The United Nations Association of New York 2010 UN Day Humanitarian Awards Dinner
From left: Mr. Amir Dossal, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon, Mr. Feike Sijbesma.
On Thursday, October 21, The United Nations Association of New York hosted its Annual Humanitarian Awards Dinner in New York. The event observed UN Day, the 65th anniversary of the entry into force of the UN Charter, and acknowledged the work of individuals and corporations who further the UN Millennium Development Goal of global partnerships, ending poverty and eliminating world hunger.
This year's theme, "Partnerships to End Poverty and World Hunger," highlighted initiatives of corporate partnerships and corporate social responsibility, in particular those partnerships formed with the United Nations World Food Program. Mr. Amir Dossal, Executive Director of the United Nations Office for Partnerships, and Mr. Feike Sijbesma, Chief Executive Officer of Royal DSM (the Netherlands), were honored for their accomplishments and commitment to fostering global partnerships and corporate social responsibility respectively.
DSM, a world leader in vitamins and nutritional ingredients, has been active in helping to make progress towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). By partnering with the UN World Food Program, DSM has made a commitment to fight hunger around the world and has been raising awareness of the pressing issue of malnutrition. DSM provides not only products but especially technical and scientific expertise and has developed tailored nutritional solutions that are specifically designed to meet the nutritional requirements of people in the developing world.
"It is an honor to receive this award as an acknowledgement of DSM's commitment to addressing the issue of hidden hunger," said Mr. Sijbesma. "For me this award is given to all employees of DSM worldwide who are inspired and motivated to contribute to helping those people in the world who need our help urgently. At DSM we feel that it is our responsibility to raise awareness of, and find solutions for, nutrition security in order to improve the lives of millions of people in need and mobilize individuals, organizations and businesses around the world to act."
At the United Nations Office for Partnerships, Amir Dossal, has done pioneering work in bringing together the public and private sectors to address global challenges through creative partnerships and alliances. His "top down" approach of engaging government leaders, captains of industry, leaders of civil society, and social entrepreneurs, through intellectual and emotional involvement in the MDGs, has resulted in well over a thousand new initiatives over the last decade.
"My colleagues and I are very grateful for this special recognition. Our success only comes because of the deep commitment of our partners, to make a lasting difference," said Mr. Dossal. "We are very grateful for the opportunity to provide a partnership platform and to serve as a voice for the voiceless."
The evening's glow was given an extra sparkle and warmth by the presence of the two presiding Masters of Ceremonies, ABC anchor Dan Harris and Petra Nemcova, founder of Happy Hearts Fund.
Our 2010 annual event also raised funds for The Worldview Institute, a UNA-NYC corporate executive forum for young leaders that fosters greater understanding of political, economic and social issues around the world.
Past UNA-NYC Humanitarian Award recipients include: Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations; Olafur Ragnar Grimsson, President of Iceland; Sadayuki Sakakibara, President of Toray Industries, Inc.; Antony Burgmans, former Chairman of Unilever; Robert L. Corcoran, President of General Electric Foundation; Ann M. Veneman, Executive Director of UNICEF; Guy Laliberte, Founder and Chief Executive of Cirque du Soleil and the One Drop Foundation, Lord Norman Foster, Founder and Chairman of Foster + Partners and Al Carey, President of Frito Lay North America.