Istanbul  is host to the World Humanitarian Summit, May 23-24. 2016. To shape a different global future in a world facing unprecedented humanitarian challenges — (130 million people in desperate need to survive) — relief activists and celebrities joined UNSG, Ban Ki-moon and the President of Turkey for this seminal two-day summit whose Agenda for Humanity & Core Responsibilities include:   Prevent & End Conflict, Respect Rules of War, Leave No One Behind, Working Differently to End Need, Invest in Humanity.

Forest Whitaker, Ashley Judd,  Daniel Craig, Malian Singer – Inna Modja, and Sean Penn were among renowned celebrities whose performances and inspiring words emanated throughout opening ceremonies.

Premiering the prior evening, director Sean Penn’s movie “The Last Face” confirmed the role the entertainment industry and its global stars contribute to raising the level of awareness for humanitarian affairs.  The Last Face features “Academy Award-winning actors Charlize Theron and Javier Bardem as relief workers faced with difficult situations during civil unrest in an African nation.”  Ban Ki-moon also recalled a poignant meeting in earthquake-stricken Haiti where Sean Penn was working among the displaced and he had met the star among the ruins.

Forest Whitaker, UNESCO Special Envoy for Peace & Reconciliation, called for a collective global responsibility “to ensure that humanity – people’s safety, dignity and the right to thrive – are placed at the heart of global decision-making, to transform humanitarian aid to development assistance.”

UNICEF announced a new education fund to target education to children in crisis zones, #EducationCannotWait. Stressed its Executive Director, Anthony Lake: “Children don’t need education even in emergencies; they need education especially in emergencies.” “Without an education, how will they gain the knowledge and skills to chart their own futures – and to someday lend their hands to building more peaceful, stable futures for their societies? And how can we hope to reach our global development goals for education if we don’t focus on children trapped in humanitarian emergencies – who represent almost half of all children out of school today?”

Stay tuned for Day 2 Summit highlights tomorrow.

For more stories, see: “Aiding #Refugees with Art as Artists Aid Refugees”  and  “#Education Cannot Wait – Find out Why”

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By, Susan Sacirbey @DiplomaticallyX