Where the whole world takes the stage.

AT THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY HALL
March 17 2009
Where the whole world takes the stage....
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March 17th Awards Ceremony Patronage
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H.E. Miguel d’Escoto Brockmann
President of the 63rd UN General Assembly
His Excellency is President of the 63rd session of the United Nations General Assembly since 16 September 2008. A veteran statesman, politician, community leader and priest, Father d’Escoto served for
over a decade as the Republic of Nicaragua’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, a post he held from July 1979
until April 1990
H.E. Abdal Mahmood Abdalhaleem
Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser
Chairman of the G-77
Permanent Representative of Qatar
His Excellency is a respected advocate for his
leadership efforts to work towards achievement
of the MDGs. As current Chairman of the G-77
and China he has collaborated with members
to help ensure that current programs be monitored and enhanced and that an open mind be
maintained in looking at new opportunities that
can be employed to achieve the MDGs.
His Excellency has been an effective leader and
active member of numerous important committees and organizations ranging from the Small
Island Developing States to the G-77. In these
positions he has been a vocal advocate for support of the MDGs and has helped institute programs for their success.
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The
MDG AWARDS COMMITTEE
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Ambassador Zina Andrianarievelo-Razafy & Ambassador Francis Lorenzo
Pe
in association with
HUMANITAD
Are proud to present
THE INAUGURAL LAUNCHING CEREMONY TO THE
Millennium Development Goals Awards
The MDG Awards will highlight the importance of the Millennium Development Goals
year on year until 2015 as an international global-focus webcast and broadcast spectacle
The MDG Awards Program is linking-in to select events in film, fashion ,music and sport across the
globe and will work tirelessly to popularize the goals and bring them
increasingly into the mainstream focus
We will seek to spotlight the extraordinary efforts of individuals, organizations and those nations
which are demonstrably committed to meeting the MDGs and in so doing
impacting the lives of millions of people in our world - for the better
We are grateful to the President of the General Assembly, our guest hosts and stars
for graciously joining us in this important launch event
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Introduction
Dr. JEFFREY SACHS
“This is the time for action, and the MDG Awards help the world to understand that there
are heroes in all parts of the world pushing forward the Millennium Development Goals. We are reminded by our honorees that there are specific, practical, proven interventions that can make a world
of difference, that literally are the difference of life and death.
I want to congratulate the honorees and I want to congratulate the MDG Award Committee
for the wonderful idea to help the world appreciate that we have time, we have the means, and we
have the hope to see the Millennium Development Goals to their successful completion.Through that
success, we will help to build a safer world for all and a world of decency for our children.”
Recognized as one of the world’s leading economists Dr. Sachs is a Special Advisor to the Secretary General on the Millennium
Development Goals. He is Director of The Earth Institute, Quetelet Professor of Sustainable Development, and Professor of Health
Policy and Management at Columbia University. He is also Director of the UN Millennium Project. Sachs is internationally renowned
for advising governments in Latin America, Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union, Asia and Africa on economic reforms and for
his work with international agencies to promote poverty reduction, disease control, and debt reduction of poor countries. He was
recently named among the 100 most influential leaders in the world by Time Magazine. Prior to joining Columbia, Sachs spent
over twenty years at Harvard University, most recently as Director of the Center for International Development. A native of Detroit,
Michigan, Sachs received his B.A., M.A., and Ph.D. degrees at Harvard University.
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Scarlett Johansson
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Goodwill Ambassadors
Akon
The MDG Awards are proud to present our founding Goodwill Ambassadors
“ I am honored to be working hand
in hand with the MDG Awards to support,
insist upon and celebrate the Millennium
Goals established to help end poverty, inequality, disease, environmental collapse and
needless suffering around the world. The
goals, established by every nation recognized by the UN, promise to answer these
cries for help by 2015.
As a Goodwill Ambassador for the
Millennium Development Goal Awards, I intend to use my status as a public figure to
bring attention to our intention and cause –
necessary to make the world sustainable for
all human kind.”
SCARLETT JOHANSSON - actress
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“To be a Founding Ambassador for
the Millennium Goals Awards is a great
honor. It is inspiring to be among people
from around the world working together
despite all odds. Everywhere I travel, I am
moved by those waging war against poverty,
hunger, and disease. The MDG Awards are tremendously important as they shed light on those
whose humanity leads a path against the inhumanity we see each day, and whose valiant efforts will one day change the world.”
AKON
international artist/ producer and founder of
the Konfidence Foundation
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In Honor
A LIFETIME OF HUMANITARIAN ACHIEVEMENT
Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Mpilo Tutu
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In Honor
Desmond Tutu exemplifies the very best of accomplished souls
in our great human family
His life is testimony to a quality of heart and orientation of
purpose both rare and profound in equal measure
We honour both the man and his life
We extend our gratitude to him for that combination of
selflessness and joy fullness which he embodies
His words and his actions
are both reminder and rejoinder of our deeper calling
Love for our fellowmen
Continued faith
in ourselves
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In Honor
A LIFETIME OF HUMANITARIAN ACHIEVEMENT
Dr. Kevin Cahill
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In Honor
Kevin Cahill epitomizes the spirit of a true humanitarian
modest in disposition - yet resounding in impact
How many can claim to have worked
in the slums of Calcutta with Mother Teresa,
How many can reflect on years of ground breaking relief efforts
in war zones like Somalia, Sudan, and Nicaragua.
Today he continues to offer his expertise to the
United Nations and the NYPD where he
is the Chief Medical Advisor for
Counterterrorism.
We celebrate his life and his work
with profound gratitude
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Host Presenter
Academy Award, Golden Globe, Emmy and Tony Award winning English actress - Vanessa Redgrave is
the most famed member of the Redgrave family, the world renowned theatrical dynasty.
She was made a Commander of the British Empire in 1967 but has since declined becoming a Dame
Commander in 1999. She is also a social activist for human rights and has been a UNICEF Goodwill
Ambassador since 1995.
Vanessa Redgrave is widely considered to be one of the most talented and respected actresses of all
time. She is also widely respected for having had the courage to speak out time and time again - against
the injustice of war, wrong-action and contravention of the rule of law.
The MDG Awards Committee are deeply honored to have her at our inaugural event to present an
award to her long-standing friend Dr. Kevin Cahill.
VANESSA REDGRAVE, CBE
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Vanessa Redgrave
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Host Presenter
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One of the most prolific and consistent Award winning actors in the International Film World today,
winning amongst others both an Emmy and Golden Globe, he remains an enigmatic figure in the world
of cinema.
Armand Assante has brought international focus to the urgent issue of both removing and stopping the
proliferation of Land Mines globally. His own donations to Croatia following the Serbian/Croatian War,
created a groundswell for others from the US to follow. In 2004, interviewed in the Humanitad World
Leadership journal he....
In typical Assante style, he was once quoted as saying: about his profession: “It’s a blessing and a curse.
But it’s not always the best situation to be in. As a profession, I don’t recommend acting at all.”
ARMAND ASSANTE
Armand Assante
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Host Presenter
Renowned music producer Sol Guy inspires and empowers young people to improve the world around
them.
Sol Guy is no stranger to the urban music scene; as a manager, producer, consultant, and director of an
independent music label, he has worked with notable artists such as Lauryn Hill, P Diddy, India Arie,,The
Roots, Outkast, Dead Prez, B.I.G. and The Wu-Tang Clan.
After visiting Sierra Leone in 2001 with Warchild Canada and witnessing firsthand the tragedy of war,
Guy saw the potential for artists to raise awareness on global social issues. Thus began his mission to
bridge the gap between social activism and entertainment.
His mission is to use music, film, television and hip hop culture as a vehicle for change, promoting empowerment for youth around the world. The 4REAL television series, which debuted in 2008, is yet
another example of Guy’s passion for connecting youth from across the globe. 4REAL takes celebrity
guests on international adventures to connect with young people who, under extreme circumstances,
are affecting REAL change. The show inspires audiences to see their own potential and ability to create
positive change in their own communities. With projects in music, film and television, Guy’s message is
reaching young people around the world. Audiences will be inspired to work for the betterment of their
communities and empowered that they can make a change that matters.
SOL GUY
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Host Presenters
Jonathan Granoff is an American lawyer. He is President of the Global Security Institute, and a Senior
Advisor of the American Bar Association’s Committee on Arms Control and National Security. He is
Vice President of the NGO Committee on Disarmament at the United Nations, and serves on numerous governing and advisory boards including the
Lawyers Committee on Nuclear Policy, the Lawyers
Alliance for World Security, the Jane Goodall Institute, the Bipartisan Security Group, and the Middle
Powers Initiative.
Mr. Granoff has lectured worldwide emphasizing the
legal, ethical and spiritual dimensions of human development and security, with a specific focus on the
threats posed by nuclear weapons. He is an awardwinning screenwriter, and has been featured in more
than 30 publications. He chaired the special session
on Terrorism and Threats to Humanity at the Summit
of Nobel Peace Laureates in Rome in 2004, where
he represented the International Peace Bureau, a
Nobel Peace Laureate organization.
He is Chair of the Humanitad Global Impact Forum
- twinning with the MDG Awards.
JONATHAN GRANOFF
Secretary General of the World Federation of
United Nations Associations is a former Australian
diplomat who held posts in Ghana, the UK and the
UN.
She was the Director of the first Human Rights
Section in the Department of Foreign Affairs and
Trade and also established the first Human Rights
Unit of the Commonwealth Secretariat in London.
Now based in New York, she oversees an international network of over 100 United Nations Associations.
PERA WELLS
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MICK HUCKNALL beloved the world over
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Guest Performance
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As lead singer and core member of world renowned Simply Red, Mick has become the identifiable face
of the band. Cited as one of the worlds greatest soul singers - his unique voice and style are a trademark
recognized across the globe. Hits such as ‘Holding Back the Years’ have earned him a place in modern
music history.
Hucknall is a founder of the successful reggae label Blood and Fire and as an outspoken campaigner for
musicians rights and artistic freedom he has managed the record label simplyred.com.
In October 2007, on David Jensen’s show on the Gold network, he announced Simply Red would split
in 2009 saying: “I’ve kind of decided that the 25 years is going to be enough, so I intend that the 2009
will be the last Simply Red tour.”
Hucknall released his first solo album, Tribute to Bobby to broad critical acclaim in 2008. The MDG
Awards Committee are honoured to have him perform at our inaugural ceremony.
MICK HUCKNELL
Mick Hucknall
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Guest Performance
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Grammy Award Winning Macy Gray - also credited as Natalie Hinds in her music - is an American R&B
and soul singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress, famed for her distinctive raspy voice and a singing style heavily influenced by Billie Holiday and Betty Davis
To date, Gray has released four studio albums, one compilation album, and one live album - with her
fourth studio album ‘Big,’ released in March 2007. She has received five Grammy Award nominations,
winning one.
Macy has appeared in a number of films including Training Day, Spider-Man, and Idlewild. She is best
known for her international hit single “I Try”, taken from her multi-platinum debut album On How Life
Is. In late 2008, Gray took on a new alias “Nemesis Jaxson”, and releases her fifth studio album in 2009.
She opened up a music academy called The Macy Gray Music Academy in 2005. She has been highly
praised for her work with the academy which gives underprivileged children and teenagers the chance
to perform. The MDG Awards Committee are delighted to have her unique presence at our inaugural
ceremony.
MACY GRAY
Macy Gray
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Guest Performance
The MDG Awards Committee are delighted to have rising star Alex Kogan perform at our launch
ceremony at the UN General Assembly Hall.
Alex is currently touring North America in preparation for the worldwide release of his self-titled
debut album in Summer 2009 through The Moon on Fire Organization.
Today, Alex creates his music from a New York City loft... a far cry from his childhood home of San
Francisco, and an eternity from his birthplace - a country that no longer exists, the Soviet Union..
“The Millennium Development Goals represent the needs and the
concerns of our whole world. Meeting them by the year 2015 is the
most important task we have as a planet and as a civilization. As an
artist I am proud to be involved in helping to take this message out
to the world - and urge everyone, especially the younger generations
to engage with the UN Millennium Development Goals. Peace.”
ALEX KOGAN
Alex Kogan
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Guest Performance
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Somali rapper K’Naan fired his first gun at the age of eight. At 11, he found a hand grenade, detonated
it by mistake and blew up half his school. Later, he saw three of his closest friends shot dead. The city
was the Somali capital, Mogadishu, and the year was 1990, at which point the country was plunged into
civil war. At 13, K’naan escaped to the US, armed only with the little English he’d gleaned from a copy
of Eric B & Rakim’s Paid in Full.
“If I rhymed about home and got descriptive it would make 50 Cent look like Limp Bizkit,’ he raps on
the track ‘What’s Hardcore?’. K’Naan is unique. He is a hip-hop artist who turns an often predictable and
bombastic style upside down; he writes tough but thoughtful and even sensitive lyrics, and leaves you
feeling better about the long-term prospects for anything from Somalia to rap music.
K’naan has worked with artists such as Nelly Furtado,Youssou N’Dour and Feist. In 2005, he performed
with Doba Caracol during the Live 8 concert in Barrie, Ontario and participated in the Breedlove Odyssey Tour with Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Pharoahe Monch and Jean Grae.
His latest album, produced by friend and mentor Sol Guy has entered the charts and sees the ‘dusty
philosopher’ kicking off on a new tour.
K’NAAN
K’naan
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Guest Band &
Special Performances
DAVID PAICH
ROBIN DIMAGGIO
7 times - Grammy Award Winner
MDG Awards Music Director
David Paich is best known as 7-times Granny Award
winning keyboard player, vocalist and main composer
of the iconic band Toto. As arranger he worked for
Michael Jackson, Rod Stewart, Patti Austin, Donna
Summer and many more. As a prolific songwriter
he is credited with many classics including: “Rosanna”,
“99”, “Hold the Line”, “Georgy Porgy”, and most of
Toto’s hits over the years,. He co-wrote the hit, “Africa”, along with Toto’s drummer Jeff Porcaro and sang
lead vocals on the song.
Known as one of the world’s premiere drummers and percussionists, Robin has toured and
recorded with veterans such as Paul Simon, David
Bowie, Diana Ross, Slash, Johnny Cash, Steve Vai,
Chris Isaak and Ravi Shankar. He has appeared
on David Letterman and has performed at the
Grammys, American Music Awards, World Music
Awards in Monte Carlo and the MTV Awards.
KEATON SIMMONS
Special Guest
When considering the roll call of rock’s most influential icons, those rare artists that pose a triple threat
are the ones that consistently stand out, musicians
that seize the spotlight through their singing, songwriting and instrumental prowess. The MDG Awards
Committee welcome Keaton at our inaugural show.
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JUNIOR FOUNTAIN AND GOD’S CREATION
Junior Fountain & God’s Generation have toured
much of the Northeast with multi-Grammy Award
winner and entertainer Lyle Lovett, performed at the
2005 Presidential Inauguration and to sell-out crowds
at Carnegie Hall, Foxwood Casino’s Fox Theater,
Cape Cod Melody Tent and many others.
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Director & Producer
CHRISTOPHER WANGRO
President: Zaragunda, Inc.
Chris Wangro is one of the leading producers of live events in America.
A circus ringmaster who has penned productions for Presidents, a fire-eater who puts out
fires, a big picture thinker with a director’s eye for diminutive detail. Chris Wangro is one of
the leading producers of live events in America.
His past work includes Presidential Summits, Papal Visits, Arts Festivals and Cultural Expositions for organizations around the world. In recent years, Mr Wangro has passionately devoted his efforts to Civil Society.
He has created and produced innovative projects for dozens of leading social justice organizations creating events that have promoted global awareness and helped raise millions of
dollars for causes that include education, health, housing and humanitarian aid.
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Executive Management
MICHAEL JACOBSON
Executive Director
Michael has a long history of bridging the language barrier between not for profit organizations and the corporate community. He is currently a member of the Board of Advisors to the
Toronto Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and
the Montessori Model UN program. In addition,
Mr. Jacobson has worked extensively as advisor
and director to an extensive cross section of not
for profits including the American Heart Association, United Cerebral Palsy and the Make a
Wish Foundation. In the corporate world, he has
worked with the charitable giving programs of
clients such as American Airlines, Southwest Airlines and Mercedes Benz, N.A.
He is also a Director of the Shaolin Centre in
Toronto, being developed in association with the
Kingbridge Centre, a state of the art corporate
meeting and training center developed by Global Scientific founder John Abeles. Michael is also
on the Avisory board of World of Hope.
HEIDI WALTERS
Managing Director
With 15 years experience in managing and coordinating projects and programs in both the
for-profit and not-for profit worlds., Heidi has
clearly seen the need for the two worlds to
unite in the name of corporate social responsibility and effective project implementation.
Heidi continues her active role in the not for
profit community as a Member of the Board
of Advisors for various arts organizations in
Canada, Project Coordinator to the Montessori
Model United Nations Program, Member of the
Canadian Committee for I.R.E.O (International
Renewable Energy Organization), and as Liaison
for the Canadian and UK Chapters of the MDG
Awards Committee. Heidi is a Board Member of
World of Hope.
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HUMANITAD
Executive Production
Humanitad is dedicated to inspiring tolerance and
goodwill between all peoples of all nations, faiths and
races. It does not belong to a class, a politic or a belief
and does not offer a platform for sectarian views.
It is an organization committed to ushering in a new
era of conscious leadership and seeks to inspire growth
in the spiritual framework within which we function as
a ‘civilisation’.
Humanitad is about people and the intelligent inquiry
into the diverse elements which unite us all as people;
diversities which nourish our imaginations and sense
of fellowship and do not lead to division and conflict.
The human heart speaks a simple language and with
a universal logic. It is this logic and this language which
seeks fellowship - beyond the artificial divides of religion, nationality and ideology.
Humanitad works closely with select leaders from
across all disciplines, nations and faiths - amongst
those deeply committed to developing modalities and
frameworks for the manifestation of the next great
stage in the evolution of humankind.
In conjunction with driving the media and production of
the MDG Awards - Humanitad is developing groundbreaking initiatives and programs which exemplify the
Millennium Development Goals in action.
SACHA STONE
Executive Producer
Founder : Humanitad
Sacha was born in Rhodesia and grew up
throughout the Zimbabwean war for independence.
He lives and works between London and
Humanitads Asian base in Bali. Travelling
widely, meeting with political, theological
and intellectual figures across the globe he
initiated the Global Impact Forum and the
Humanitad World Leadership Quarterly.
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Production Team
International Broadcast Production ...................................................................Hal Uplinger
International Broadcast Producer of LIVE AID, Hal is a Smithsonian Award Winning Producer whose
broadcasts have had a total audience equal to the entire population of the planet. One of the true
pioneers of modern global broadcasting - the MDG Awards Committee are honoured to have him in
charge of our international broadcast affairs.
Web Stream Direction..............................................................................................Nate Parienti They recently created the “Good Works Channel,” with both Unicef and Humanitad as flagship partners. iClips ranks among the leading providers of live streaming media. iClips Network, L.L.C. is a web
based platform built with a social conscience and the mission of creating engaging entertainment and
relevant video content.
Associate Producer...............................................................................................Laurence Paverd Director of Production........................................................................................Aaron Levinthal
Stage Manager ..............................................................................................................Jay Weissman Script & Creative...............................................................................................................Hall Powell Artist Coordination.................................................................................Lisa “The Law” Wilson Media Operations........................................................................................................Kevin Sullivan Media Operations.........................................................................................................Sal Scrimenti Video Director.............................................................................................................Glenn Lazzaro Video Show Producer..............................................................................................Dean Winkler
Global Outreach Coordination...................................................................Bremley Lyngdoh
Web Administration................................................................................................Marius Milcher
Global Partnerships................................................................................................Theo Cosmora Associate Talent Coordinators.........................................Ciro Orsini & Johnny Onyems
Strategic Business Development........................................................................Bela Canhoto
Strategic Marketing.................................................Jackie Simley-Stevens & Sabrina Jones
Print Coordination..........................................................................................................John Otsuki
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The Web Portals
VOTING & NOMINATIONS
www.mdgawards.org
All voting and nominations for MDG Awards in
the eight MDG categories will be registered and
carried online via the mdgawards.org portal.
MILLENNIUM ALLIANCE PORTAL
www.map-mdg.org
The Millennium Alliance Portal is designed to enable governments, non-government
organizations (NGOs), corporations, universities,
foundations, civil society, and individuals to communicate and collaborate to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) through
responsible investments, donations, and project
sponsorships.
THE MDG-NETWORK
www.mdg-network.org
Introducing a groundbreaking universal networking portal mdg-network.org
This engine, launching in Spring 2009 - will help
to open up a ‘global democratic highway’ across
our world-wide-web. It will link people of the
world, organizations and nations via a dedicated
interactive communications and collaboration
portal.
The MDG-NETWORK. unified system and online environment will evolve as an open-source
repository of knowledge, innovations & solutions
- an oracle for our times.
The MDG-NETWORK will link to both the
MDGAWARDS.ORG and MAP-MDG.ORG
Launching in Spring 2009......
www.earthsong.org
‘ beyond war - beyond disease - beyond poverty ‘