On Wednesday, June 1st Ricky Martin, musician and humanitarian addressed
the media at “A Call to Action,” a panel at the 14th CNN World Report
Conference in Atlanta. This year's theme "Journalism: Connecting
a World of Wisdom,” focused on the relevant and important global and
industry issues facing us in 2005 and in the future. Other panelists
and guests included Former President Jimmy Carter, Former Executive Director
of UNICEF worldwide Carol Bellamy and U2 Lead Singer and Global Activist,
Bono
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For the past several years Martin has devoted his time, resources
and energy to improving the lives of children around the
world. “More than one million children enter the sex trade
each year, forced into pornography and prostitution,” Martin
stated at the panel. The singer is using his voice to create consciousness,
“I hope that my presence will inspire others to take action
on behalf of the kids because what this world truly needs is more people
from all walks of life to join me in this battle of love.”
Martin founded the Ricky Martin Foundation, an organization
that supports (education and health-related) initiatives
that benefit the future of children world-wide. Amongst others, he launched
the People for Children Project that monitors and combats a range of
problems related to the abuse and exploitation of children and human
trafficking. In addition to producing Public Service Announcements calling
for action against trafficking, in October 2004, Mr. Martin met with
foreign ambassadors at the United Nations and headlined a U.S.-sponsored
luncheon urging efforts to end child sex tourism.
Immediately following the devastating Tsunami in South East
Asia, Mr. Martin traveled to Thailand to show his concern
for the country and to warn its most vulnerable people of the dangers
of trafficking. “After looking at those images on television, it was
impossible for me to stay at home with my arms crossed,” said Martin.
Once there, he met with the Prime Minister of Thailand and came to the
aid of children around the world affected by the tragedy by partnering
with Habitat for Humanity to build and restore hundreds of houses in
Pang Nga, Thailand. “I realized I needed to do whatever I could to take
the children who had lost everything off the streets,” said Martin.
The donation, made by the Ricky Martin Foundation will help
more than 1,000 people move out of temporary shelters or
overcrowded camps. No longer threatened by disease, crime and overcrowding,
families will move into simple, safe shelters where they can piece their
lives back together. “I encourage all of the media to take on these issues
with me and declare them to the world as news because your
power and strength, similar to mine, lies in your visibility” said Martin.
