Note to Correspondents

UNITED NATIONS PUBLIC INFORMATION DEPARTMENT, GLOBAL PUBLIC RELATIONS ASSOCIATION

TO HONOUR PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN ON CONDOM USE FOR SAFE SEX, FAMILY PLANNING

A media relations campaign aimed at promoting the consistent use of condoms as part of safe sex practices and family planning has been chosen for the 2007 United Nations Grand Award for outstanding achievement in public relations.

The campaign, “Condom Bindaas Bol”, was designed to address a decline in condom use and sales across eight northern Indian states that account for 45 per cent of the condom market in India.  These states -- Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Bihar and Jharkhand -- make up 40 per cent of India’s population of more than 1 billion.

Through the slogan, “Condom Bindaas Bol” (Say Condom Freely), the campaign aimed to encourage people to talk about condoms using two messages.  The first is that “condom” is not a delicate word and its usage should be discussed freely.  The second is that condom usage is for everyone, not just individuals in high-risk groups.

The social campaign created by Weber Shandwick, New Delhi, is a joint effort of PSP-One, a United States Agency for International Development (USAID) project; ICICI Bank; and the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.

Sharing honourable mentions were the “Yellow Ribbon Project” from Singapore, and “Daddy Send Me to School”, launched by the Turkish newspaper Milliyet.

“Yellow Ribbon Project” was created in response to the 11,000 ex-offenders released from Singapore’s prisons every year.  The campaign aimed at inspiring communities to support the rehabilitation and reintegration of ex-offenders into society.  It also addressed stigma and prejudice by creating an awareness of giving ex-offenders second chances.  The programme was sponsored by the Singapore Prison Service with Burson Marsteller (SEA) Pte. Ltd.

Initiated in April 2005, “Daddy Send Me to School” addresses gender equality and women’s access to education in Turkey.  The initiative generated financial support to help build 21 university dormitories for girls and develop social awareness by educating parents, teachers and readers of Milliyet.  The programme was carried out with Dogan Gazetecilik Inc.

The United Nations Grand Award will be presented as part of the 2007 IPRA Golden World Awards at a ceremony on Tuesday, 6 November, in London.

The annual award is jointly sponsored by the United Nations Department of Public Information and the International Public Relations Association (IPRA), a professional organization for senior international public relations executives.  The Grand Award was established in 1990 to recognize excellence in campaigns that address priority issues before the world Organization.

For more information, please contact Dina Daoud at e-mail:  daoudd@un.org or telephone:  +1 917 367 1088.

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For information media • not an official record