[child-rights] 2003 World of Children Awards for child advocacy

NEW YORK, 18 November 2003 ­ International and regional school children
brought together at UNICEF headquarters for a Global Town Hall meeting
challenged the three 2003 World of Children honorees on issues critical to
children's rights. At the session, Mrs. Nane Annan, a lawyer, painter,
children's book author and wife of UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, gave
the keynote address and participated in the vibrant discussion.

Eighty students from the UN International School and regional schools
dialogued with the World of Children honorees and Mrs. Annan regarding
issues ranging from child slavery to the alarming rise of HIV/AIDS among
youth worldwide. The discussion was held in conjunction with the
announcement of the recipients of the Sixth Annual World of Children
Awards. Often referred to as the "Nobel Prize for child advocacy" the
awards were bestowed as follows:

Fani Lerner, former first lady of Curitiba, Parana, Brazil, was presented
with The Kellogg's Child Development Award, a $100,000 award sponsored by
the Kellogg Corporate Citizenship Fund, the founding sponsor and
charitable arm of Kellogg Company. This award recognizes those who have
made extraordinary contributions to children by significantly improving
their opportunities to learn and grow. Ms. Lerner was honored for her
leadership, which revolutionized social work in Brazil by creating 16
programs for needy children and adolescents, including initiatives to
feed, shelter and educate homeless, orphaned, abandoned, physically
disabled and mentally handicapped children.

Dr. Martin Eichelberger, founder and president of the National SAFE KIDS
Campaign and director of emergency trauma and burn services at Children's
National Medical Center in Washington D.C, was awarded with The Cardinal
Health Children's Care Award, a prestigious $100,000 award sponsored by
the Cardinal Health Foundation, the charitable arm of leading health care
products and services provider, Cardinal Health. This award recognizes an
individual who has made a significant lifetime contribution to the health
and well-being of children. Dr. Eichelberger has contributed extensively
to the field of pediatric trauma and injury control.

Ryan Hreljac, age 12, of Kemptville, Ontario, Canada, was awarded with The
Founder's Award, a $15,000 scholarship, recognizes a young person under
age 21, who is making extraordinary contributions to other children. Ryan
founded the Ryan's Well Foundation at age six and has raised nearly
$800,000 since 1998 to build more than 70 wells that help provide fresh
water and adequate sanitation in seven African countries.

"Last year, world leaders pledged at the UN children's summit to work
toward 'A world fit for children," Mrs. Annan said. "There is still a long
way to go until every child can grow up free from fear and free from want.
In my travels around the world, I have met countless children who have
told me in words, poems or drawings about their most unbearable situation,
and yet they have found their way to a school, a kitchen or a caring
family.  They stand in front of me, still with hope and trust in their
eyes. We must not let them down."

"Today we are honoring persons who keenly understand this, and the world
is a richer and improved place when children's rights and dignity are
respected," expressed Mrs. Annan.

Founder of the World of Children Awards, Harry Leibowitz, said "With these
awards we hope to inspire more people to recognize that what really
matters is making the world safer, healthier and more caring for children.
By providing these funds and recognition for those who make a critical
difference, we seek to raise the voices of children around the world."

The World of Children Award finalists were selected from hundreds of
global applicants. The World of Children's International Advisory Council,
headed by boxing legend Muhammad Ali, a UN Messenger of Peace, chose the
finalists. Carlos Gutierrez, chairman and chief executive officer, Kellogg
Company, said Ms. Lerner, recipient of the Kellogg's Child Development
Award "serves as an inspiration to all of us that we can do more to
alleviate poverty and provide opportunities for the world's most
vulnerable children."

Robert D. Walter, chairman and chief executive officer of Cardinal Health
praised Dr. Eichelberger, recipient of the Cardinal Health Children's Care
Award, calling him "an exceptional individual whose efforts have touched
the lives of thousands of children."

The World of Children and the U.S. Fund for UNICEF are working to help
bring attention to the plight of children around the world and to the
children's advocates who have significantly impacted the lives and well
being of children.

UNICEF Press release



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