Norwegian Minister for Children, Equality and Social Inclusion, Mr. Audun Lysbakken, joins UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and President Bill Clinton to launch MASSIVEGOODa new micro-donation initiative that will allow travelers to give $2 towards the three health-related Millennium Development Goals.
Called MASSIVEGOOD, this program was created by the Millennium Foundation and will be available at the point-of-sale in travel agencies and on websites like Travelocity and Accor Hotels as of March 4th. Funds raised through MASSIVEGOOD will go to UNITAID, which has already made a major impact on HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis treatment in developing countries, and to improve maternal and child health.
At this event, President Clinton with the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will “click” on MASSIVEGOOD and make a $2 donation to the effort on www.massivegood.org, thus kicking off this movement based on raising awareness of simple “citizen solutions” to meeting the Millennium Development Goals.
Key speakers will also include Minister of Children and Equality of Norway Mr. Audun Bjørlo Lysbakken, Her Royal Highness Princess Cristina of Spain, representing the Fundación “La Caixa”, First Lady of the Republic of Namibia Her Excellency Mrs. Penehupifo Pohamba, World Bank Managing Director Mr. Graeme Wheeler, United Nations Special Advisor to the Secretary-General of the UN in charge of Innovative Finance for Development and Chairman of the Millennium Foundation and UNITAID Dr. Philippe Douste-Blazy, United Nations Secretary General Special Envoy for Malaria Mr. Raymond Chambers, as well as representatives of the civil society and leaders of the travel industry.
Accredited members of the press are invited to this event. A press conference will be held in the Dag Hammarskjold Auditorium at 11:40am, and questions from the press will be taken.
Statements will be given by United Nations Special Advisor to the Secretary-General of the UN in charge of Innovative Finance for Development and Chairman of the Millennium Foundation and UNITAID Dr. Philippe Douste-Blazy, United Nations Secretary General Special Envoy for Malaria Mr. Ray Chambers, Managing Director of the Millennium Foundation for Innovative Finance for Health, Dr. Bernard Salomé, World Bank Vice President, Human Development Network Mr. Julian Schweitzer and American Society Travel Agents Chief Executive Officer Mr. William Maloney.
Journalists wishing to attend the meeting or the press conference after the meeting in ECOSOC who are not yet accredited to the UN should obtain credentials in advance. It is possible for non accredited journalists to obtain one-day accreditation. Complete instructions are available at http://www.un.org/media/accreditation/. The press conference will provide substantial background to the journalists who will attend.
In addition to the first inaugural click on MASSIVEGOOD, a special session will held to discuss developments in “innovative finance,” a growing trend in fundraising that has already raised billions in additional funds for global health needs.
For press information, please contact: Jienna Foster jienna.foster@millennium-foundation.org +41 789 33 1884