Demi
Lovato, Joe Manganiello and Mandy Patinkin today threw their talent behind a
United Nations effort to end extreme poverty, address inequality and protect
the planet against climate change through the Sustainable Development Goals.
The
three voices in the upcoming film “Smurfs: The Lost Village,” joined officials
from the United Nations, UNICEF and United Nations Foundation to celebrate the
International Day of Happiness and show their support for the Sustainable
Development Goals at UN Headquarters in New York as part of the
#SmallSmurfsBigGoals campaign.
The
campaign is designed to encourage young people everywhere to learn about and
support the 17 Sustainable Development Goals adopted by world leaders at the UN
in 2015. As part of the celebrations,
Team Smurfs recognized three young advocates: Karan Jerath (20), Sarina Divan
(17), and Noor Samee (17), for their actions in furthering issues addressed by
the Goals.
Jerath
invented a containment device that could prevent offshore oil spills and ensure
the protection of marine life, and has since become a UN Young Leader for the
SDGs. Divan expanded a UN Foundation girl empowerment initiative at her high
school and beyond, and Samee is a UNICEF blogger and advocate challenging
social justice issues and raising awareness of the Sustainable Development
Goals.
The
#SmallSmurfsBigGoals campaign culminates on the International Day of Happiness,
which recognizes that Gross Domestic Product alone cannot measure the wealth
and well-being of a country’s population and a more inclusive, equitable,
balanced and sustainable approach to growth and development is key to being
happy. This idea is closely linked to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals,
which have among its aims decent work for all, access to nutritious food,
quality education and health services, and freedom from discrimination, giving
everyone a chance to enjoy peace, prosperity and happiness.
“This
inspirational campaign highlights the fact that each and every one of us, no
matter how young or old, small or big, can make our world a happier place,”
said Cristina Gallach, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for
Communications and the Department of Public Information.“We are grateful to
Sony Pictures Animation and Team Smurfs for their spirit of collaboration.”
The
movie’s U.S. stars Demi Lovato, Joe Manganiello, Mandy Patinkin and director
Kelly Asbury, on behalf of Team Smurfs presented the three young students with
a symbolickey to the Smurfs Villagein recognition of their work in advancing
the Sustainable Development Goals as an example for others to follow.
“Today
we have seen how the Small Smurfs Big Goals campaign is giving children and
young people a platform to speak out about issues they are passionate about. As
we celebrate International Day of Happiness, we hope many more young people are
empowered to take action on the Sustainable Development Goals and help achieve
a world free from poverty, inequality and injustice.” said Caryl M. Stern,
UNICEF US Fund President & CEO.
The
United Nations Postal Administration also unveiledaspecial edition stamp
sheetfeaturing the Small Smurfs Big Goals campaign at the event. The film cast
along with the Belgian Ambassador to the United Nations Marc Pecsteen de
Buytswerve and United Nations Assistant Secretary-General for Management
Stephen Cuttspresented the #SmallSmurfsBigGoals UN stamps to the press.
The
actors and UN officials went on to address some 1,500 international Model UN
students in the iconic General Assembly Hall of the United Nations, where they
encouraged all attendees and the public to join “Team Smurfs.” The campaign
invites the general public to visit SmallSmurfsBigGoals.com to find out how to
contribute to achieving the Goals; discover which goals are best suited to your
interests; raise your voice for a better world for all; and share information,
ideas and images on social media.
The
actors capped the presentation by premiering a new Public Service Announcement
video starring cast members of the film Demi Lovato, Joe Manganiello, Michelle
Rodriguez, and Mandy Patinkininspiring viewers to join the campaign and
champion the Sustainable Development Goals.
“We hope the campaign will help us all think
about how our actions impact the planet,” said Demi Lovato. “Every one of us,
even a Small Smurf, can accomplish big goals.”Along
with the event at the United Nations, other celebrations took place in 18
countries around the world including Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Russia, and
the UK, to name a few, to help raise awareness for the Small Smurfs Big Goals
campaign and the Sustainable Development Goals.On
Monday, March 20, the cast and other campaign partners will help turn the
Empire State Building blue in celebration of the Day.
“Since
1958, the Smurfs have embodied around the world the universal values of
camaraderie, helping one another, tolerance, optimism, and respecting Mother
Nature,” said Véronique Culliford, the daughter of Peyo, who created the
Smurfs. “It’s been an honor and privilege for The Smurfs to support the United
Nations and to continue our longstanding relationship with UNICEF with this
campaign focused on raising awareness for the Sustainable Development Goals.”
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