Editor's Note: In 2006 Vanessa Redgrave and her son, Carlo Nero, produced the documentary, Wake Up World, in celebration of UNICEF's 60th Anniversary. Now that we are celebrating our 75th Anniversary, it is a good moment to watch this important film again.
You will recognize many familiar faces: (in order of appearance) Richard Reid, Stephen Lewis, Richard Jolly, Ann Veneman, Kul Gautam, Jim Grant, Carol Bellamy, Kofi Annan, Kia Molly Okello, and several of UNICEF's Special Envoys.
Many thanks to Kul Gautam, Paloma Escudero, and Tanya Turkovich for recovering this important documentary from UNICEF's archives.
On 7 December 2006 UNICEF's webpage carried the following article:
"Vanessa Redgrave is widely considered one of the finest actors of her generation. She is equally well known as a passionate activist in the cause of children and an advocate of peace, tolerance and reconciliation. In June 1995, she was appointed a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.
To mark the 60th anniversary of UNICEF, Ms. Redgrave and her son, London-based documentary filmmaker Carlo Nero, have produced a film celebrating six decades of progress for children. The film, ‘Wake Up World’, traces the illustrious history of UNICEF – from a very personal point of view.
Having lived through World War II herself, she can very well empathize with those children in a destroyed Europe who received humanitarian assistance from the Allied powers, calling themselves the ‘United Nations’.
“I was a child during the Second World War, and while I didn’t share the full horror of what happened to children all over Europe, as well as in Asia, I was nevertheless what is called today a ‘displaced person’. And I took refuge in basements, cellars and underground shelters from the bombing,” Ms. Redgrave recalled.
“To be non-political, in other words to put the needs of children and civilians – their mothers, their parents, their families – before any politics whatsoever, I’ve become totally convinced that that’s what’s needed,” said Ms. Redgrave.
"Vanessa Redgrave is widely considered one of the finest actors of her generation. She is equally well known as a passionate activist in the cause of children and an advocate of peace, tolerance and reconciliation. In June 1995, she was appointed a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.
To mark the 60th anniversary of UNICEF, Ms. Redgrave and her son, London-based documentary filmmaker Carlo Nero, have produced a film celebrating six decades of progress for children. The film, ‘Wake Up World’, traces the illustrious history of UNICEF – from a very personal point of view.
Having lived through World War II herself, she can very well empathize with those children in a destroyed Europe who received humanitarian assistance from the Allied powers, calling themselves the ‘United Nations’.
“I was a child during the Second World War, and while I didn’t share the full horror of what happened to children all over Europe, as well as in Asia, I was nevertheless what is called today a ‘displaced person’. And I took refuge in basements, cellars and underground shelters from the bombing,” Ms. Redgrave recalled.
“To be non-political, in other words to put the needs of children and civilians – their mothers, their parents, their families – before any politics whatsoever, I’ve become totally convinced that that’s what’s needed,” said Ms. Redgrave.
During production of the film, Ms. Redgrave interviewed UNICEF Executive Director Ann M. Veneman, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassadors Ralph Fiennes, Liam Neeson and Angélique Kidjo, along with other experts on humanitarian issues, about their individual passion for UNICEF.
“You see the work UNICEF is doing, the commitment of the staff who are with the children – teaching, educating, enabling, getting the spirit of inquiry going in the minds of young people,” said Mr. Fiennes, an Ambassador for the UK Committee for UNICEF.
Ms. Redgrave first became involved with UNICEF’s work during the 1991 Gulf War. She organized an event at London’s Royal Albert Hall to raise funds for the children of Iraq and afterwards went on a 72-hour, non-stop tour of the country. This resulted in a compelling film that raised additional funds for children.
The actress has continued her advocacy work in Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States, Kosovo, Albania and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
“I would like the present generation of young people to know how important the United Nations is, how it works or how it’s prevented from working … but how UNICEF always works,” she said. “And that’s what makes UNICEF unique, because it can go in where no other agency can and it can negotiate for all children. And UNICEF is the most priceless, valuable heritage historically we have.”
“You see the work UNICEF is doing, the commitment of the staff who are with the children – teaching, educating, enabling, getting the spirit of inquiry going in the minds of young people,” said Mr. Fiennes, an Ambassador for the UK Committee for UNICEF.
Ms. Redgrave first became involved with UNICEF’s work during the 1991 Gulf War. She organized an event at London’s Royal Albert Hall to raise funds for the children of Iraq and afterwards went on a 72-hour, non-stop tour of the country. This resulted in a compelling film that raised additional funds for children.
The actress has continued her advocacy work in Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States, Kosovo, Albania and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
“I would like the present generation of young people to know how important the United Nations is, how it works or how it’s prevented from working … but how UNICEF always works,” she said. “And that’s what makes UNICEF unique, because it can go in where no other agency can and it can negotiate for all children. And UNICEF is the most priceless, valuable heritage historically we have.”
Beautiful documentary. It should be seen by all staff and supporters to strengthen our commitment to the children.
ReplyDeleteI am glad it was found. It’s a treasure.
Yes, Horst, I was deeply involved in facilitating the production of this documentary and found Vanessa's commitment and passion infectious!
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