Stars for Children

Partnership developed in one sector often lead to alliances in another. For example the editor of an entertainment weekly Ananda Bichitra played a major role in organizing a support group of entertainment stars who donate their time and images to assist the cause of children. Called “We Are For Children” its members posed for posters, addressed rallies, toured outlying areas, appeared in television spots and gave press interviews to support Epi. By publicly endorsing Epi they became highly-visible advocators for the programme. Community theatre groups also mounted plays in different parts of Bangladesh, supporting immunization and linking it with other social issues. Well-known theatre stars acted in these plays giving Epi high visibility and immediate recognition.
Star value was added in other ways too. In a country crazy about football, the captains of the two main rival teams posed for posters and acted in television spots, saying that while there is a rivalry in the field there is unity when it comes to children’s immunization. “Star” attraction peaked in 1989 when UNICEF Special Representative for Spots, International cricket Star Imran Khan, visited Bangladesh to promote Epi. Over 250 arcticles appeared in various Newspapers. He made the nightly news on both national radio and TV with commentary ranging from cricket. His material plans and of course Epi and children. He run a number of cricket sessions with young players and talked to huge crowds on the benefit of immunization.
The prestigious Dhaka Club not only hosted a fund-raising dinner in his honour, it also auctioned his bat and donated the proceeds to UNICEF. Rotarians, who were already partner on the programme through their PolioPlus Programme, gave a reception with the Vice President at host NGOs held a reception when Imran Khan addressed city volunteers for Epi, providing inspiration and recognition to the contribution made by the NGO sector.
UNICEF began to involved celebrities in raising awareness and funds for its programmes in 1945. Well-known entertainment personalities such as Danny Kaye, Sir Peter Ustinov, Liv Ullmann, Tetsuko Koroyanagi, Harry Belafonte, Sir Richard Attenborough, and Audrey Hepburn have travelled to many developing countries, often accompanied by local and international reporters and film and television crews. Besides Imran Khan, UNICEF has appointed other special representative such as Julio Iglesias, the Spanish singer; Youssou N’Dour, a popular musician from Senegal; and most recently, Roger Moore, and Sir Edmond Hillary, The presence of such personalities, on location and international attention on programme for children.
When Audrey Hepburn came to Bangladesh in October 1989 her highly profiled partly because her films are still popular amongst Bangladesh’s elite and partly because “We Are For Children” played host to her in Dhaka and made it into a star event. The largest single gathering of film stars in Bangladesh took place at the national film studio where she was received by Shabana, the top heroine of Bangladesh who had taken her tetanus shots on camera, appealing to all woman to do the same. Addressing Bangladesh’s largest ever gathering on United Nations Day, Audrey Hepburn created a sense of togetherness between the United Nations and the people of Bangladesh, symbolizing the joint effort to give the children of the world a better chance.
The visits of Imran Khan and Audrey Hepburn achieved a high level of advocacy, leading to Epi’s secure place on the Government’s agenda.

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