NOTE TO CORRESPONDENTS DISNEY EVENT, "WHEN YOU WISH UPON A STAR", TO HONOUR

Press Release

NOTE TO CORRESPONDENTS DISNEY EVENT, ‘WHEN YOU WISH UPON A STAR’, TO HONOUR

UNITED NATIONS DAY AT HEADQUARTERS, 23 OCTOBER

A children’s event, “When You Wish Upon a Star”, will be held at United Nations Headquarters on Saturday, 23 October, beginning at 10 a.m., as part of the activities of the Department of Public Information (DPI) in commemoration of United Nations Day. The event is being co-sponsored by the DPI and Buena Vista Home Video, a division of the Walt Disney Company.

The celebration on the Visitors’ Plaza will feature appearances by a number of characters from Disney animated films: Ariel from “The Little Mermaid”; Mulan; Timon from “The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride”; Peter Pan and Captain Hook; Hercules; Cruella De Vil from “101 Dalmatians”; Balloo from “The Jungle Book”; and Jiminy Cricket and Pinocchio. Young actor Haley Joel Osment, who was the voice of Chip in Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” and is currently starring in the film “The Sixth Sense”, will also make an appearance.

On behalf of their friend Pinocchio, who is celebrating the sixtieth anniversary of his film, the Disney characters and Mr. Osment will present as a gift to the United Nations the Unity Star, a time capsule meant to house the wishes and dreams of children around the world for the new millennium. Between now and the end of the year, young visitors to the United Nations will be asked to write down their wishes and place them in the capsule for future generations. The Unity Star will then be locked away, to be re-opened by the children of the future on 23 October 2099. Nane Annan will accept the Star on behalf of the United Nations, and she and Mr. Osment will be the first to place their wishes in the time capsule.

“When You Wish Upon a Star” coincides with the DVD re-release of the children’s classic film “Pinocchio”. Following the event on the Visitors’ Plaza, Disney will be holding free screenings of the film at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. in Conference Room 4 for children of delegates, staff, non-governmental organizations, media and visitors to the United Nations.

For further information, please call 963-6923; for media accreditation, 963-6934.

* *** *