2.6 million for UNICEF. Venables coached the England team, comprised of celebrities and football legends, which was victorious in the televised match against the Rest of the World squad.

Macmillan Cancer Support is a not-for-profit organization providing practical, medical, emotional, and financial support to cancer patients. The organization is headquartered in London with regional offices throughout the UK and an extensive online community. In addition to the September charity gala, Macmillan hosts a variety of fundraisers during the year including sporting events, coffee mornings, and picnics.

Tickets for the gala event cost £65. For more information, call 07967 326 288.

To learn more about Macmillian Cancer Support, visit www.macmillan.org.uk.

Hayley Westenra Records PSA For UNICEF

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 12:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

New Zealand-born singing sensation Hayley Westenra has recorded a special message for UNICEF.

The 21-year-old shot to stardom in 2003 when her first international release, Pure, went to number 1 on the British charts. Now she is the youngest UNICEF Ambassador in the world, and she has recorded a special public service announcement asking people to join her by becoming a UNICEF Global Parent.

“With UNICEF, your contributions go further,” she says during the advertisement. “[It] helps not just one child, but many, many children all around the world.”

In 2005, Westenra visited Ghana with the charity to see firsthand the work UNICEF does. While there, the young star launched ’Hayley’s Bikes for Ghana’, a project that has already provided 6,000 bikes for children so they can attend school and find a better future. She also supports ‘Play Pumps for Ghana’, a project which aims to take clean water to over 6,000 children and their families.

"Meeting young people that are the same as me but with such a different world of opportunity has a profound affect on you,” she said after her visit. “I aspire to be a singer, which seems so unessential compared with their simple desire for a regular cup of clean water. You can’t go somewhere like that, meet those people and come back unchanged.”

Westenra is also involved in the Women’s Environmental Network, a group that raises awareness of environmental issues affecting women.

Hayley’s latest PSA can be viewed here.

Manchester United Works With UNICEF In Africa

Tue, 05 Aug 2008 13:30:00 -0000

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

Former footballer Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Manchester United’s baby-faced assassin, will use the proceeds of a recent match to build schools in Africa.

With an expected £2 million raised from the game, 10 schools costing between £20,000 to £200,000 will be built in Angola, Malawi and Mozambique through UNICEF, and will additionally include teaching materials, writing materials and sports equipment.

Executive director of UNICEF Norway, Kjersti Flogstad, said in the Sunday Times: “There are not many people, let alone footballers, who are like Ole. It has been a big joy and a source of motivation to work with him."

A UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador since visiting a camp for abandoned children in Thailand in 2001, Solskjaer has donated the proceeds of various events to UNICEF, some of which have also been used to build schools in Africa, plus he’s planning on several more.

“In Africa almost half the kids who should be in school are not in school,” said Flogstad. “We and Ole want to create safe havens for such kids.”

Manchester United’s Mikael Silvestre has also taken an interest in Africa. At a UNICEF soccer clinic near Johannesburg, The Telegraph quoted Silvestre: “I wanted to come and meet these people who are suffering with [HIV], to show them we care. They are still proud and they still live life normally. They have a big determination to fight this disease and they are involved in preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS through different organisations. It was very good to hear.”

UNICEF’s project uses sport to get kids to open up, thereby becoming more receptive to information on risky behaviour and HIV infection prevention.

Céline Dion Hosts Young Heroes

Thu, 24 Jul 2008 14:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Twelve lucky young people were in Montreal last week to celebrate life and meet with Céline Dion.

The children – all of whom have overcome huge physical challenges – were chosen by Readers Digest to take part in the Faces of Love project and raise funds for various causes endorsed by the Canadian singer, including the CHU Sainte-Justine, the Toronto Hospital for Sick Children, and UNICEF. The mission of the visit – which was made possible by the donation of cash and goods and services from Quebec businesses – was to promote a book, a calendar and a set of greeting cards, entitled 12 Héros Parmi Nous, to be launched in August of this year.

“Children from all over the world are facing horrendous hardships. By telling the stories of the 12 little heroes who have overcome fear and suffering, Faces of Love offers a positive outlook on life,” said Martyne Huot, who led the project. "The determination of these children provides a lesson in courage for each and every one of us, and should prompt us to refocus on the basic values of our society.”

The group of children included a young boy who was discovered alive 19 days after the 2004 tsunami in Sumatra, after keeping himself alive for three weeks by eating berries and drinking water from puddles. There was also a young Peruvian girl who was born with her legs joined together from her hips to her ankles and her feet spread out in a V like the fin of a fish, and a boy who had both of his arms and legs amputated when he was severely burned after his father immolated himself.

“We already know about Céline Dion’s long-standing commitment to the
"Cystic Fibrosis Association”:http://www.looktothestars.org/charity/214-canadian-cystic-fibrosis-foundation, as well as her affiliation with the CHU Sainte-Justine – she and her husband, René Angélil, were the spokespersons for the CHU Sainte-Justine’s most recent fund-raising campaign,” said Georges-Hébert Germain, who wrote the preface for the book. “What is not so well known is the fact that Céline is actually involved: she meets with sick and injured children, comforts them, shares their pain and fear, and brings them that which, more than anything else, can help change their lives. Their hope, determination and strength is largely derived from contact like this.”

Proceeds from the sales of the book and other products will go into a Young Heroes Fund before being distributed to the benefiting charities.

Robbie Williams Returns With Soccer Aid 2008

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 15:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

British pop star Robbie Williams is organizing a soccer extravaganza to raise money for UNICEF.

Soccer Aid 2008, which will take place at Wembley Stadium on September 7, will see two teams of celebrities go head to head in a match of epic proportions. The game will pit an English “All Star” team – featuring Alan Shearer, Kyran Bracken, Ben Shephard, Gareth Gates, Jamie Theakston and Williams’ Soccer Aid co-founder Jonathan Wilkes – against a Rest Of The World side that includes Gordon Ramsay, Nicky Byrne, Alastair Campbell, Patrick Kielty, Brian Lara, Jesse Metcalfe, and Peter Schmeichel.

The match follows the first Soccer Aid game played in Old Trafford in 2006 that raised £2.6 million (US$5 million) for UNICEF, of which Williams is an Ambassador. Williams, who captained the England side in the first game, is unable to play this year due to a knee injury.

“Being able to help so many people through Soccer Aid was one of the true highlights of my life,” said the singer. “I’m gutted that this time round my knee isn’t up to it so unfortunately I’m out of the game. But I hope that everyone involved has the time of their life like I did, raises loads of money for Unicef and that the best side wins.”

The match will be televised on ITV in Britain, and will be hosted by Ant and Dec.

Tickets are available from www.itv.com/socceraid.

Rihanna The Face Of New Charity Campaign

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 14:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Rihanna is to front luxury goods label Gucci’s UNICEF campaign.

The new campaign – tagged Tattoo Heart – will start in December, and the 20-year-old singer will appear in a series of advertisements promoting the initiative. She is already well-known for her support of both UNICEF and Gucci, after performing at a fundraiser the fashion house threw for the charity at the New York Fashion Week in February.

“When we decided to dedicate a full ad campaign to really come out and show our commitment to UNICEF, I felt a musician and a beautiful woman was the perfect icon for this campaign,” said Frida Giannini, Gucci’s creative designer.

The campaign will feature a special limited edition selection of Gucci products, with 25% of sales being donated to the United Nations International Children’s Education Fund.

Rihanna is no stranger to helping children in need: in 2006 she established the Believe Foundation to help terminally ill and disadvantaged children around the world, and earlier this year she played a series of concerts to raise awareness and money for her charity.

A Message From Roger Moore

Tue, 15 Jul 2008 12:30:00 -0000

Some say he was the best James Bond ever, and now actor Roger Moore has written a message to encourage people to support UNICEF.

“I have had the rare privilege of seeing firsthand UNICEF’s work with children around the world,” wrote Moore on the UNICEF website "I have met countless children who are benefiting, whose lives have been saved by UNICEF programs. Many are living in appalling poverty, without the day-to-day essentials we take for granted. Others are bravely struggling to survive in situations of conflict.

"The work we do today is vital and lifesaving. But I have some grave concerns about the future. Though UNICEF staff and volunteers work tirelessly, the hardships that so many children face – drought, famine, war – will not go away in the foreseeable future.

“The legacies left by UNICEF supporters enable us to be there for future generations… and continue to save and uplift the lives of our world’s most precious citizens in years to come.”

The 80-year-old actor has been a Goodwill Ambassador for the charity since 1991, and first became involved in humanitarian issues when he witnessed extreme poverty while filming in India in 1983.

To find out more about UNICEF’s Goodwill Ambassadors, visit their website.

Jackie Chan Urges Non-Violence In Timor

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 14:30:00 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

UNICEF Ambassador Jackie Chan visited East Timor last week to spread a message of non-violence to the country’s youth.

The visit aimed to curb a culture of “martial arts gangs” – groups of youths that have been involved in street fighting that led to an outbreak of violence that killed 37 people and caused thousands to flee their homes less than two years ago.

“If you use martial arts to help somebody, you’re the hero,” said Chan. “If you use martial arts just on the street to fight somebody, even if you win you’re not the hero – you’re nobody."

During the visit, Chan met Timor Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao and led a choreographed martial arts display in front of over 5000 young people at Dili’s national stadium. He hopes his presence will help gangs realize their art is a discipline, not a weapon.

"It does not matter what school of martial arts we are from as long as we are united,” he said. “Training for martial arts helps you to strengthen your eyes, your mind and your body. When you have a good body and mind, let’s help people. Don’t harm them.”

You can watch a video of Chan’s visit here.

David Beckham to Climb Kilimanjaro

Wed, 21 May 2008 10:39:17 -0000

Written by Delinda Lombardo

How persuasive is U2 front man / humanitarian Bono? He’s recently asked the world’s most recognizable soccer star, David Beckham, to climb Mount Kilimanjaro for charity, and Beckham has agreed.

Beckham decided to undertake the intense six-day climb to raise money for UNICEF after being asked by Bono, but no date has been set yet for Becks’ big climb.

A source close to the LA Galaxy player told Britain’s The Sun newspaper: “The 19,340ft peak is a bit outside of David’s normal comfort zone but he is absolutely set on making the climb. No date has been fixed yet because David is very busy with his LA Galaxy commitments, but he is absolutely set on doing it.”

Legend, Doolittle Honor Sachs and Soros

Mon, 19 May 2008 10:56:00 -0000

Written by Myrlia Purcell

The Millennium Promise and Malaria No More Annual Benefit took place last week at The Tent at Lincoln Center, raising over $2 million for the fight against extreme poverty and disease. The event honored the charities’ founders, Raymond G. Chambers, Peter Chernin, Professor Jeffrey Sachs and George Soros.

Grammy-winner John Legend presented an award to Jeffrey Sachs. Sachs’ book, The End Of Poverty was a catalyst in Legend’s forming of the Show Me Campaign. American Idol’s Melinda Doolittle presented an award to Peter Chernin, and performed “Amazing Grace” as part of the evening’s entertainment. Ann Veneman, the Executive Director of UNICEF, and Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Managing Director of the World Bank, presented awards to Ray Chambers and George Soros, respectively.

Millennium Promise is on a mission to end extreme poverty by 2025. They have begun by taking steps to achieve the eight globally-endorsed Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in Africa by 2015.

Malaria No More is actively taking steps to end deaths due to malaria, by providing bed nets and raising awareness about this disease, which kills 3,000 children every day.

For more information on how you can get involved, visit the Millennium Promise and Malaria No More websites.

Stars Call for Action on Disaster Relief

Thu, 15 May 2008 11:48:24 -0000

Written by Myrlia Purcell

Compassion is showing itself to be a universal language, as people from around the world are taking steps to help victims of the recent natural disasters in Asia. Celebrities are flocking to support the desperate nation of Burma/Myanmar, with Not On Our Watch, the charity started by Brad Pitt, Don Cheadle, Matt Damon, George Clooney and Jerry Weintraub, donating $500,000 towards rescue operations.

The group will use $250,000 for its own relief efforts, and has donated $250,000 of that amount to Save the Children, who, with UNICEF, are two of the few relief organizations currently deployed due to the military government’s reluctance to allow aid workers into the country. According to Britain’s Department for International Development, the country needs at least 10 times the amount of aid that the ruling junta leaders are currently allowing in.

Nicole Richie and Joel Madden have just released a PSA made in support of UNICEF’s work towards helping the victims of May 2nd’s cyclone, asking people to give what they can to help the survivors of the disaster which has left tens of thousands dead, and hundreds of thousands suffering.

Queen Elizabeth II has also made a “significant” personal donation to the efforts. While the amount of the donation was not disclosed, it is believed that the donation went to Britain’s Disasters Emergency Committee. The first British relief flight left Dubai on Monday, carrying shelter material for 43,000 families.

Organizing aid for victims of Monday’s 7.9 earthquake in China is Jackie Chan, who donated $1.4 million with charity-fund partner Emperor Entertainment Group chairman Albert Yeung. The earthquake, which has killed 12,000 people, was felt as far away as Thailand.

To make donations to help cyclone victims in Burma, visit the Save the Children, UNICEF and the Disasters Emergency Committee websites, and to help victims of the earthquake in China, visit Jackie Chan’s donation page, and choose “China Earthquake Fund”.

Ricky Martin To Launch Human Rights Hotline

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 06:56:34 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Sultry Latino pop star Ricky Martin will hit the streets of Washington DC today, April 29, to raise awareness of human rights issues.

The singer’s Llama y Vive campaign, which is part of the International Organization for Migration, will hold an event at the Inter-American Development Bank headquarters on New York Avenue at 11am to launch “Call and Live”, an initiative that promotes an anti-trafficking hotline for human trafficking prevention and victim protection.

The campaign aims to reach 100,000 Latinos in the D.C. area with prevention messages about human trafficking, and provide access to legal and social services for victims through a Spanish-language hotline. Call and Live has been implemented in Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Peru and Nicaragua, where it has triggered more than 55,000 relevant calls to the national hotlines, 60 police investigations, and the rescue of at least a dozen victims.

Martin, a Goodwill Ambassador to UNICEF and five time Grammy Winner, established the Ricky Martin Foundation to advocate for the welfare of children around the world.

Clay Aiken To Answer Your Questions

Thu, 24 Apr 2008 04:02:46 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Former American Idol contestant and star of Broadway’s Spamalot Clay Aiken has teamed up with an internet social networking site to talk about his charity work and to host an indepth interview featuring questions directly from readers and fans.

www.gather.com has posted a video featuring the singer talking about his experience with his charity, the Bubel/Aiken Foundation, as well as his work with UNICEF. The site will then interview the star next week, and is calling for questions from the public.

Aiken established the Bubel/Aiken Foundation in 2003. The initiative grew out of a relationship between Clay Aiken and 13-year-old Mike Bubel, who had been diagnosed with autism. Aiken met the Bubel family while pursuing a career in special education, prior to competing on American Idol. The bond between the singer and the Bubel family grew strong as they shared a vision of a world where children like Mike could be fully immersed in society. Both Aiken and Mike’s mother, Diane, had witnessed children with disabilities repeatedly turned away from activities opened to typical children. They knew with the right support system doors could be opened to these individuals that had thus far remained closed. An organized effort could encourage and facilitate community inclusion and empowerment of individuals with disabilities.

Aiken has also been a UNICEF Ambassador since 2004. In 2005, he toured tsunami-stricken Banda Aceh to highlight the need to restore education to young survivors. This was followed by a trip to Uganda to raise awareness of “Night Commuters” – children who flee the villages and towns every night to sleep in shelters in order to avoid kidnapping by the Lord’s Resistance Army. In 2007 he visited children in Mexico.

Questions for the Gather interview can be submitted to the site’s Music Editor, and the video can be seen at Gather’s special Clay Nation page.

It's A Wiggly Wiggly UNICEF Concert!

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 08:05:09 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

They are one of the biggest bands to ever come out of Australia – and yet their target audience is the under-5s. And now The Wiggles are to throw their weight – and their Big Red Car – in behind a couple of campaigns to help those in need.

On Sunday 25th May, The Wiggles will hold a special concert to raise vital funds for a UNICEF Water and Sanitation project in East Timor. All profits from ticket and merchandise sales at the concert will be donated to UNICEF.

The band – made up of Anthony Field, Murray Cook, Sam Moran, and Jeff Fatt – have been UNICEF Australia Goodwill Ambassadors since February of this year, and are now helping UNICEF work towards the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) to reduce by half the proportion of people without access to safe water and basic sanitation by 2015.

The concert will be held at the Sydney Entertainment Centre, Darling Harbour, at 1pm. Tickets cost $35 for ‘hot potato’ seats (seats on the floor near the stage) or $30 for all other seats, and can be purchased at Ticketmaster. Special guest performers at the concert will include Jimmy Barnes, Kate Ceberano, Katie Noonan, and Leo Sayer.

The Wiggles are also major supporters of this year’s Red Nose Day, to be held on June 27. The event is held annually on the last Friday in June, is the major fundraiser for SIDS and Kids, an organization dedicated to the elimination of sudden and unexpected infant death. The Red Nose Day concept was adopted by SIDS and Kids organisations around Australia in 1988, and now people, cars, and buildings around the nation join in the fun by donning red noses.

So join The Wiggles along with their Wiggly Friends – Captain Feathersword, Dorothy the Dinosaur, Wags the Dog, and Henry the Octopus – and help raise funds and awareness for this great cause by visiting the Red Nose Day website.

Malaria No More Fights A Forgotten Killer

Fri, 18 Apr 2008 09:55:26 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

When people think of health and welfare in Africa, they think of AIDS, famine, poverty, and hundreds of other killers that bring death and hardship to the continent. But they hardly ever think of malaria. “It’s not a problem anymore,” they say. “We’ve been treating it for over 100 years…”

And yet it is still a problem – a HUGE problem.

The disease, which is spread by mosquitoes, causes a drawn-out and painful death. It destroys red blood cells and clogs the tiny capillaries that carry blood to the brain and other organs – a horrible way to die in anyone’s books. And it is killing as you read this – an African child dies of the disease every 30 seconds. That’s 3,000 children a day… over 1 million a year. In addition to the devastating human toll, the African economy loses over $12 billion in productivity due to the disease annually.

Malaria No More is an organization with one simple mission: to stop all malaria deaths. Established in 2006 at the first-ever White House Summit on Malaria, the organization uses contributions from the public to fund the provision of bed nets, sprays, anti-malaria drugs, education, and also the development of a vaccine to achieve its aim. Founded by a group of organizations such as the American Red Cross, UNICEF, United Way, Millennium Promise, the Global Fund, the United Nations Foundation, and the Global Business Coalition, Malaria No More also supports the President’s Malaria Initiative, a $1.2 billion, 5 year campaign launched by President Bush in 2005 to cut malaria deaths in Africa by 50%.

Malaria No More recently benefited from Idol Gives Back, the special American Idol show that raised money for a variety of organizations both in America and overseas. It is still too early to know exactly how much Malaria No More will get of the $60 million raised by this year’s show, but the music extravaganza donated $9 million to the organization in 2007, and another $8 million to other malaria-related causes. Idol host Ryan Seacrest and Idol judge Simon Cowell, along with Idol performers, have visited Africa and seen the devastation of the disease, and last month 2007 Idol winner Jordin Sparks joined President Bush in Ghana to highlight malaria control efforts.

“I was shocked to learn of the devastation caused by malaria,” said Sparks. “It’s incredible what a difference a simple mosquito net can make in the life of a child.”

The organization, whose spokespeople include David Beckham and Ashley Judd, has also launched an exciting way for schools to join in the fight against malaria and empower students to be active in raising money and saving lives. Stayin’ Alive was created by a group of high school students in Florida, and encourages schools and students to hold fundraising dances. By dedicating a dance, or series of dances, to Malaria No More – and committing to a $1,000 donation from the proceeds – schools everywhere can play a significant role in eradicating malaria.

Malaria No More aims to partner with 10,000 Stayin’ Alive dances throughout America over the next three years. This will provide over $10 million in funds – enough to pay for $1 million bed nets to protect at least 2 million children.

To learn more about the initiative, visit the Stayin’ Alive website.

Jackie Chan Urges For A Peaceful Olympics

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 08:19:50 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Jackie Chan has come out fighting for the Olympics – despite the current protests occuring around the world as the Olympic Torch makes its way to Beijing.

The 54-year-old star of over 100 action films believes the Games should be used as a platform for peace – not politics – and should represent “unity and love” to heal the problems of the world. The UNICEF and UNAIDS Ambassador is a strong believer in philanthropy and goodwill, and although he can understand the protestors’ desire to be heard, he is disappointed with the way they are doing it.

“They wish to find an outlet to voice their opinions, but I don’t think they should use the Olympics to do so,” said Chan after arriving in Beijing with Jet Li for the world premiere of The Forgotten Kingdom yesterday. “I hope people do not mix sports with politics. This is wrong. I don’t understand why people would want to destroy the Olympics.”

The martial arts star is looking forward to the Games, and has already starred in a series of Olympic TV commercials for Visa, attended a ceremony last August for the official start to the Games’ countdown, and recorded the official Olympic song, We Are Ready. But protests over the Games has been strong, and the running of the Olympic Flame has been marred with hold-ups and opposition. Most of the disapproval centers around China’s continued support of the Sudan despite the on-going humanitarian crises in Darfur, and the issue of Tibet following violent riots in March.

Jet Li, a follower of Tibetan Buddhism who has met the Dalai Lama, refused to comment on the situation.

Celebrities Bring Attention To UN Efforts

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 08:11:03 -0000

Written by Elizabeth Willoughby

With the press watching their every move, more and more stars are making their moves count by sharing the spotlight with United Nations missions.

In the past months alone, actress Drew Barrymore pledged $1 million to the United Nations’ World Food Program to bring attention to rising food prices; actress and Avon Global Ambassador Reese Witherspoon began raising money for the United Nations Development Fund For Women for education, job training and better laws for underprivileged women; Bono raised an impressive $42 million at his (RED) charity auction for the United Nations Foundation AIDs programs; and actress and UNICEF spokeswoman Salma Hayek promoted her anti-tetanus campaign on Oprah.

Outspoken actress and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Mia Farrow uses her celebrity in ways that politicians might not, relentlessly reminding us of the tragic details of Dafur. Farrow says, “I’m completely free to say anything I want. I have no trade agreements with anyone.”

George Clooney, the latest to be named Messenger of Peace by the United Nations for his efforts in Chad, Congo and Dafur, told ABC News, “I think what they’re looking to gain from [awarding me] is cameras following me to places that they’re trying to get attention to and that’s fine. That’s a good use of celebrity if you ask me.”

Celebrity faces fronting causes may help attract broader attention or raise bigger money more quickly, but it may also do something for the celebrity.

Actress and United Nations Goodwill Ambassador Angelina Jolie, who is pushing governments to plan an Iraq refugee relief effort, told ABC News, “[Activism] gives celebrity some reason. Celebrity is very weird… So when you’re doing something good and you can bring attention to that or discuss that, then it feels like you have some sense in your life.”

Ricky Martin Joins Poverty Campaign

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 08:03:51 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Latino singing star Ricky Martin met with several other artists in Miami last week to launch a new campaign in the fight against poverty.

The hip-swinging singer joined with fellow Latino heartthrobs Juan Luis Guerra and Juanes to become spokespersons for the Yo Amo America Campaign, an initiative that plans to use the performers’ profiles to raise awareness among policymakers about the importance of making investments in early childhood development, financial services, housing, and safe drinking water. And with over 360 million people in Latin America who live on less than $300 a month, it is an issue that requires immediate attention.

Martin has agreed to promote birth registration as part of the campaign, an area he believes will increase access to education, health, and other public services. Around 8.5 million children in Latin America presently lack any form of identity papers, a fact Martin thinks also contributes to the high proportion of child trafficking. Human trafficking is a major source of concern for Martin – a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF – and he established the Ricky Martin Foundation to combat it.

Martin, Guerra, and Juanes will all be featured in an advertising campaign for Yo Amo America, and will soon embark on a tour to meet with government officials around Latin America. You can see a video about the campaign here.

Salma Hayek Launches Tetanus Appeal

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 09:36:24 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

Actress Salma Hayek kicked off the North American One Pack = One Vaccine campaign this week in Chicago.

The program, a UNICEF initiative, aims to eliminate maternal and neonatal tetanus around the world through a special donation scheme set up in association with Pampers diapers. From April 1 to 30, for every specially marked pack of Pampers bought in the US and Canada, Pampers will provide UNICEF with funding for one potentially life-saving tetanus vaccination for a mother in a third world country.

The goal of the North American program is to provide over 27 million vaccinations to mothers in 12 African nations and hopefully wipe out the disease forever. And when Hayek appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show on Monday, this goal was brought one step closer – Oprah gifted each of the 350 guests in the audience 100 vaccinations in their names. And if this wasn’t enough, Proctor and Gamble – the company behind Pampers – announced they will donate 1 million vaccinations in Oprah’s name (a donation of around $68,000).

Tetanus has a high fatality rate in Africa – 70 to 100% in some countries – and is spread by spores that pass through the umbilical cord when cut with unsanitary instruments.

Stars Take Water Campaign South

Thu, 03 Apr 2008 03:35:13 -0000

Written by Tim Saunders

A UNICEF campaign launched by Sarah Jessica Parker and Marcus Samuelsson in New York last year has hit the shores of the remote South Pacific.

The Tap Project, established to help UNICEF provide safe drinking water to children around the world, has just been launched in New Zealand – the only country outside North America to take part so far.

UNICEF NZ is inviting restaurants around the country to join the campaign by asking diners to donate a minimum of $1 for the tap water they normally enjoy for free. The initiative will run for 1 week from April 5-11, and a full list of the restaurants can be found at www.tapproject.org.nz.

“We’re very excited and honored to be leading this NZ initiative," said Dennis McKinlay, Executive Director of UNICEF NZ. "Just $1 can provide a child with safe drinking water for 30 days. Over 1 billion people around the world still do not have access to safe water & sanitation. Every day, 5,000 children die of water-related diseases such as cholera, typhoid and malaria. Clean drinking water means more than protection against disease. It can mean a 50% increase in productivity for a village and, freed from the daily task of collecting water from distant sources, more children are able to attend school.”

Over $100,000 was raised by the campaign in America last year.

Ricky Martin Fights Human Trafficking

Tue, 01 Apr 2008 12:49:29 -0000

Written by Delinda Lombardo

In February of this year, singer Ricky Martin spent three-days at a United Nations conference in Vienna where he learned of Cambodia’s child trafficking problems. This week, he was reduced to tears during a charity trip to a Cambodian shelter where a teenage rape victim performed a song she wrote about her ordeal as a trafficking victim.

“She sings like an angel,” said Martin, a five-time Grammy Award winner.

The sultry pop star was representing his Ricky Martin Foundation in support of the fight against human trafficking when he visited a shelter in Siem Reap in order to spend time with children affected by sexual assaults. The shelter houses 65 victims of human trafficking, and Martin spent time comforting, among others, a 3-month-old girl whose mother was sold into prostitution, as well as numerous children in need of comfort.

After his visit, Martin was obviously touched by the stories from these young survivors.

“I’m not going to stop.” He told the children, “All of you are my heroes. You are a gift of my life."

 According to the United Nations, about 2.5 million people are involved in forced labor as a result of trafficking, with most victims between the ages of 18 and 24. The US State Department has called Cambodia a country that is ‘a source, destination and transit country for men, women, and children trafficked for sexual exploitation and labor.’

“The fact that you have 200 non-governmental groups working in the country working on human trafficking is unheard of,” Martin told Cambodian officials, according to the Associated Press.

Martin isn’t alone on his quest, and has joined actress Emma Thompson and Egyptian first lady Suzanne Mubarak in calling for action. Additionally, in 2005, Martin collaborated with the International Organization for Migration on “Llama y Vive” (Call and Live), a campaign aimed at the prevention of human trafficking, protection of the youngest victims of child trafficking, and prosecution of the traffickers.

Martin has been a vocal activits for years. In September 2002, he received a Hispanic Heritage Award for his humanitarian work through the Sabera Foundation in rescuing three orphan girls from the streets of Calcutta. He also acts as a Goodwill Ambassador to UNICEF, and established the Ricky Martin Foundation in Puerto Rico to advocate for the welfare of children around the world.

Martin established the Ricky Martin Foundation in Puerto Rico, to effectively pursue his humanitarian principles and to advocate for the welfare of children around the world. From the outset, Martin and his staff decided to support programs that enhance the well being of children. As facilitators and strong believers in partnerships with international organizations, the private sector, local non-profits, and individuals, the Ricky Martin Foundation continues to evolve. Our voice in alliance with other sectors is committed to defend the most fragile population against modern forms of slavery and to provide them a safer world through wellness initiatives.

To further uphold our principle of social justice, in 2004 the RMF launched People for Children, a global initiative to educate, denunciate, and support the international framework for the elimination of human trafficking, especially minors. This unscrupulous market annually generates $10 billion dollars, and it’s only preceded by the trafficking of drugs and arms.

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