Kofi Annan,
Jay-Z announce UN-MTV global campaign on world's water crisis
9
August 2006 – “Most of us take water for granted,” the
Secretary-General told reporters at a press
conference in New York held to launch the initiative, “but, for more than
a billion people who lack access to safe drinking water, this is an
inconceivable dream.”
He pointed out that some 2.6
billion people have no access to proper sanitation, with “devastating”
consequences. “The water crisis - like many issues confronting our world - can
only be fully addressed with the active participation of young people
everywhere.”
“Working with MTV and Jay-Z,
all of us at the UN hope this campaign will motivate youth to take action both
in their own lives, and in support of broad eco-friendly initiatives,” Mr.
Annan said.
The internationally renowned
recording artist said at times he uses his voice to entertain, and at other
times to raise awareness.
“Partnering with someone with a
huge voice such as MTV, people that knew what they was doing, who know their way
around countries, like the UN; it was a smart partnership for myself,” Jay-Z
told the UN News Service of his collaboration with the UN and MTV for the
special documentary series about his learning process. “They have a track
record of getting the message out to young people, so they can become
involved.”
“How could I be out there and
not do anything?” said the CEO of the influential record company, adding that
“most young people are unaware” but if they knew about the “staggering
numbers” of people affected by water issues, they would be moved to act.
Voicing his conviction that the
problem can be solved, Jay-Z said his involvement with MTV and the UN could
contribute to positive change. “After hearing and reading some of the
startling statistics about the lack of clean water, I realized that I needed to
bring attention to this issue. I know through joining with experts through the
UN and partnering with MTV to bring the word to our communities, we can make a
difference.”
“MTV has a long history of
partnering with artists and experts to raise awareness and educate our
audience,” said Christina Norman, President of MTV, of the obvious partnership
with the UN, MTV and Jay-Z. “By allowing MTV to document his journey, Jay-Z
will be mobilizing a whole new generation of young people who may not be
familiar with the water crisis to learn about and take action to help those
suffering.”
“We have had an incredible
experience with the UN,” she said when interviewed by the UN News Service.
“The UN has the expertise, they're the authority, and there is no one
better.”
The special documentary series
will follow Jay's learning process as he meets people who are among the 1
billion worldwide without access to safe drinking water. It will also follow the
artist as he visits places where sustainable, environmentally friendly solutions
are working to bring fresh water to devastated communities.
MTV has previously partnered with
the UN on initiatives such as the Millennium Project, with economist Jeffery
Sachs and screen actress Angelina Jolie, which documented a village in Kenya,
and more recently sent Gideon Yago to Pakistan to document the earthquake in
that country.
All over the world, pollution,
over-consumption and poor water management are decreasing the quality and
quantity of water. Nearly 2 million children die every year because of unclean
water and poor sanitation - far more than the casualties from violent conflicts,
the UN says.
Competition among nations for
fresh water is already a factor in many conflicts, and has the potential to
become much, much worse in the future. The peacebuilding potential of shared
water resources was one of the 10 Stories the World Should Hear More About
compiled earlier this year by the UN Department of Public Information.
Jay-Z's documentary, through his
enormous influence, coupled with the scope of the UN agencies involved and MTV,
aims to inspire and motivate young people everywhere to care, conserve, and join
in the search for solutions to our water crisis, and to take action both in
their own lives, and in support of broad eco-friendly initiatives.
|
