Top African stars team up to score 8 goals for Africa

Top African stars team up to score 8 goals for Africa

PRETORIA, March 31, 2010/African Press Organization (APO)/ --

Eight of Africa's best known musical talents are now lending their voices in support of a United Nations campaign in South Africa to encourage commitment to the achievement of the 8 Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Artists, including Baba Maal (Senegal), Angélique Kidjo (Benin), Eric Wainaina (Kenya) and Yvonne Chaka Chaka (South Africa) have teamed up to deliver a song that will stir our souls and create awareness at individual, community and government levels to re-focus commitment to the MDGs.

A little over nine years ago, 189 world leaders agreed to the Millennium Declaration and committed to the Millennium Development Goals ? a set of benchmarks to accelerate human development and halve global poverty by 2015.

Eight African artists (one for each MDG) from across the continent have been contracted to record and perform the song that will be produced by world-renowned music producer, Arthur Baker. The music for the song is composed by Jimmy Dludlu (South Africa), and the lyrics have been written by Eric Wainaina (Kenya).

United Nations Resident Coordinator Dr Agostinho Zacarias has expressed the urgency of addressing the MDGs in light of current challenges: ?In the wake of the global financial crisis we are today facing a development emergency and it is now more urgent than ever that the 8 Millennium Development Goals remain a priority and that leaders are urged to take action towards achieving them.?

?For the first time in history, the FIFA World Cup will be hosted on African soil; significantly, the continent least likely to achieve the Goals despite considerable efforts and some progress. The World Cup 2010 South Africa therefore presents an opportune occasion for all stakeholders to consider engaging more robustly on the issues surrounding the 8 MDGs in Africa.?, he said.

The ?8 GOALS FOR AFRICA' song is part of an awareness and advocacy campaign developed by the United Nations System in South Africa on the 8 MDGs. Accompanied by a music video, it will be disseminated free of charge locally and internationally, before, during and after the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The performing artists will also make special appearances during the soccer event, promoting the MDGs and calling for action from relevant stakeholders.

The campaign is expected to bring together UN agencies, civil society, the Government of South Africa, development partners, the private sector and the people of South Africa, Africa and the world.

?The UN is very excited to work with Africa's stars and hopes that this project will inspire everyone to become more involved in heeding the UN Secretary General's call to action. 2010 is a year of action. Fastracking efforts to achieve the MDGs would be a remarkable legacy of the World Cup? Dr Agostinho Zacarias concluded.

Source: UNITED NATIONS

-------
Profile: intent