UNICEF calls on Partners to imagine a better future for children

On December 19, 2014, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) celebrated its 20 year anniversary in Armenia. The event, launched by UNICEF Representative in Armenia Henriette Ahrens and Bishop Vardan Navasardyan, was also dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child – the most ratified human rights treaty in history.

“The 25th anniversary of the Convention is an important milestone to look at what accomplishments we have in child rights and pave the way for future success,” noted Children’s fund representative Henriette Ahrens. “During the past 20 years we have seen considerable progress in Armenia in child rights through joint work with the Armenian government and the public sector. Despite the developments, there is yet a lot to do.”

During the event, UNICEF presented the Armenian version of its new initiative , also dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the Convention. The initiative aims to create the largest sing-along of one of the world’s most liked songs – John Lennon’s Imagine. Thousands of children and their parents, artists and musicians (Kathy Perry, will.i.am, Prianka Chopra, Hugh Jackman, Nicole Scherzinger, Courtney Cox, Craig David, Adam Lambert and others), as well as journalists have joined the initiative through imagine.unicef.org from all over the world.

UNICEF will create the multi-language world version of Imagine combining all individual recordings with the curation of DJ Guetta, which will be released in the New Year’s Eve. Each upload of an individual recording will also help fundraise to support child protection and support programmes in 150 countries.

During the event, UNICEF presented Armenia song  which was produced with the support of Armen Martirosyan and Hrach Keshishyan. The remix version of IMAGINE Armenia was also presented by DJ Vakcina. Contributing artists include UNICEF National Goodwill Ambassador Alla Levonyan, Armenian Canadian opera singer Isabel Bayrakdarian, System of a Down band’s soloist Serj Tankian, Dorians band soloist Gor Sujyan, Arto Tuncboyaciyan, Tigran Petrosyan, and Little Singers of Armenia choir.

The event today was attended by over 300 guests, including RA National Assembly Deputy President Hermine Naghdalyan, Minister of Health Armen Muradyan, Minister of Labor and Social Affairs Artem Asatryan, Deputy Director of National Institute of Education Anahit Bakhshyan, other partners from the Armenian government, ambassadors, and representatives of local and international NGOs, as well as artists and children