Actor and UNICEF Ambassador Ewan McGregor was on the Ellen show last Friday, talking not only about his latest movie, but also about UNICEF. He specifically urged viewers to donate to help the children of Syria, who are not only dealing with the violence in their country, but are now facing a bitterly cold winter.
While the 12-12-12 concert for Sandy Relief was taking place at Madison Square Garden, a few blocks away UNICEF Ambassador Pau Gasol was meeting with U.S. Fund for UNICEF supporters as a reminder that millions of children around the world also need our help. Pau, who has been working with UNICEF for ten years, discussed his recent field visit to Chad (a trip he made after winning a silver medal with Spain in the London Olympics), where he experienced firsthand the efforts UNICEF is undertaking to combat the nutritional crisis in Africa’s Sahel region.
U.S. Fund for UNICEF President and CEO, Caryl Stern, along with UNICEF supporter Dena Kaye, will be on NBC’s Today Show on Wednesday morning to honor the life and talent of UNICEF’s first Goodwill Ambassador Danny Kaye. Hosts will highlight Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF and the contributions Danny made to our 62-year old campaign.
Congratulations to UNICEF Ambassador and LA Laker Pau Gasol for the 2011-2012 J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award. Named after the second commissioner of the NBA and presented annually by the Professional Basketball Writers Association, the award is given annually to the NBA player, coach or trainer who shows outstanding service and dedication to the community. Pau has been a UNICEF Ambassador for seven years, personally funded critical UNICEF programs and traveled the globe promoting initiatives aimed at nutrition and education for children. Thanks to Pau and all our friends at the NBA for their commitment to UNICEF and the millions of children whose survival and development we fight for.
I was in Haiti with an amazing UNICEF team to see the effects of the earthquake and the UNICEF programs that are helping children and their communities with the long-term recovery efforts. The power of the 2010 earthquake in Haiti hit home as we arrived in Champs de Mars, the center of Port-au-Prince. In the first days of my trip seeing the effects of the earthquake on the city and the people, it all seemed so overwhelming, an impossible situation. How could you help? Where would you even begin? However, as the days go by, a little light starts to glimmer through. Bit by bit, UNICEF is making progress.
“What good is a conscience if it is not awakened?” – Harry Belafonte
The Motion Picture Association of America hosted the Washington, D.C. premier of the HBO special “Sing Your Song,” a documentary about the artistic and humanitarian work of Harry Belafonte. Harry Belafonte himself was there to introduce the film and to share recollections of his engagement in a variety of civil rights and human rights initiatives. Of course, we in the UNICEF family are especially proud of his service as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. We are thrilled that his inspiring work to advance humanity is being shared with a wide audience through “Sing Your Song.” It can be seen on HBO beginning on October 17.
Thirty years ago, only one out of five children were immunized against killer diseases like measles and polio. Throughout the developing world, millions of children were dying of illnesses that had all but disappeared in the world’s wealthier countries. Since then, a near miracle has taken place. Now, four out of five children are protected by vaccines. Polio is on the verge of elimination. Measles and tetanus deaths have been reduced dramatically. This miracle did not happen by itself.
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