MANILA, Philippines, June 25, 2010—Probe Media Foundation, Inc. recently signed up Kodak Philippines Ltd. as co-presenter of their Search for Philippines’ Millennium Development Goals (MDG) Warriors. A partner of the UN Millennium Campaign, Probe Media Foundation, Inc. recently launched the search as its contribution to the 2010 Special Edition Stand Up and Take Action Campaign to achieve the MDGs in the Philippines.
The Search for Philippines’ MDG Warriors is a two-part competition. The first part aims to recognize outstanding individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions in their own community towards achieving the MDGs. The guidelines and nomination form for the Search can be downloaded at www.probeTV.com. Nominations will be accepted until July 15, 2010. The second part is intended to showcase the MDG Warriors’ stories through world-class documentaries made by college students.
The MDGs are eight specific and concrete goals anchored on eradicating extreme poverty by 2015. By signing the Millennium Declaration of 2000, 189 world leaders committed to achieving the following Goals anchored on eradicating extreme poverty: 1) end extreme poverty and hunger; 2) achieve universal education; 3) promote gender equality and empower women; 4) reduce child mortality; 5) improve maternal health; 6) combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases; 7) ensure environmental sustainability and 8) develop a global partnership for development. The Stand Up Campaign, a yearly global mobilization aimed at reminding government leaders of their MDG commitment, is special this year because it is happening right before the MDG Summit to be held in New York in September. At the Summit, world leaders will be asked to present their MDG Breakthrough Plans for the accelerated achievement of the MDGs by 2015.
“We strongly believe in Probe’s MDG advocacy. We want to take part in discovering a new breed of heroes who will inspire others to work for the achievement of the MDGs,” said Jerome Nicdao, Kodak Philippines Ltd. Country Business Manager for Retails System Solutions. Kodak Philippines Ltd. is the exclusive distributor of Kodak products in the country.
Kodak Philippines Ltd. is giving away Kodak Play Sport HD video cameras to the winners of the documentary contest and cash prizes to the MDG Warriors. Kodak is also sponsoring the photo contest titled “MDG Warrior in Action,” which will feature the MDG Warriors finalists at work on their chosen advocacy. An exhibit of the winning photos will be set up during the awards night, which will coincide with the MDG Week in September.
“We are very grateful to the support that Kodak Philippines, Ltd. has extended in this project,” said veteran journalist Cheche Lazaro, President of Probe. “As we transition to the second part of the competition, we are positive that Kodak’s contributions will encourage and motivate aspiring documentarists to showcase the MDG warriors.”
“The United Nations Millennium Campaign welcomes private partners who are committed and willing to contribute resources to the cause. The MDGs are grand goals, but putting pressure on government leaders to accelerate the achievement of the MDGs becomes easier if we get everyone involved,” said Minar Pimple, UN Millennium Campaign Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific.
For more information on the Search and sponsorship opportunities, please contact: mdgwarriors@probetv.com.
