Fieldnotes: Blogging on UNICEF's child survival work in the field

In my last post, I told you all about the i'm Talkathon, a project started by an i'm Initiative fan named Parker to help raise awareness about this incredible program from Microsoft that donates to a social cause every time you send an IM or email. UNICEF is one of the causes, and there are just five days left in the Talkathon!

In these final days, there's a simple way you can help raise awareness for UNICEF and possibly even help us win a big donation from the social netoworking site Facebook. Facebook has pledged $15,000 to the social cause that gets the most votes in their i'm Initiative poll.

Here’s the deal: On the "i’m Making a Difference" Group page (www.facebook.com/im), look for the poll on the right margin. Simply vote for your favorite cause. You can see the results in real time.

UNICEF is currently in third place. Help make us #1! Rally your friends. Get out the vote. The more friends who get behind UNICEF, the better we will do. That's what community is all about.

And let's have a round of applause for Facebook's generous pledge. Very cool.

The U.S. Fund for UNICEF is a proud partner of the ONE Campaign, a grassroots network of more than two million Americans who care about issues of global poverty, hunger and disease, and efforts to fight these problems in the world's poorest countries.

UNICEF advocates might be interested in ONE's message to the G8 leaders meeting this week in Japan. ONE is asking Americans to send a simple message to the G8: make good on your commitments to help poor countries with health care, agriculture and education. Take a moment to add your support to this message at www.one.org/2008g8.

In a one-of-a-kind television event this Sunday, July 6, CNN will examine why 26,000 children die every day from preventable causes and what UNICEF is doing to save these young lives. Hosted by CNN's chief medical correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, "The Survival Project: One Child at a Time" will air at 8 and 11 pm (ET).

This historic broadcast will highlight four areas where UNICEF demonstrates its remarkable on-the-ground expertise in doing whatever it takes to save a child:

• Child protection in Iraq
• Water and sanitation in Laos
• HIV/AIDS in Peru
• Child survival interventions in Ethiopia

Leading experts in each of these key areas will contribute to a panel discussion moderated by Dr. Gupta.

"The Survival Project: One Child at a Time" is a chance to get a first-hand look at the plight of millions of children around the world, struggling each and every day for survival. We hope you'll tune in.

In this last year, everyone who has joined Microsoft’s I’m Initiative has helped raise more than $255,000 for UNICEF’s lifesaving work for children. THANK YOU!

Now everyone, whether you use instant messenger or not, can join in. Recently, Microsoft expanded the I’m Initiative to Hotmail users. So if you have Hotmail and you choose UNICEF as your cause, all of those emails you send will start adding up to even more help for the world’s children. If you don't have Hotmail, why not get it? It's free.

To help promote the I'm Initiative, a guy named Parker is doing something he calls a "talkathon," 30 days of e-mailing and IM-ing for the common good. Check it out at www.imtalkathon.com, and watch for his conversation with Caryl Stern, the U.S. Fund for UNICEF's president and CEO.

Those fun, fashion-forward folks at Bravo TV have come up with a unique celebrity dress auction benefitting UNICEF. Right now, when you buy a dress at Bravo TV's online charity auction, you'll be helping UNICEF's relief efforts in Myanmar.

Imagine owning a dress that was worn by a celebrity on Bravo's "A-List Awards" show, which aired on June 12. The dresses were all designed by contestants on Bravo's hit show "Project Runway."

All proceeds from the auction will go to UNICEF's relief work in Myanmar. So you'll not only get a fashion original, you'll be helping save children's lives as well.

Go to http://bravo.auction.seenon.com to start bidding. But hurry! The auction ends on June 19.

File this one under "GoodNews." UNICEF will be featured on GoodSearch.com and GoodShop.com this Wednesday, June 11.

When you use GoodSearch.com and designate the U.S. Fund for UNICEF as the cause you support, we receive a penny every time you do a search.

And, don't forget GoodShop.com, where a percentage of each order is donated to us, as well (you don’t pay anything extra). Hundreds of great stores including Amazon, Target, Gap, Best Buy, eBay, Macy's, Barnes & Noble and others have teamed up with GoodShop.

Of course, you can use GoodSearch and GoodShop every day, but be sure to check us out on their homepages on Wednesday.

For years, the world has known about the devastating effects of cluster munitions on civilians—and particularly children. The little "bomblets" that don't explode on impact are deadly remnants of war, waiting for children to step on them or pick them up—and then lose a limb or a life.

© UNICEF/ HQ06-1172/Dina Debbas

LEBANON: A boy stands near an unexploded cluster bomb, marked off by two bricks, in the southern village of Yohmor.

Just more than a year ago, frustrated with the inability of the United Nations to address cluster munitions, Norway launched its own process to develop an international treaty that would ban these weapons. In May 2008, representatives of 110 nations met in Dublin, Ireland, and agreed on a draft Convention on Cluster Munitions that would commit their governments to stop using cluster munitions and to destroy their existing stockpiles within eight years.

UNICEF is racing against time to save kids' lives in Myanmar.

A great way to show your support is to pick up one of our badges or banners to display on your blog or website.

There are many ways you can stay up to date on UNICEF's work on behalf of children. Our recommendation for the last day of Unite for Child Survival: Advocacy Week is for volunteers and supporters to check out our suggested reading list.

And, be sure to let us know if you hear from your Congressional Representative after taking action on the legislative issues we've highlighted this week. Post a comment here or email us at volunteer@unicefusa.org.

* Ana's Story by Jenna Bush is just one of many books on our suggested reading list for volunteers. Buy it online here.

We’ve been discussing the issues all week, and we’d like to use these same questions to guide a discussion with your friends, family or community groups about the issues.

We’ve posted these discussion questions and even developed a sample menu if you would like to host the discussion over a meal. All these resources are available in the Advocacy Center inside the Online Volunteer Center. Log in to check out the resources!

Share the issue briefs with those who might be interested to discuss the issues and actions you can take during Unite for Child Survival: Advocacy Week and beyond.

While we provided some discussion questions, do you have any of your own? What do you think is the most important issue this week and why?

All week we will be discussing the issues on which we’re asking you to take action. Today, the topic is the Global Security and Priorities Resolution. The 9/11 Commission Report recommended that a comprehensive U.S. strategy to counter terrorism should include policies that encourage development, more open societies and opportunities that improve the lives of families and enhance prospects for the their children’s futures. UNICEF is supportive of the Global Security Priorities Resolution because it will enhance international security, reduce world poverty and address the root causes of terrorism.

I wonder... what do you see as the greatest links and threats between global security and global poverty? How do nuclear weapons play a role in the movement for Child Survival? What is the connection between poverty and nuclear weapons? Send in your comments and name some examples.

In celebration of National Volunteer Week we’re not only celebrating our volunteers, we are showing the power that their actions can have!

Last year, UNICEF supporters contacted their congressional representatives more than 10,000 times on issues important to UNICEF. That’s why this week we are launching UNICEF's Unite for Child Survival: Advocacy Week. We hope you'll join us throughout the week to learn more about UNICEF's advocacy activities and take action to voice your support.

You can join in on the activities any time throughout the week. On day one, which is today, we suggest you register as a volunteer (if you haven’t done so already) and take our online training module called Advocating for UNICEF.

Once you take the training, let us know what you think of it; post a comment here with your thoughts.

Legislative advocacy is a great way to support UNICEF; it only takes a few minutes to learn about the issues, click your mouse to send letters to your representatives and continue to raise awareness about issues that impact children.

Whether you are a registered volunteer or not, you can always advocate for UNICEF by visiting our advocacy center. But as a registered volunteer, you will gain access to online training modules, discussion questions and other resources that will allow you to promote UNICEF's work to your friends and family. You can also see all the other volunteer activities that we offer and choose from a menu of opportunities. You can do as many or as few as you like. Sign up here.

We hope to generate many letters to Congress next week, but we're also hoping that our volunteers will give us feedback on the resources and the week's worth of activities. We want to hear from you!

	© Sean Sutton/MAG/magclearsmines.org

As you may know, for a while now we’ve had an alert on our advocacy webpage to contact Congress in support of the Cluster Munitions Civilian Protection Act—introduced by Rep. Jim McGovern and Sen. Dianne Feinstein. To date, 24 House members and 18 Senate members have cosponsored this legislation. That’s a good start, but not nearly enough to show the kind of support this legislation needs to bring it to a vote.

Next month, May 19-30, 2008, is the Dublin Diplomatic Conference on Cluster Munitions. At the Dublin Conference, representatives from more than half the world’s governments will meet to negotiate the most significant disarmament treaty in more than a decade: a treaty to bring about a ban on cluster bombs, ensure rapid clearance of contaminated land and provide vital assistance to those affected by cluster bombs.

To lead up to this important event, global advocates have designated April 19 as a Global Day of Action to Ban Cluster Bombs, to highlight 40 years of civilian deaths and injuries caused by these weapons. Citizens around the world will use this day to call on governments to take action.

The best way to show the U.S. Government and the world that American citizens care about preventing civilian casualties from cluster bombs is by asking their Members of Congress to support the Cluster Munitions Civilian Protection Act. On April 19, in honour of the Global Day of Action to Ban Cluster Munitions, go to unicefusa.org/advocate and ask your Members of Congress to cosponsor this legislation!

As you can tell by looking at the unicefusa.org website, we have a whole new look. We also have a new and improved Online Volunteer Center.

Our volunteers received an email asking them to be among the first to log into the Online Volunteer Center, take a look around and let us know their thoughts. The response was overwhelmingly positive and we couldn't be more thrilled.

Many of the resources available on the previous site can still be found here, including our online training modules, toolkits, downloadable flyers and more. Over the coming months, we will be adding more resources, launching new features and using our volunteer feedback to make it as user-friendly as possible. So let us know what you think!

We enjoyed great support from our Tap Project volunteers this year during World Water Week, and we want to keep that momentum going.

U.S. Fund for UNICEF volunteers can participate in programs year-round that support our education, advocacy and fundraising efforts. And that’s why we’ll be asking both Tap Project volunteers and our previously registered volunteers to participate in UNICEF’s Unite for Child Survival: Advocacy Week. Beginning April 28th, we’ll be asking our volunteers and supporters to become acquainted with three issues very important to UNICEF, and asking you to take action every day during that week.

We’ll be sending announcements and reminders between now and then, and developing some new resources including an online training module, discussion questions, and more. Stay tuned for updates.

If you are interested in getting involved now, check out our new online volunteer center by clicking here and registering as a new volunteer!

March 21 is the deadline for U.S. Fund for UNICEF registered volunteers to nominate themselves for the President's Volunteer Service Award.

To apply for the President’s Volunteer Service Award through the U.S. Fund for UNICEF, you should be a registered UNICEF volunteer (you can register at unicefusa.org/volunteer), and then please send an e-mail to volunteer@unicefusa.org, stating:

A brief summary of your volunteer activities for UNICEF. If you've also volunteered for another organization, include that information as well.
Your age eligibility category: Child (14 and younger), Young Adult (ages 15 to 25), Adult (25 and older), or Families and Groups (two or more people).
The total number of hours you have volunteered in the last 12 months.

If you haven't already, please nominate yourself today!

The U.S. Fund for UNICEF is now accepting nominations for the President's Volunteer Service Award.

We're pleased to again announce our participation in the President's Volunteer Service Award program. This award is a Presidential honor that recognizes the valuable contributions of volunteers nationwide who are answering President George W. Bush's call to serve others through their volunteer activities.

We invite you to apply for this award if you meet the eligibility requirements outlined at the Volunteer Service Award home page.

To apply for the President’s Volunteer Service Award through the U.S. Fund for UNICEF, you should be a registered UNICEF volunteer (you can register at our volunteer website), and then please send an e-mail to volunteer@unicefusa.org, stating:

A brief summary of your volunteer activities for UNICEF. If you've also volunteered for another organization, include that information as well.
Your age eligibility category: Child (14 and younger), Young Adult (Ages 15 to 25), Adult (25 and older), or Families and Groups (two or more people)
The total number of hours you have volunteered in the last 12 months.

Please submit your e-mail to volunteer@unicefusa.org by March 21, 2008. Thank you!

If you’ve read our advocacy alert on cluster munitions, you know that unexploded cluster munitions pose a major risk for children.

That's why the U.S. Fund for UNICEF supports S. 594, the Cluster Munitions Civilian Protection Act. This legislation would prevent the United States from using or exporting cluster munitions with a failure rate of more than one percent, and would ensure that U.S. cluster munitions will only be used against clearly defined military targets—not in civilian areas.

Unfortunately, at present S. 594 only has 12 cosponsors. That's not enough to show the bipartisan commitment needed for the Senate to vote on this legislation.

Today is the Global Day of Action on Cluster Munitions and we're participating in a national call-in day in support of S. 594. Please join us and let your Senators know that Americans care about the use of these inhumane weapons. It's easy:

• Call the toll-free number (800-352-1897) during regular business hours (Eastern time!), to connect to the Capitol Switchboard.
• Ask for one of your Senator’s offices: “May I speak with Senator ___’s office?”
• When connected, say:
  • My name is ______, and I live in [CITY, STATE]. Thanks for taking my call.
  • I'm calling to ask Senator _______ to cosponsor S. 594, the Cluster Munitions Civilian Protection Act. This is important to me, to help protect children around the world. Please let me know if the Senator will cosponsor this legislation.
  • Thank you!

Then repeat the process for your other Senator.

That’s it! Hearing from constituents is very important for our federal legislators – your call today can help protect children from cluster munitions.

Please use the comments below to let us know who you've called and how it goes.

With over 750 votes in, this year's box is in the lead.

Have you voted yet?

Are you going to be Trick-or-Treating for UNICEF tomorrow night?

Attention American Express card holders! Here's a quick, free way you can help UNICEF bring safe drinking water to thousands of kids.

UNICEF's clean water program is one of 50 finalists in The Members Project. American Express will donate $1 for every card holder who registers here - with up to $5 million going to the organization with the most votes.

Here's where you come in: the voting starts this week and, if you have an American Express card, we need your vote. Help UNICEF secure these funds by registering and casting your vote for "Children's Safe Drinking Water" (Project ID #1250). Help us get clean water to the world's most vulnerable children.

If your co-workers and family members are American Express card holders, please ask them to take a few minutes to register and vote for UNICEF. If you have an idea about how we can work together to spread the word to more American Express card holders and ask them to cast their vote on the American Express site, please comment here and let us know.

Maybe you received two of the same gift this Christmas? Or maybe you're using some of your holiday vacation time to clean closets and prepare for a fresh in 2007?

If you find you have valuable items that you no longer have a need for, I hope you'll consider selling them on eBay and donating a portion or even all of the proceeds to benefit UNICEF's work. Here's how you can sell your item to benefit the United States Fund for UNICEF.

Our best wishes for a happy, peaceful new year.