Jordan Times
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Queen’s humanitarian efforts recognised
AMMAN (JT) - Her Majesty Queen Rania on Thursday accepted the United Nations Association of the USA (UNAUSA) Global Humanitarian Action Award in New York, where she promised “to keep doing all I can to be worthy of the honour you have bestowed on me tonight”.
Queen Rania was recognised for her philanthropic efforts, including her role advocating the rights, health and safety of children around the world as UNICEF’s first Eminent Advocate for Children.
The ceremony was attended by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, Princess Firyal and Ted Turner, Founder of CNN, who presented the award to Her Majesty.
The Queen detailed the lessons learned during her first year championing children’s issues as UNICEF Eminent Advocate. She has been supporting UNICEF’s role in improving the lives of children all over the world.
“You and I have been lucky to raise our children in safe and supportive environments, where things like healthcare, nutrition and education can be taken for granted. But for millions of children around the world, life hangs on the slenderest thread - a knit cap to keep warm, clean water to drink, the means to ward off a mosquito,” she said.
“And while children in America and Jordan may dream about what they want to be when they grow up, for millions of children around the world, just to make it to the age of five is an achievement. Children like them are counting on us to give them a fighting chance,” she pleaded, “because every child of every parent deserves protection and care.”
The Queen’s activities in the Kingdom have included several visits to UNICEF-supported health centres to promote Jordan’s advancement in providing quality healthcare access. Queen Rania has also launched several appeals for Iraqi and Palestinian children.
As an advocate of advancing health and educational opportunities in Jordan and across the globe, Queen Rania has pioneered a number of local initiatives focused on child health and safety. She established the Kingdom’s first children’s museum in Amman, to encourage and nurture lifelong learning for children and their families. During the holy month of Ramadan, Queen Rania adopted four public schools with a plan to renovate their infrastructure and improve the learning experience there.
The UNAUSA is a not-for-profit membership organisation dedicated to building understanding and supporting the ideals and work of the United Nations among the American people. Its educational and humanitarian campaigns, including teaching students in urban schools, clearing minefields and providing school-based support for children living in HIV/AIDS-affected communities in Africa, allow people to make a global impact at the local level. The association is affiliated with the World Federation of United Nations. Past recipients of this award include Oprah Winfrey and Angelina Jolie.