The United Nations Association of New York 2007 UN Day Humanitarian Awards Dinner
From left: Peter Rajsingh, President of UNA-NYC; Antony Burgmans, former Chairman of Unilever; Mrs. & Mr. Ban Ki-moon; Guy Laliberte, Cirque du Soleil; Ambassador Joseph Verner Reed; Wilfrid J. Wilkinson, President of Rotary International.
The scope of the Global Water Crisis is staggering. Water scarcity already affects every continent and over 40% of the world's people. More than 2.2 million people, many in developing countries, die each year from diseases associated with poor water and unsanitary conditions. Every 15 seconds, a child dies
The United Nations Association of New York, UNA-NYC, hosted the 3rd annual Humanitarian Awards gala dinner on Thursday, October 25, 2007, in the Delegates Dining Room at the United Nations.
UNA-NYC's Humanitarian Awards are presented each year in observance of United Nations Day. Our focus this year, The Global Water Crisis, recognized that 1.1 billion people lack access to clean water resulting in disease particularly amongst children and premature death.
UNA-NYC recognized three honorees for their outstanding achievement and very significant efforts to provide clean water to millions of people around the world. The honorees have demonstrated deep commitment and global leadership on water initiatives and sustainable development.
Guy Laliberte, Cirque du Soleil and One Drop Foundation.
Rotary International and Foundation.
Antony Burgmans, former Chairman of Unilever.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Madame Ban attended the reception. The Secretary-General addressed the honorees and reception guests. Ambassador Joseph Verner Reed was the Master of Ceremonies at the dinner. Internationally-known Cirque du Soleil performed its magic as part of the evening's entertainment. The attendees represented a diverse and distinguished group of leaders from the diplomatic and business communities, non-governmental organizations, and entertainment industry, as well as the NYC community and supporters of the United Nations. As a memento of the evening, more than 30 publishers donated multiple copies of handsome, illustrated books on various water-related themes.