The United Nations Association of New York 2011 UN Day Humanitarian Awards Dinner
From left: UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin, Johnson & Johnson Vice Chair Sheri S. McCoy, Winston Global Energy Chair Winston Chung, Christy Turlington Burns, Royal DSM CEO Feike Sijbesma, and Global Partnerships' Founder and Chairman Amir Dossal.
On Thursday, October 13, diplomats, business leaders, local dignitaries and other distinguished guests attended The United Nations Association of New York Annual UN Day Gala. The event honored Humanitarians of the Year, Sheri McCoy of Johnson & Johnson and Supermodel Christy Turlington Burns. Also announced was the Inaugural Social Entrepreneur and Philanthropist of the Year Award.
This annual award was initiated to commemorate Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's accomplishments and election to a second term of office. Winston Chung was chosen as the inaugural recipient recognizing his extraordinary commitment to social entrepreneurship through clean energy generation, storage and distribution. Social entrepreneurship and a commitment environmental sustainability have been at the top of the Secretary-General's global agenda.
Dr. Peter Rajsingh, Chair of the Gala and Awards Committee stated in announcing the new award: "The choice of Mr. Winston Chung as the first recipient of this important award recognizes his commitment to innovation, global citizenship and philanthropy and the important imperatives of clean and sustainable energy solutions, thereby helping achieve the seventh of the eight UN Millennium Development Goals, regarding environmental sustainability."
Ms. Paula Rice Jackson, President of UNA-NYC, said: "Winston Chung's leadership, initiative and dedication to being a change agent in the field of energy efficiency make him an inspiration to us all and worthy recipient of this inaugural award."
Changing the world by championing environmental sustainability has been Winston Chung's personal mission as an inventor, entrepreneur, and philanthropist for over 30 years. As a corporate leader and inventor of the Rare Earth Lithium-Yttrium Rechargeable Battery and the Rare Earth Lithium-Sulfur Rechargeable Battery, Mr. Chung's collective enterprises — Winston Global Energy and Winston Battery Manufacturing — not only produce sustainable transportation technologies on a global scale, but they are leading the way for the next wave of the global energy revolution. Spanning multiple nations, including: China, the United States and Europe, his companies employ over 7,100 people, with total assets in the billions of dollars worldwide.
Ms. Sheri McCoy, representing Johnson & Johnson, was honored for the company's longstanding philanthropic commitments and outstanding corporate social responsibility focused on improving the health and wellbeing of women and children. The evening paid special tribute to Johnson & Johnson's new initiative Every Mother, Every Child. In partnership with the United Nations, Johnson & Johnson is dedicated to improving the health of as many as 120 million women and children each year in developing countries by 2015 through programs such as Children without Worms and Helping Babies Breathe.
Maternal advocate Christy Turlington Burns is the founder of Every Mother Counts, an advocacy campaign to increase education and support for maternal and child health worldwide. Motivated by her own challenges during childbirth, the former supermodel and now filmmaker, has dedicated her resources to globally helping mothers have healthy childbirth experiences.
The United Nations Association of New York is the host UN chapter of UNA-USA. It is dedicated to supporting the principles and vital work of the United Nations, strengthening the UN system and promoting constructive US leadership. The UNA-NYC UN Day Gala is held every October to celebrate the founding of the United Nations.