GEORGE HARRISON UN PROJECT

GEORGE HARRISON
UN PROJECT
GEORGE HARRISON
UN PROJECT

THE INSPIRATION

In early 2001, David Clark heard a speech by United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan about the need to get people around the world excited and engaged around key UN initiatives.

In an attempt to see if he could be of assistance in any way, Clark began to research how the United Nations engaged with its Member States to activate and roll out initiatives and campaigns. After looking into the matter, one thing became very clear, it was extremely difficult for the United Nations to create annual UN Observances because all 193 Member States had to unanimously agree. And on top of that, once an official UN Observance was created, the UN rarely leveraged it or took credit for it.

World AIDS Day was a good example. In 2001, AIDS organizations around the world leveraged World AIDS Day – December 1st to raise funds and awareness for their own campaigns, yet the organizations never mentioned the UN’s role in establishing this global observance nor promoted any of the UN’s AIDS initiatives. In Clark’s view, the UN was losing a tremendous amount of awareness building opportunities every year.

Clark posed a question: “What if the UN could communicate more like a brand and link itself to these events in an authentic and unforgettable way? If they did, it would provide the UN with a powerful vehicle to get people around the world excited and engaged around key UN initiatives.”

THE INSPIRATION

In early 2001, David Clark heard a speech by United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan about the need to get people around the world excited and engaged around key UN initiatives.

In an attempt to see if he could be of assistance in any way, Clark began to research how the United Nations engaged with its Member States to activate and roll out initiatives and campaigns. After looking into the matter, one thing became very clear, it was extremely difficult for the United Nations to create annual UN Observances because all 193 Member States had to unanimously agree. And on top of that, once an official UN Observance was created, the UN rarely leveraged it or took credit for it.

World AIDS Day was a good example. In 2001, AIDS organizations around the world leveraged World AIDS Day – December 1st to raise funds and awareness for their own campaigns, yet the organizations never mentioned the UN’s role in establishing this global observance nor promoted any of the UN’s AIDS initiatives. In Clark’s view, the UN was losing a tremendous amount of awareness building opportunities every year.

Clark posed a question: “What if the UN could communicate more like a brand and link itself to these events in an authentic and unforgettable way? If they did, it would provide the UN with a powerful vehicle to get people around the world excited and engaged around key UN initiatives.”

THE INSPIRATION

In early 2001, David Clark heard a speech by United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan about the need to get people around the world excited and engaged around key UN initiatives.

In an attempt to see if he could be of assistance in any way, Clark began to research how the United Nations engaged with its Member States to activate and roll out initiatives and campaigns. After looking into the matter, one thing became very clear, it was extremely difficult for the United Nations to create annual UN Observances because all 193 Member States had to unanimously agree. And on top of that, once an official UN Observance was created, the UN rarely leveraged it or took credit for it.

World AIDS Day was a good example. In 2001, AIDS organizations around the world leveraged World AIDS Day – December 1st to raise funds and awareness for their own campaigns, yet the organizations never mentioned the UN’s role in establishing this global observance nor promoted any of the UN’s AIDS initiatives. In Clark’s view, the UN was losing a tremendous amount of awareness building opportunities every year.

Clark posed a question: “What if the UN could communicate more like a brand and link itself to these events in an authentic and unforgettable way? If they did, it would provide the UN with a powerful vehicle to get people around the world excited and engaged around key UN initiatives.”

THE PROJECT

In January of 2001, David Clark approached the United Nations Fund for International Partnerships – the UN Agency created to form strategic relationships with the private sector. In the initial meeting, the UN was excited by the prospect of “Taking back their days,” and asked Clark to ideate around their number one goal for that year – promoting anti-poverty measures around the world.

Together they identified a perfect day to leverage, UN Day to Eradicate Poverty (aka “World Poverty Day”). With this date in mind, Clark began to look for a historic or cultural connection to the UN Observance that would get the world’s attention. He quickly found both.  

Thirty years before, in 1971, the country of Bangladesh was experiencing extreme poverty, so in an attempt to raise awareness and funds for those suffering most, musician Ravi Shankar reached out to his friend George Harrison to create “The Concert for Bangladesh.” This iconic concert hosted by George Harrison raised millions of dollars and included Ringo Star, Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Billy Preston and Leon Russell.  

Since George Harrison selected a UN organization (UNICEF) as his beneficiary for this historic anti-poverty benefit concert, Clark wondered – what if he could stage a new concert on the 30th Anniversary of the Concert for Bangladesh, on UN World Poverty Day, so all 193 Member States of the UN could promote it.

Clark presented his idea to the UN who quickly embraced it. In order to secure Mr. Harrison’s participation, Clark helped the UN draft and deliver an invitation that began, “Dear Mr. Harrison, on behalf of our 193 Member States, we call upon you again...” Once he read the UN letter, George Harrison graciously agreed to participate.

George Harrison became the Co-Executive Producer with David Clark. San Francisco based Bill Graham Presents (now Live Nation), a renowned Concert Producer/Promoter agreed to produce, promote and finance the concert at Madison Square Garden.


THE PROJECT

In January of 2001, David Clark approached the United Nations Fund for International Partnerships – the UN Agency created to form strategic relationships with the private sector. In the initial meeting, the UN was excited by the prospect of “Taking back their days,” and asked Clark to ideate around their number one goal for that year – promoting anti-poverty measures around the world.

Together they identified a perfect day to leverage, UN Day to Eradicate Poverty (aka “World Poverty Day”). With this date in mind, Clark began to look for a historic or cultural connection to the UN Observance that would get the world’s attention. He quickly found both.  

Thirty years before, in 1971, the country of Bangladesh was experiencing extreme poverty, so in an attempt to raise awareness and funds for those suffering most, musician Ravi Shankar reached out to his friend George Harrison to create “The Concert for Bangladesh.” This iconic concert hosted by George Harrison raised millions of dollars and included Ringo Star, Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Billy Preston and Leon Russell.  

Since George Harrison selected a UN organization (UNICEF) as his beneficiary for this historic anti-poverty benefit concert, Clark wondered – what if he could stage a new concert on the 30th Anniversary of the Concert for Bangladesh, on UN World Poverty Day, so all 193 Member States of the UN could promote it.

Clark presented his idea to the UN who quickly embraced it. In order to secure Mr. Harrison’s participation, Clark helped the UN draft and deliver an invitation that began, “Dear Mr. Harrison, on behalf of our 193 Member States, we call upon you again...” Once he read the UN letter, George Harrison graciously agreed to participate.

George Harrison became the Co-Executive Producer with David Clark. San Francisco based Bill Graham Presents (now Live Nation), a renowned Concert Producer/Promoter agreed to produce, promote and finance the concert at Madison Square Garden.


THE PROJECT

In January of 2001, David Clark approached the United Nations Fund for International Partnerships – the UN Agency created to form strategic relationships with the private sector. In the initial meeting, the UN was excited by the prospect of “Taking back their days,” and asked Clark to ideate around their number one goal for that year – promoting anti-poverty measures around the world.

Together they identified a perfect day to leverage, UN Day to Eradicate Poverty (aka “World Poverty Day”). With this date in mind, Clark began to look for a historic or cultural connection to the UN Observance that would get the world’s attention. He quickly found both.  

Thirty years before, in 1971, the country of Bangladesh was experiencing extreme poverty, so in an attempt to raise awareness and funds for those suffering most, musician Ravi Shankar reached out to his friend George Harrison to create “The Concert for Bangladesh.” This iconic concert hosted by George Harrison raised millions of dollars and included Ringo Star, Eric Clapton, Bob Dylan, Billy Preston and Leon Russell.  

Since George Harrison selected a UN organization (UNICEF) as his beneficiary for this historic anti-poverty benefit concert, Clark wondered – what if he could stage a new concert on the 30th Anniversary of the Concert for Bangladesh, on UN World Poverty Day, so all 193 Member States of the UN could promote it.

Clark presented his idea to the UN who quickly embraced it. In order to secure Mr. Harrison’s participation, Clark helped the UN draft and deliver an invitation that began, “Dear Mr. Harrison, on behalf of our 193 Member States, we call upon you again...” Once he read the UN letter, George Harrison graciously agreed to participate.

George Harrison became the Co-Executive Producer with David Clark. San Francisco based Bill Graham Presents (now Live Nation), a renowned Concert Producer/Promoter agreed to produce, promote and finance the concert at Madison Square Garden.


Unfortunately, the event never came to fruition. During planning for the event in the Spring of 2001, Mr. Harrison became ill and the project was put on hold. George Harrison passed away in November 2001.

While this project was never fully realized, it demonstrated the power of thinking like a brand to the United Nations. They understood Clark’s vision, and through this initial effort, Clark maintains a strong relationship with the UN to this day.

Unfortunately, the event never came to fruition. During planning for the event in the Spring of 2001, Mr. Harrison became ill and the project was put on hold. George Harrison passed away in November 2001.

While this project was never fully realized, it demonstrated the power of thinking like a brand to the United Nations. They understood Clark’s vision, and through this initial effort, Clark maintains a strong relationship with the UN to this day.

Unfortunately, the event never came to fruition. During planning for the event in the Spring of 2001, Mr. Harrison became ill and the project was put on hold. George Harrison passed away in November 2001.

While this project was never fully realized, it demonstrated the power of thinking like a brand to the United Nations. They understood Clark’s vision, and through this initial effort, Clark maintains a strong relationship with the UN to this day.

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