Smurfs Team Up With United Nations In 2017 For A Happier, More Peaceful And Equitable World

The popular Smurfs characters are encouraging children, young people and adults to make the world happier, more peaceful, equitable and healthy with a campaign launched today by the United Nations, UNICEF, and the United Nations Foundation.

The “Small Smurfs Big Goals” campaign is designed to encourage everyone to learn about and support the 17 Sustainable Development Goals which were agreed on by all 193 member countries of the United Nations in 2015. A Public Service Announcement video will be used to inspire viewers around the world to champion the Goals, which include ending extreme poverty, protecting the planet and giving everyone the chance to enjoy peace and prosperity.

The public can also join “Team Smurfs” by visiting the SmallSmurfsBigGoals.com website to find out in multiple languages how they can contribute to achieving the Goals; discover which goals are best suited to their interests; raise their voices for a better world for all; and share information, ideas and images on social media.

“The entertainment industry moves the hearts and minds of people of all ages, and the UN thanks our friends at Sony Pictures Animation and the Smurfs for this creative effort to mobilize support for the Sustainable Development Goals,” said Maher Nasser, Director of the Outreach Division in the United Nations Department of Public Information. “We hope this campaign will motivate millions of young people and their families to do their part to end poverty, reduce inequality, and protect our planet – three key aspects that will lead to the well-being and happiness of all people.”

Team Smurfs will rally behind the 17 Goals through to the International Day of Happiness on 20 March 2017. Voice actors from the upcoming animated movie Smurfs: The Lost Village will attend a celebration at United Nations headquarters in New York on Saturday, March 18 to honour youth who have already taken action to achieve the Goals in their own communities.

“We know that children and young people are some of the world’s most passionate advocates on issues that matter to them the most. We must continue to find new ways to empower them to help achieve a world free from inequality and injustice for every child. This campaign will give children and young people the platform they need to have their voices heard,” said UNICEF Director of Communications Paloma Escudero.

“The campaign message focuses on the notion that every one of us can make a difference, regardless of our size,” said Veronique Culliford, the daughter of Peyo, who created the Smurfs in 1958. “It’s an honor and privilege for The Smurfs to support the United Nations and to continue our longstanding relationship with UNICEF.”

“All of us, even a small Smurf, can achieve big goals!” added Demi Lovato, who voices Smurfette in the upcoming animated film.

Notes to editors

To view the United Nations/UNICEF Smurfs Partnership Video, please go to: www.smallsmurfsbiggoals.com

For High Resolution Print and Video assets in a variety of formats, please visit:http://bit.ly/2jxN43M

Participants can engage on social media using the hash-tags #SmallSmurfsBigGoals and #TeamSmurfs

For media inquiries or requests for press interviews, please contact:

Sony Pictures

Jean Guerin

Senior Vice President, Media Relations

Sony Pictures Entertainment Motion Picture Group

+1.310.244.2923

United Nations

Carlos Islam

Public Information Officer

Department of Public Information

islamc@un.org

+1.212.963.2985

ABOUT THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

In September 2015, UN Member States unanimously adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, focused on the three interconnected elements of: economic growth, social inclusion and environmental protection. With 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at its core, the Agenda is universal, integrated and transformative and aims to spur actions that will end poverty, reduce inequality and tackle climate change between now and 2030.

For more information, go to: www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment or follow us on Twitter at @GlobalGoalsUN and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/globalgoalsUN.

ABOUT THE UNITED NATIONS

The United Nations is an international organization founded in 1945 after the Second World War and is committed to maintaining international peace and security, developing friendly relations among nations and promoting social progress, better living standards and human rights. It is currently made up of 193 Member States, and in 2015 they unanimously adopted the Sustainable Development Goals. For more information, visit www.un.org

ABOUT UNICEF

UNICEF promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child in all of its work. Together with its partners, UNICEF works in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere. For more information about UNICEF and its work for children visit www.unicef.org

ABOUT THE UNITED NATIONS FOUNDATION

The United Nations Foundation builds public-private partnerships to address the world’s most pressing problems, and broadens support for the United Nations through advocacy and public outreach. Through innovative campaigns and initiatives, the Foundation connects people, ideas, and resources to help the UN solve global problems. The Foundation was created in 1998 as a U.S. public charity by entrepreneur and philanthropist Ted Turner and now is supported by global corporations, foundations, governments, and individuals. For more information, visit www.unfoundation.org

ABOUT SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT

Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Sony Entertainment Inc., a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE’s global operations encompass motion picture production, acquisition and distribution; television production, acquisition and distribution; television networks; digital content creation and distribution; operation of studio facilities; and development of new entertainment products, services and technologies. For additional information, go to http://www.sonypictures.com.