UN chief to head to Los Angeles to discuss global issues with entertainment industry

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will be in Los Angeles next week as part of the United Nations initiative that aims to raise the profile of critical global issues in partnership with the international film and television industries.

During the 21-22 February visit, Mr. Ban will attend a forum to discuss climate change and environment, and the empowerment of women and protection of children, with the creative community in Los Angeles.

He will also take part in a Facebook Town Hall via online video-link to promote the use of social media as a platform to raise awareness and funding for critical global issues.

The UN has collaborated with the entertainment industry on a number of projects under the Secretary-General’s Creative Community Outreach Initiative (CCOI).

As part of the Initiative, the UN Department of Public Information (DPI) provides film, new media, television, and documentary producers around the world with access to information about the work of the UN and its priority issues, as well as offer logistical advice and assistance.

Among the collaborations so far, the hit US television series “Law and Order: Special Victims Unit” filmed scenes at the historic UN Headquarters building in New York for one of its episodes in 2009 that involved children and armed conflict as well as refugees.

That same year, the UN-backed campaign to raise awareness about malaria – which claims over one million lives annually – had a starring role on the season premiere of the television comedy “Ugly Betty.”