Yokohama Youngsters Carry Wishes, Yen for Better World to United Nations

 

NEW YORK, 1 November (United Nations Office of Human Resources Management) -- Combining good intentions with cold, hard cash for the United Nations efforts to help protect children around the world, four Japanese students arrived in New York on 31 October to deliver YokohamaCity residents’ pooled donations to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).  Winners of a peace-themed speech competition held in Yokohama, the students, ages 11-15, are the official representatives of the city under the United Nations Peace Messenger Program.

Since being designated as an official United Nations “PeaceMessengerCity” in 1987, YokohamaCity has sent young student representatives each year to visit the United Nations, with the high level of annual donations reflecting citizens’ determined wishes to promote peace and security around the world.  This year, in what has become an annual event, students will meet with the United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan and present him with the year’s proceeds.  YokohamaCity residents’ donations this year total 10,787,935 yen (about $100,000).

The group of elementary and junior high school students will stay in New York for one week, meeting with the United Nations representatives and Japan’s ambassador and staff, visiting UNICEF, touring the United Nations, and sitting in on classes at the United Nations International School before heading back to Yokohama, where they are expected to share their experiences with fellow students and carry on Yokohama’s efforts for world peace.

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