UNICEF's Next Generation

Next Gen LA Launch Event at LACMA - May 9th!!

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 00:04:41 -0400

You are invited to UNICEF’s Next Gen Launch Party at the LACMA on Thursday, May 9th at 7pm!

Guests are invited to enjoy an open bar, hors d’oeuvres, and music in the modernist galleries of LACMA.

When: Thursday, May 9th at 7pm in Los Angeles
Where: LACMA
Tickets: On sale now! Visit here for tickets and further info: www.unicefusa.org/nextgenLACMA

This event supports our Colombia Project, which Next Gen has pledged to raise over $100k to ensure that UNICEF can help the indigenous children of Colombia have access to clean water, nutrition, and are protected from violence, exploitation, and abuse. www.unicefusa.org/nextgencolombiaproject

Today’s Hero for Zero? Audrey Hepburn

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 15:50:28 -0400

Meet Audrey:
Audrey Hepburn was born in Brussels, Belgium, on May 4, 1929. As a young girl, she became involved in ballet and took part in several small film roles, which was only the beginning of her entertainment career. In the midst of World War II, young Hepburn was among many other starving children who received food and other aid from the United Nation’s relief efforts. This would be the inspiration for her later devotion to children’s aid with UNICEF. Despite Audrey Hepburn’s fame as a fashion and Hollywood icon, she was extremely committed to her global humanitarian efforts with UNICEF. Beginning in the late 1980s, Hepburn utilized her stardom to become the voice for UNICEF and for the children of the world.

Audrey Hepburn and UNICEF Join Forces:
In the fall of 1987, Audrey Hepburn became a Goodwill Ambassador forUNICEF, dedicating herself to several UNICEF project visits in Africa, Asia and Latin America. As Hepburn stated, “I can testify to what UNICEF means to children, because I was among those who received food and medical relief right after World War II…I have a long-lasting gratitude and trust for what UNICEF does.”
Not only did Hepburn travel internationally on behalf of UNICEF, but also spread the word about UNICEF and its work to the media, conducting up to 15 daily interviews and speeches, testifying before United States’ Congress, participating in the World Summit for Children, promoting UNICEF’s State of the World’s Children reports, hosting Danny Kaye International Children’s Award ceremonies, and taking part in benefit concert tours.

Audrey Hepburn as a Woman of History:

Audrey Hepburn signifies a woman of resilience, strength and hope, not only for the children of the world, but also for other women. Despite hardships in her life, Hepburn continued her mission of fighting for those in need. As Hepburn once stated, “I have learnt how to live…how to be in the world and of the world, and not just to stand aside and watch.”
Her life now inspires others to take action for those in suffering and despair, including several celebrities. For women, Audrey Hepburn is a strong figure, and as a result of her experiences, she managed to shape her own future and fought for others to do the same.
It gives us great pleasure to name Audrey Hepburn our Hero for Zero this Women’s History Month, as she was an incredible role model for not only women, but others to stand up and advocate for the vulnerable children of the world.

“As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.” Her tough spirit is an extraordinary example of an empowered woman that inspires others to seek excellence, beauty and compassion in their own lives.

Hepburn’s legacy still continues through UNICEF’s Audrey Hepburn® Society, a donor recognition group inspired by Audrey Hepburn’s legacy of service. If you are between the ages of 21 -40 and would like to join the Audrey Hepburn® Society, you can join with a gift of $5,000 and follow in Audrey’s legacy of helping the world’s children. For more information please visit: www.unicefusa.org/AudreyHepburnSociety

To Join UNICEF’s Next Generation, visit: www.unicefusa.org/joinnextgeneration
For more on Audrey Hepburn, visit: http://www.unicef.org/people/people_audrey_hepburn.html

UNI52696 (Audrey holding baby in crowd)
© UNICEF/NYHQ1990-0081/Charlesworth
Audrey Hepburn is accompanied by children on a walk in the hamlet of Phuc Ly, Phu Minh Commune, Tu Liem District near Hanoi.
The visit of UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Audrey Hepburn to Vietnam in October/November of 1990 contributed to drawing world attention to the needs of children in this aid- starved country. UNICEF cooperation in Vietnam focuses on increasing primary health care outreach including immunization, growth monitoring and maternal care; the construction of handpumps and latrines to extend safe water and sanitation availability; and support for daycare centres and universal primary

UNI52698 (Audrey distributes books)
© UNICEF/NYHQ1990-0083/Charlesworth

Audrey Hepburn distributes UNICEF-supplied exercise books to school children of the Dao Tay hilltribes in remote Hoang Lien Son Province in Northern Vietnam.
The visit of UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Audrey Hepburn to Vietnam in October/November of 1990 contributed to drawing world attention to the needs of children in this aid- starved country. UNICEF cooperation in Vietnam focuses on increasing primary health care outreach including immunization, growth monitoring and maternal care; the construction of hand pumps and latrines to extend safe water and sanitation availability; and support for daycare centers and universal primary education including the training of teachers and supplies provision. UNICEF also directs special attention to the country’s isolated minorities.

This year, UNICEF’s International Women’s Day theme is ‘a promise is a promise: time for action to end violence against women’. Learn how you can take action against gender based violence!

Fri, 08 Mar 2013 11:37:59 -0500

This year, UNICEF’s International Women’s Day theme is ‘a promise is a promise: time for action to end violence against women’. Learn how you can take action against gender based violence!

Learn how to turn your social network into a water network and provide a child with 200 days of clean water for only $5!

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 11:24:12 -0500

Learn how to turn your social network into a water network and provide a child with 200 days of clean water for only $5!

“Women can and must play a leading role in political...

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 10:37:19 -0500

“Women can and must play a leading role in political participation, conflict resolution and the transition from conflict to peace.”
-Hervé Ladsous, UN peacekeeping chief

"I have learnt how to live…how to be in the world & of the world, and not just to stand..."

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 10:30:32 -0500

““I have learnt how to live…how to be in the world & of the world, and not just to stand aside & watch””

- Audrey Hepburn

"There is nothing excusable about violence against women and girls anywhere, at any time. Nothing."

Wed, 06 Mar 2013 14:38:35 -0500

““There is nothing excusable about violence against women and girls anywhere, at any time. Nothing.””

- Michelle Bachelet (Former Chilean president and executive director of UN Women)

UNiTE to end violence against women this March, Women’s...

Tue, 05 Mar 2013 15:48:23 -0500

UNiTE to end violence against women this March, Women’s History Month!

"I hope to focus on what I’m passionate about because I think I’d do them best job on..."

Tue, 05 Mar 2013 14:04:36 -0500

““I hope to focus on what I’m passionate about because I think I’d do them best job on them- education, urban education, women and children’s issues and literacy.” -Jenna Bush Hager”

Check out how UNICEF is helping to relieve the crisis in Syria!

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 12:06:27 -0500

Check out how UNICEF is helping to relieve the crisis in Syria!

Meet our NEW Founding Steering Committee members in LA!!!!

Mon, 25 Feb 2013 10:56:19 -0500

Meet our NEW Founding Steering Committee members in LA!!!!

UNICEF’s Next Gen wishes you a happy Valentine’s...

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 15:03:00 -0500

UNICEF’s Next Gen wishes you a happy Valentine’s Day!

Today’s Hero for Zero? 11 year old Sharda from Uttar Pradesh, India

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 14:05:30 -0500

UNICEF & India Join Forces:

UNICEF has been working in India since 1949, and is the largest UN organization in the country. UNICEF has 13 state offices in the country, to allow the organization to reach even the most remote regions. UNICEF’s efforts in the country are directed in helping families guarantee the health and development of their children through access to health services, clean water and education.

Hygiene and Sanitation Practices in Uttar Pradesh:

Unhealthy sanitation and hygiene practices effects countless people inhabiting the Uttar Pradesh region. According to a recent Indian government survey, 130 million people in the state defecate in public, leaving only 36 percent of households with toilets. Public defecation not only is a serious health risk, but also a serious safety risk for women in the village who are forced to use the bathroom before daylight. Women without the necessary household toilets are forced to openly defecate in the fields before dawn, in the midst of dangerous snakes, scorpions and insects. The risks are not just limited to hygiene and safety, but also to the environment in which these villages inhabit.

Meet Sharda:

Eleven-year-old Sharda and his friends have learned at an early age the importance of good sanitation and hygiene practices through school. In a joint effort, they walk through the streets of their village, Lalapur, beating drums and chanting:

“Adopt hygienic practices, say goodbye to diseases” and “Daughters and mothers not to go to the fields [to defecate], let us protect their dignity [by having toilets]”.

Through Sharda and his friends’ efforts, they have begun to break an unhealthy cycle and open up a dialogue about the issue, mobilizing their community to take action towards a healthy lifestyle. Sharda’s village, Lalapur, now has transitioned to using toilets, as well as washing hands, and the health and dignity of the community has been restored. The success of Lalapur is also one that can be replicated in other villages, thanks to the initiative taken by the young heroes, like Sharda. We thank Sharda and those like them for the work they do in improving the lives of children across India!

For the full story, click here:

http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/india_65717.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ux7DbHgWm7U

Written by Alexis… UNICEF’s Next Generation Intern 2/7/13

Do you know a Hero for Zero? Please share your story with us!

December Monthly Mission!

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 11:44:32 -0500

December Monthly Mission!

Next Gen Vietnam Conference Call

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 11:09:45 -0500

NEXT GENERATION HEARS FIRST HAND HOW OUR VIET NAM CHILD PROTECTION PROJECT WILL CHANGE THE FUTURE FOR MILLIONS OF CHILDREN

UNICEF is proud to be working in partnership with the Vietnamese government to establish strong, effective and sustainable social protection systems for children. The number of Vietnamese children facing horrific conditions such as sexual abuse, disabilities, infections, HIV/AIDS, and criminal involvement is staggering. The Vietnam Ministry of Labor estimates that almost 18% of all Vietnamese children deal with these challenges. The focus of UNICEF’s work on child protection is to develop a social protection system that spans from the creation of child protection legislation, to building a framework for the development of the social services profession, to community care for children with disabilities, to raising awareness.

On Monday, December 17th, UNICEF’s Next Gen had the opportunity to hear about the conditions in Viet Nam first hand, and just how our efforts will help create change. We were fortunate enough to have Vietnam Country Representative, Lotta Sylwander and the Chief of Child Protection, Le Hong Loan call in from the UNICEF Vietnam Office (even during a torrential downpour!). They shared that in Viet Nam, child protection has largely been viewed as a private family issue, rather than a public service. In fact, until 2 years ago, there was not one social worked in Vietnam and it was not even recognized as a profession. Now, with the help of UNICEF, Viet Nam is working towards a goal of 30,000 social workers by 2015.

Ho Chi Minh City, with a population of 10 million, has a specific need for the development of child protection services, as they have a very large migrant population with migrant children who are at risk of being abused or exploited. Since Ho Chi Minh City is such a large and complex city where child protection issues are abundant and focused, UNICEF believes their work there can be replicated in other communities, cities and provinces throughout Viet Nam.

The project Next Gen is supporting in Ho Chi Minh City focuses on building and strengthening social protection centers, the justice system as well as protecting street children. The funds Next Gen raises ($100,000) will help to develop child friendly police and court systems to help support children who have witnessed or been involved in criminal activity, and UNICEF is working to raise awareness in the community about these centers so families and children know that these services are available to them. Funds raised will also work to support UNICEF develop programs that train local authorities to teach street children how to protect themselves and educate them on their rights and the new services that are available to them.

Ms. Sylwander said it best: Next Gen, thank you for choosing this project; this is a program that we truly believe in and will change the framework for justice for all children in Vietnam now and into the future.

What we learned from these extremely inspiring and dedicated UNICEF leaders reinforced the importance of this project and strengthened our [Next Gen’s] dedication to reaching our goal of raising $100,000 by December 31st. We are almost there! Donate now: www.unicefusa.org/nextgenvietnamproject

Next Gen Member Profile: Nell and Katie

Thu, 20 Dec 2012 10:55:00 -0500

Nell Diamond

Why did you get involved with UNICEF’s Next Generation?

On a trip to Rwanda, I visited UNICEF schools and spoke with representatives from the UNICEF UK office at length about UNICEF and its mission. When I returned to my junior year at Princeton shortly thereafter, I was searching for a way to stay involved. I spoke to Casey Rotter and Jenna Bush Hager, who told me about the Next Generation Steering Committee and I knew it was a perfect fit. Together, we study the most pressing issues facing children around the world, and fund a changing list of projects. I am incredibly proud that so far we have raised over $2.5 million for UNICEF programs worldwide – including nutrition programs in Guatemala, a maternal and neonatal center in Ethiopia and emergency relief efforts in the Horn of Africa.

What do you love about Next Gen?

The Next Gen Steering Committee and Next Gen are full of vibrant, energetic and insanely talented young professionals in a diverse range of industries. Being a Next Gen member has exposed me not only to the wonderful organization that is UNICEF but also to mentors who have guided me through my first ~1.5 years in New York.

Where would you like to see UNICEF’s Next Generation go in the next year?

More MEMBERS! (Join! www.unicefusa.org/joinnextgeneration.) Specifically, I would love to see Next Gen increase its outreach to UNICEF campus initiatives so that recent college graduates living in any of our target cities can continue to be involved with the US Fund through Next Gen. I would also love to start our first international Next Gen Steering Committee in my hometown of London. And of course, I would like our Vietnam project to surpass its goal!

What is your nickname?

Nellie D

What would you do if you were mayor of NYC for a day?

Force everyone to ride bicycles

Tell us something no one would know about Katie?

The accent is fake…

If you could go anywhere in the world today, where would it be?

The North Pole!

What’s the most embarrassing song on your iPod?

I would say Bieber but I am not embarrassed by Bieber.

Favorite NY Christmas Tradition?

Anything but Santacon

Favorite gift you have ever given?

A UNICEF Inspired Gift Card at the 2012 UNICEF Snowflake Ball

Favorite Roommate?

KATIE

Favorite Book?

Most recently… The Sheltering Sky by Paul Bowles

Favorite Movie?

Billy Madison!

Favorite Artist?

Anish Kapoor, Rudolf Stingel, Tracey Emin

Favorite Drink?

Diet Coke

Favorite Food?

Cheese!

Katie Schwartz

Why did you get involved with UNICEF’s Next Generation?

UNICEF believes in the day when ZERO children die of conditions we can prevent, treat or cure. UNICEF Next Generation creates a network of young professionals who together work toward this goal. I wanted to become part of this network. I wanted to work with a global, experienced and committed organization to help save and improve children’s lives around the world.

Where would you like to see UNICEF’s Next Generation go in the next year?

I would like to see more and more young professionals become part of UNICEF’s Next Generation and become involved in helping the lives of young children.

What is your nickname?

Khaki Shorts

What would you do if you were mayor of NYC for a day?

Every food cart would serve cheese grits, sweet tea and biscuits

Tell us something no one would know about Nell?

She’s a closet baker

If you could go anywhere in the world today, where would it be?

Antarctica

What’s the most embarrassing song on your iPod?

There are too many to count…

Favorite NY Christmas Tradition?

Most embarrassing… Santacon

Favorite gift you have ever given?

Volunteering with my family over Christmas at Northside Shepherd Center in Atlanta

Favorite Roommate?

Nell

Favorite Book?

The manuscripts of Libby Van Beuren

Favorite Movie?

Lion King

Favorite Artist?

Andy Warhol

Favorite Drink?

Anything prepared by the mixologist, Lauren Whatley

Favorite Food?

Chick-fil-a Chicken biscuit

Introducing Our Newest Project: Nutrition and Protective Services to Colombia's Indigenous Children

Mon, 17 Dec 2012 11:35:00 -0500

Nutrition and Protective Services to Colombia’s Indigenous Children

Colombia‘s population of 47 million makes it the third most populous country in Latin America, after Brazil and Mexico. Colombia‘s economy is the fifth largest in Latin America. The country is often characterized by its ethnic and geographic diversity, but wealth is unevenly distributed across the population. As a result, many Colombians continue to be affected by poverty, discrimination, and inequality. In fact, the country remains one of the most inequitable in the Americas, surpassed only by Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, and Haiti. Although there has been a substantial decrease in the poverty rate in recent years, around half of the population still lives under the poverty line.

The great humanitarian burden in Colombia can be attributed to violence related to a decades-long conflict between the government and anti-government insurgent groups such as the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). The existence of illegal armed groups, the near-constant threat of violence related to conflict and illegal drug trafficking, landmine accidents, and kidnapping put women and children at grave risk.
Against this backdrop of instability, Colombians are also regularly exposed to natural hazards, such as the recent heavy rains and flooding in the communities of Putumayo. Furthermore, many communities are still recovering from the rainy season of 2010, which includes the loss of homes, displacement, and the disruption of schooling. At least 4 million people have been affected by the seasonal rains since 2010.

Colombia’s 1,378,000 indigenous people remain among the most vulnerable. Of these, 70,000 are victims of internal forced displacement; most live in scattered rural areas with little access to food, safe water, and other basic services and some of them have left their homes to live in marginal areas of the cities. The communities in these urban and rural areas frequently are the victims of homicides, child recruitment, and occupation of their communities by illegal armed groups. These conditions also complicate the response by national or local authorities, who face restrictions in their operations in many areas where population was suffering severe food insecurity.
Indigenous people displaced by the armed conflict are leaving Bogota to return to their homes in Choco and Risaralda after having reached an agreement with the federal and municipal governments. However, local leaders have repeatedly called out the lack of social services for the return to their communities. Women and children have been systematically targeted with sexual violence by armed groups. They are victims of landmines and child recruitment. Access to food and essential medicines has also been blocked. As a result, there has been a rise in the level of malnutrition in indigenous families.

Colombia’s indigenous children and pregnant women require urgent lifesaving assistance and safe water and sanitation services to be able to survive. UNICEF is overseeing an integrated response to ensure access to protective services and nutritional care for indigenous children affected by emergencies. The overall strategy includes interventions in the areas of child protection and nutrition to mitigate the effects of the humanitarian crisis. It also aims to support governmental institutions, indigenous leaders, communities, and families to prepare and respond to the needs of children and women affected by internal displacement, the restrictions placed on mobility, and natural disasters.

The objectives of this project are to:

Strengthen local capabilities of institutions and communities to respond to emergencies.
Support the coordinated response in the areas of nutrition and child protection.
Raise awareness on behalf of the indigenous children affected by the humanitarian crisis.
Implement key interventions at the community and family levels to protect women and children against violence, exploitation, abuse, military recruitment, and the risk of land mine accidents.

An investment of $100,000 could help UNICEF achieve the following:

Provide 1,000 children suffering from moderate and severe acute malnutrition with therapeutic and supplementary food.
Provide 10,000 children under the age of five and 1,000 pregnant and breastfeeding women with micronutrient supplementation.
Provide 4,000 families with safe water and sanitation facilities.
Educate 20,000 Colombians on the prevention of malnutrition, water-borne diseases, and respiratory infections.
Provide 10,000 children with protective spaces where they can learn, play, and receive psychosocial support.
Strengthen social services to prevent the recruitment and exploitation of 20,000 children by armed groups.
Protect 40,000 Colombians from accidents and injuries through mine-risk education programs.

Sample price points include:

19 cents provides 25 individually wrapped bars of hand soap.
$16.93 provides 600 high energy biscuits fortified with vitamins, minerals and protein to victims of the flooding and violence.
$26.70 provides 924 packets of micronutrient powders – enough to ensure that four indigenous children receive their daily dose of vitamins and minerals every day for six months.
$67.03 provides 10,000 Water Purification Tablets, each able to turn 4-5 liters of dirty water into safe drinking water.
$98.56 provides 1,000 sachets of Oral Rehydration Salts, a simple solution of salts and minerals, when mixed with water, are instrumental in relieving diarrhea.
$137.45 provides a Basic Family Water Kit consisting of buckets, collapsible water containers, soap and water purification tablets for 10 families to have all the equipment they need to collect, store, and purify water.
$236.06 provides a School-in-a-Box kit containing everything 40 children need to have a functioning school under any circumstance. This especially generous and innovative gift contains books, pencils, erasers, scissors and even a wind-up solar radio, while the aluminum box lid doubles as a blackboard.
$250 provides two recreation kits containing items such as frisbees, skipping ropes, soccer balls, volleyballs (and nets), handballs, whistles, measuring tape, a chalkboard and chalk to keep scores.
$500 – builds one water pump, which not only provides safe drinking water, it prevents women and children from having to walk miles, often in dangerous situations, to fetch water for their families.
$5,000 – builds one well to provide clean water to nearby communities

Meet our Los Angeles Steering Committee!

Mon, 17 Dec 2012 11:00:50 -0500

Meet our Los Angeles Steering Committee!

Welcome our new Chicago Steering Committee!

Mon, 17 Dec 2012 10:58:41 -0500

Welcome our new Chicago Steering Committee!

Social Media: What's What for the Week

Sat, 08 Dec 2012 16:05:59 -0500

Lady Gaga recently took some time to see UNICEF’s work in South Africa while she was on her Born This Way Ball Tour. She also visited a UNICEF-supported child friendly school in Peru last month.

Yesterday, Lady Gaga posted photos from both trips on her Little Monsters social network. This is a very promising partnership, and it would be great if you and your constituents could help spread the word! Below, you’ll find both links to her original tweets (which you can retweet) and suggested posts.

Lady Gaga Tweets to RT:

http://bit.ly/R7Z8bq
“HERE IT IS: The Lady Gaga UN/UNICEF webpage. Follow my personal visits and get involved http://littlemonsters.com/ununicef”

http://bit.ly/11EHlKT
“On Dec. 1 I visited Isibindi Safe Park in Naledi to speak w the children about Youth Empowerment on behalf of UN/UNICEF pic.twitter.com/yQa1EYa0”

Suggested Tweets:

.@ladygaga was in S. Africa meeting/kids & learning about @UNICEF’s work! Check out her photos from the visit: http://littlemonsters.com/ununicef

Don’t miss @ladygaga’s photos from S. Africa & Peru. It’s great to see her raising awareness/support for @UNICEF! http://littlemonsters.com/ununicef

What an inspiring video! - @ladygaga pays a surprise visit to a school in Peru on her first @UNICEF trip: http://bit.ly/THlpMA

Suggested Facebook/Google+ Post:

Don’t miss @Lady Gaga’s photos from field visits in South Africa and Peru. It’s great to see her raising awareness and support for @UNICEF! http://littlemonsters.com/ununicef

This post has a few @-tags which need to be applied manually.