The United Nations Special Envoy for Malaria, Ray Chambers, has announced a Social Media Envoy group of celebrities and leaders to inspire and encourage social media audiences to support malaria control.
The group will use social networking sites such as Twitter, Facebook and Digg to carry out their mission, with stars such as Anderson Cooper, Larry King, Alyssa Milano, Ryan Seacrest and many more involved.
“In our efforts to reach the Secretary-General’s 2010 goal of universal bed net coverage, and to reach the longer term goal of near-zero deaths from malaria by 2015, it is critical that acceleration continue in the malaria control movement,” said Ray Chambers, United Nations Special Envoy for Malaria. “Social media content and user driven syndication have proven to be exceptional media assets in generating action behind, elevating awareness of, and increasing resources for global malaria efforts. With our malaria-related objectives within sight, this influential group of Social Media Envoys will help us exceed our awareness goals throughout the year.”
The Social Media Envoys have agreed to take one social action, such as a tweet on Twitter or wall post on Facebook, in support of malaria control each month for 12 consecutive months. The first organized social action from this group will take place on World Malaria Day, April 25, 2010. The Social Media Envoys have been selected by the Special Envoy for Malaria due to the influence, size and engagement of their Social Web and broadcast audiences.
“I’m so pleased to be a part of Ray Chambers’ and the UN’s efforts,” said Arianna Huffington, co-founder and editor-in-chief of The Huffington Post. “Their plan to use social media to keep the spotlight on the goal of eradicating deaths from malaria by 2015 is smart, forward-thinking, and, given the growing reach of social platforms, very pragmatic. It’s consciousness-raising and movement building 2.0.”
To find out more about this amazing campaign, visit www.MalariaEnvoy.com, or show your support by watching a special video here.
