UN public service announcement to promote peace earns Emmy nomination

A public service announcement for television produced by the United Nations to mark the International Day of Peace last year has been nominated for a prestigious Emmy award in the United States.

Entitled “One Day,” the announcement features former boxer Muhammad Ali as a UN Messenger of Peace and a diverse mix of children and promotes the theme of non-violence on 21 September, when International Day of Peace is observed.

The announcement – which was co-produced by the History Channel – was filmed in the General Assembly Hall and the Rose Garden at UN Headquarters in New York, as well as at Mr. Ali’s ranch. It was filmed by the advertising agency DCODE.

A separate announcement featuring another UN Messenger of Peace, opera singer Luciano Pavarotti, was also produced last year. The announcements were distributed to affiliates of the History Channel in more than 70 countries, as well as to television stations across the US.

The Peace and Security Section of the UN’s Department of Public Information (DPI) and the former Office of External Relations in the Executive Office of the Secretary-General developed the concept for the announcements in conjunction with the History Channel.

The New York Emmy awards ceremony, which is organized by the New York chapter of the National Academy of Television, Arts and Sciences, will be held on 28 March.