Every person – no matter how big, small or blue – can make the
world more peaceful, equitable and healthy, the United Nations
today told young people at a special ceremony for the Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs) that included the Smurfs
and a handover of the key to Smurfdom.
Voice actors from the upcoming animated movie Smurfs: The Lost
Village joined 1,500 students from the international Model UN
conference to celebrate the upcoming International Day of
Happiness, which focuses on personal well-being, and
the SDGs, which include
decent work for all, education and health services.
In a special blue carpet presentation, the United States stars of
the movie – Demi Lovato, who voices “Smurfette”, Joe Manganiello
who is “Hefty” and Mandy Patinkin or “Papa Smurf” – honoured
three young students promoting the SDGs in their communities with
a symbolic key to the Smurfs Village in recognition of their
work.
“On behalf of all Smurfdom, thank you for your work in awakening
everything, in your community, through you social media, all over
the world, in the ways that you have chosen to encourage people
everywhere to make this world a better place for those who are so
vulnerable in every way imaginable,” Mr. Patinkin told Karen
Jerath, Sarina Divan and Noor Samee.
Ms. Jerath, who is 20 years old, invented a containment device
that could prevent offshore oil spills and ensure the protection
of marine life. She was joined by Ms. Divan, 17, who expanded a
UN Foundation girl empowerment initiative at her high school and
beyond, and Mr. Samee, also 17, a UNICEF blogger and advocate on
social justice issues.
Given a giant key with the SDG multi-coloured logo by UN
Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public
Information, Cristina Gallach, the students were told “the world
needs you to continue.”
“Never be afraid to speak up and to make this world a wonderful,
beautiful, hopeful, optimistic place full of freedom, joy,
justice and dignity, good food, good water, good opportunities
for people everywhere, forever,” said Mr. Patinkin.
The “Small Smurfs Big Goals” campaign was created to encourage
people to visit SmallSmurfsBigGoals.com to find out how to
contribute to achieving the SDGs, and to share information, ideas
and images on social media.
As part of today's festivities, the UN Postal Administration
unveiled a special edition stamp sheet featuring the Small Smurfs
Big Goals campaign.
The stamps, which feature images of the Smurfs and the SDG logos,
were presented by UN Assistant Secretary-General for Management,
Stephen Cutts, and the Belgian Ambassador to the United Nations,
Marc Pecsteen de Buytswerve.
The event, held at the UN General Assembly in New York, was
organized by the UN, UNICEF and UN Foundation, ahead of the
International Day of Happiness marked annually on 20 March.
In 2015, the UN launched 17 SDGs that seek to end poverty, reduce
inequality, and protect our planet – three key aspects that lead
to well-being and happiness.
Along with New York, celebrations were held around the world to
mark the campaign and the SDGs.
On Monday, the film cast along with the UN, UNICEF and UN
Foundation will be at the Empire State Building to turn the
iconic tower blue in honour of the International Day of Happiness
and the Small Smurfs Big Goals campaign.
