On this year’s extra day in February, many organizations joined the U.S. Fund for UNICEF at the Millennium UN Plaza Hotel for cocktails and conversation during the 2012 Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). We were honored to be joined by some of our partners and colleagues who are working tirelessly to advance the status of women, including Zonta International, General Federation of Women’s Clubs, Soroptimist International, and several other amazing organizations.

I recently attended the JCI Global Partnership Summit in New York. Junior Chambers International is a member-based organization with over 200,000 members. More than 350 attendees participated in the summit which focused on how civil society, business and government can work together to create positive change through the framework of the UN Millennium Development Goals

U.S. Federal funding for life-saving global efforts is in jeopardy. While it is clear that our Nation needs to reduce the Federal budget deficit, most Americans do not want the small but vital child survival and maternal health programs put on the chopping block. We need to let our Senators and Representatives know that Americans care about this essential funding. They need to know you care

At a packed room at the National Press Club, Tony P. Hall (D-OH) and leaders representing a broad coalition of Christian, Jewish, Muslim, and other advocacy organizations pledged themselves to fasting, prayer, and advocacy.

On the evening of February 23, I was joined by colleagues, partners, and fellow attendees of the 55th Session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) at the beautiful Landmark View at the UN Millennium Hotel for a few cocktails, some nibbles, and inspiring discussion, hosted by U.S. Fund’s own NGO Department of the Program and Strategic Partnerships Division. Men and women from innovative organizations engaged in rich conversation surrounding the theme of this year’s CSW, which was to improve the access and participation of women and girls to education, training, science and technology, including the promotion of women’s equal access to employment and decent work. Organizations like Zonta International, UMC, GFWC, Soroptimist International, and Malaria No More (to name just a handful) and U.S. Delegates were all brought together in the spirit of gender equality and the advancement of women.

The evening, overflowing with energy and lively discussion, filled me with inspiration and gratitude. I was reminded that the U.S. Fund for UNICEF is joined by individuals and organizations across the world in believing in zero – the day when zero children die from preventable causes.

Responding to the critical needs of vulnerable Haitian children, the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) and the U.S. Fund for UNICEF have announced their first major partnership aimed at providing secure spaces and activities for the devastated island’s youngsters. JDC will support UNICEF’s Child Friendly Spaces program which builds safe and protective environments throughout Haiti for children who have lost homes, families, and communities in the earthquake.