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Press Release

New TV Award Puts Spotlight On Children

UNICEF/International Council to Launch Award at MIP TV 2001

Cannes/New York, 2 April 2001 - A special award to highlight a new initiative called "Say Yes For Children" was announced today at MIP TV 2001 in Cannes by Roger Moore, Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), Jacques Hintzy, President of the French Committee for UNICEF, and Fred Cohen, President of The International Council of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS).

The 2001 UNICEF/International Council "Say Yes For Children" TV Award, which will be presented at the 29th International Emmy Awards on November 19 at the New York Sheraton, will recognize the best international television campaign that promotes the "Say Yes For Children" initiative. This is a one-time only award.

"Say Yes For Children" is a massive international campaign to encourage people to pledge their support for 10 key actions needed to improve the lives and well-being of children and young people everywhere. The results of the campaign - pledges gathered through the internet and community outreach campaigns - will be presented to the United Nations Special Session on Children in September 2001.

"By gathering millions of pledges, "Say Yes For Children" will create a chorus of public opinion too loud to ignore - a clear demonstration that the world cares about children and expects governments to keep the promises they make to them", said Denise Searle, UNICEF's chief of internet and broadcasting. "We are thrilled that the International Council, with all its power and prestige, is again joining with UNICEF to support this bold, new initiative to ask the world to take action on behalf of children. Many high profile companies are already supporting "Say Yes", and this award is our way to acknowledge the vital work of these international broadcasters," she said.

"The International Council of NATAS is pleased to once again expand on our relationship with UNICEF to promote this very important initiative. Our Board Members, all top-level broadcast executives from around the world, have worked closely with UNICEF for the past eight years. The "Say Yes For Children" campaign is a project that we wholeheartedly support," said Fred Cohen, President of The International Council of NATAS. Cohen is also Executive Vice President, CBS Broadcast International and President, King World International.

UNICEF is a leading partner in the "Say Yes For Children" initiative, along with organizations such as Netaid, Plan International, Save the Children and World Vision. The campaign supports the Global Movement for Children, which aims to position children's rights at the top of the global political and social agenda.

UNICEF has a long-standing partnership with the International Council to bring children's voices and experiences to audiences worldwide through its member television stations. The International Council has sponsored a special award with UNICEF for the International Children's Day of Broadcasting since 1993.

The International Council of NATAS was chartered in 1969 and was created to honor excellence in television programming outside the United States by awarding the International Emmy Award. The International Council of NATAS is a unique, independent organization consisting of television, entertainment and media leaders who come together to exchange ideas, set standards and promote new philosophies for the future of quality, global programming.

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Contact UNICEF: New York: Sally Burnheim +1-212 326-7566 New York:
UNICEF MIP TV booth - 18.24