‘IMAGINE’ For All Of The Children
By: Hope Wilkos, Writer
It draws memories accumulated over a period of time, a dream for our future, a reminder of our past.
‘IMAGINE’ a world free of war and strife, a better place for our children to roam and prosper throughout the years. Voices were heard across the universe on November 20, 2014, as UNICEF invited a handful of aspiring stars to join their seasoned counterparts. Hugh Jackman, Katy Perry, Angelique Kidjo, Priyanke Chopra, Yoko Ono & David Guetta. Bound together with a purpose in their heart, these artists came together to serve as advocates for children’s rights and raise a sense of awareness. They sang the song ‘IMAGINE’ to ultimately signify the amazing possibilities that lie within our grasp.
PHOTO CREDIT: Michael Loccisano, Getty Images
The event took place at the United Nations General Assembly when UNICEF unveiled the #IMAGINE project as part of celebrations for the 25th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Following live performances by Grammy Award winner Angélique Kidjo, Brazilian singer-songwriter Daniela Mercury and Swedish pop sensation Laleh, the concert culminated with a special performance of Imagine featuring cellist Trey Lee from Hong Kong, Nigerian musician Don Jazzy, Kristian Kostov, the winner of the Russian The Voice, and American singer Jackie Evancho.
PHOTO CREDIT: Jemal Countess, Getty Images
UNICEF Executive Director Anthony Lake was joined on stage by Golden Globe and Emmy Award-winning actor Hugh Jackman his wife and artist Yoko Ono to launch the #IMAGINE project. Björn Ulvaeus from ABBA also made a special appearance.
Preparing our world for the youth of tomorrow, the #IMAGINE project drew the spirited Yoko Ono to work with renowned music producer and favorite DJ, David Guetta. Joining them were the UNICEF Ambassadors, Katy Perry, Angélique Kidjo, Daniela Mercury, Priyanka Chopra and Yuna Kim. Each of the guests making an appearance chose to have this date go down in history highlighting the challenges that our children continually face.
PHOTO CREDIT: Jemal Countess, Getty Images
What is even more exciting is a new interactive digital experience, powered by TouchCast, allows everyday people to record their own version of Imagine, John Lennon’s iconic anthem of hope and peace, alongside their favourite stars, in what UNICEF hopes will be the largest ever global sing-along.
Everyone who records the song has the chance to have their vocals and videos used in the new UNICEF version of Imagine and in the accompanying interactive music video, created by TouchCast and TheBridge.co – both of which will be released as they lead up to New Year’s Eve 2014.
PHOTO CREDIT: Jemal Countess, Getty Images
“The Convention on the Rights of the Child asked us all to imagine a better world for children – and calls on all of us to make that vision a reality,” said Lake. “The #IMAGINE project gives people across the globe a chance to join a global movement for children, lending their ideas, their visions and, not least, their voices to advance the rights of every child, everywhere.”
Be creative and shout out to the world. #IMAGINE participants can share their own recording of Lennon’s classic song with friends and family on social media and encourage others to perform Imagine too. They can also record personal messages describing what they imagine a better world for children would be like.
“A dream you dream alone may be a dream, but a dream two people dream together is a reality,” said Yoko Ono.
PHOTO CREDIT: Michael Loccisano, Getty Images
Participants will also have the opportunity to donate to UNICEF. Funds raised through the #IMAGINE project will support the organization’s programs providing education, nutrition, healthcare and immunizations, clean water and sanitation, protection and emergency relief for children in more than 150 countries and territories across the globe.
“I’m really excited to be working with UNICEF on this incredible new project. Our ‘world’ version of Imagine will be like no other – I am proud to be a part of this collaboration,” said David Guetta. “We have to get the word out that every voice counts and every child counts too.”
The #IMAGINE digital experience became available via the TouchCast app for iOS on the App Store on November 20th as well as at http://imagine.unicef.org.
PHOTO CREDIT: Jemal Countess, Getty Images
Thanks go out to image.net.
