MICROSOFT AIDS UN REFUGEE AGENCY BY MATCHING DONATIONS MADE ON FACEBOOK

The technology company Microsoft has pledged to match dollar for dollar, up to $50,000, every donation to the United Nations refugee agency made on social networking site Facebook.

The campaign, launched to help mark World Refugee Day on 20 June, has already received pledges of more than $10,000, to be matched by Microsoft, according to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.

Donations can be made through Facebook's Causes section, directly to the agency's "Gimme Shelter" programme, which seeks "to deliver the stark message that more than 34 million people of concern to UNHCR are fighting every day for shelter…"

The Gimme Shelter campaign is also supported by short films directed by American actor Ben Affleck set to the Rolling Stones' track "Gimme Shelter" – donated by Mick Jagger.

UNHCR's Claudia Gisiger-Gonzalez said the Facebook campaign "will help users double their donation, or effectively make a donation simply by joining the Gimme Shelter cause."

The theme for this year's World Refugee Day is "Real People, Real Needs." Worldwide events to mark the day include light shows, film screenings, photography exhibitions, lectures, panel discussions, food bazaars, fashion shows, cultural performances, concerts and sports contests.
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LONDON appointed by Aegis to secure sponsorship for Rwandan genocide survivors campaign

LONDON has been appointed by the Aegis Trust – an independent, international organisation that is dedicated to eliminating genocide – to secure a sponsor for the charity’s “Candles for Rwanda” campaign.

The online Candles for Rwanda global campaign marks the 15th anniversary of the Rwandan genocide and is being primarily driven by a series of viral films which show prominent celebrities, politicians and diplomats lighting candles in memory of those who lost their lives. The films, which aim to encourage donations, feature individuals including Scarlett Johansson, Ben Affleck, Sandra Bullock and David Cameron. The films can all be viewed at www.candlesforrwanda.org/donate and on YouTube.

LONDON is working with Aegis Trust to secure corporate sponsorship for the initiative and to develop the online campaign in order to maximise public awareness and increase the number of donations made.

Commenting on their appointment, Michael Moszynski, CEO of LONDON said:

“Aegis Trust has achieved an amazing coup in securing the support of some of the most prominent people on the planet for this very important initiative. However without corporate sponsors to secure funding of £250,000 to promote global awareness of the initiative, people will not know about the campaign or how to donate.

This is a global issue and a global campaign so as a new type of global agency we are giving our time at no cost to do what we can do to help spread the word. I would like to personally appeal for an individual, media owner or company to come forward to help make this happen. ”

Dr James Smith, Chief Executive of the Aegis Trust, said:

“The backing of prominent world figures for Candles for Rwanda has created an opportunity to change the lives of people still suffering from one of the international scandals of the past two decades. They are not sitting with a begging bowl. But we owe it to them to lend a hand in rebuilding their lives and their country. There couldn’t be a better partner than LONDON behind this; I know with support from sponsors something special can happen.”