Educating LatAM On Global Issues.

The Discovery Channel and the United Nations announced the launch of a special television campaign throughout Latin America and the Iberian Peninsula created to increase awareness about a number of important global issues with the help of five international celebrities.

Beginning October 7th, public service announcements (PSA) will educate millions of Discovery Channel viewers in Latin America and the Iberian Peninsula on a broad range of global concerns from biological diversity to HIV infection. Made possible through the United Nations’ UN Works Programme, the initiative uses the Discovery Channel’s popular “What Have You Discovered on Discovery?” campaign as a vehicle for the PSA’s vital messages. Featuring UN Goodwill Ambassadors who champion some of the most pivotal issues facing our world today, the UN and the Discovery Channel are jointly reaching out to viewers to impact the way we think about the world.

“Through this unique collaboration, the Discovery Channel is providing a new platform for the UN’s Goodwill Ambassadors to reach people regarding critical issues,” said Kelley Nichols, Network Group Director for Discovery Channel, Discovery Networks Latin America/Iberia. “By combining the Discovery Channel’s reach and relevance to people throughout Latin America and the Iberian Peninsula, and the UN’s important work around the globe, we hope to raise awareness about the issues that affect peoples lives.”

Set against the skyline of the United Nations headquarters in New York, each 60-second PSA features a different UN Goodwill Ambassador inviting viewers to learn more on the Discovery Channel about a particular issue.

Harry Belafonte, a long-time advocate of human rights who has publicly fought injustice throughout his life, speaks about the devastating effects and the staggering rates of HIV/AIDS infection.

Sir Peter Ustinov, an accomplished actor, producer, director, novelist and playwright and UN Goodwill Ambassador for over 30 years, talks about the importance of immunization in combating preventable childhood
diseases.

Danny Glover, a Hollywood leading man and recognized human rights activist, educates viewers about biodiversity and the perils facing our natural environment.

Roger Moore, best known for his portrayal as secret agent James Bond and a tireless advocate for children, highlights the hurdles that many young girls around the world face in trying to attain education.

Catarina Furtado, a Portuguese actress who has worked extensively to promote reproductive rights and raise awareness about women’s problems in developing countries, discusses healthcare for women.

The UN Works Programme partners with media companies such as Discovery Communications Inc. to raise awareness about important global issues such as HIV/AIDS, biodiversity, girls’ education, immunization, women’s health and more. In addition to public service announcements featuring UN Goodwill Ambassadors, media partnerships include original programming, web based features, educational outreach and other promotional activities. Links to profiles of real people, projects and partnerships on the UN Works website (www.un.org/works), provide access to more information and show how the United Nations is working to improve the lives of people everywhere.

Launched in Latin America and the Iberian Peninsula last spring, the “What Have You Discovered on Discovery?” campaign is designed to connect with viewers on a personal level through a series of engaging testimonial spots featuring real-life viewers who are invited to share what they have discovered on the Discovery Channel.