Searching to Aid UN Refugee Agency’s Ninemillion.org
Click for the Cause with Live Search leads to donations for refugee youth education programmes
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - January 23, 2007 - Microsoft announced its continued collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), a United Nations agency mandated to lead and coordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Ninemillion.org, which uses the slogan “Nine million faces. Nine million names. Nine million stories,” was launched by the UNHCR, Microsoft, Nike Inc. and other corporate partners as part of their expanded Internet-based campaign to help the estimated 9 million refugee children and youth around the world.
In support of ninemillion.org, today Microsoft kicked off its Click for the Cause initiative in which Internet searches performed at http://Click4TheCause.Live.com using Microsoft’s search service, Live Search, through March 2007 will result in a financial donation to ninemillion.org.
“Over 9,000 refugee children live in Malaysia, living in very difficult circumstances and with no access to education. Many are denied a childhood due to their displacement,” said Dr Volker Türk, head of UNHCR in Malaysia. “By participating in this initiative, consumers are helping refugee children all over the world have a chance for a normal life.”
Grant Watts, General Manager Southeast Asia at Microsoft Online Service Group, said, “At Microsoft, we have a responsibility to utilise our resources and influence to make a positive impact on the world and its people, particularly the less fortunate.”
The Live Search donation programme will be coupled with a broad online awareness campaign for ninemillion.org to include advertising and editorial space on Microsoft online properties, such as MSN and microsoft.com, in 23 countries around the world. Those interested in learning more about ninemillion.org can visit its Windows Live Space at http://nine-million.spaces.live.com.
Ninemillion.org was launched on World Refugee Day (June 20, 2006) as a new public-and private-sector initiative and an example of how business partners are helping UNHCR give refugees hope for a better future. The campaign has received key support from Microsoft as well as other members of UNHCR’s Council of Business Leaders. Two-thirds of the money raised through the campaign will be used for education projects in refugee camps.
“We continue to be impressed with the significant work of the UNHCR and ninemillion.org, and are excited about the opportunity to support a cause that has an impact on so many people around the world,” said Watts.
In Malaysia, there are 7.4 million people who use MSN and Windows Live services, including Windows Live Messenger, Windows Live Search, Hotmail and MSN Homepage.
In more than five decades, the UNHCR has helped an estimated 50 million people restart their lives. Today, a staff of around 6,689 people in 116 countries continues to help 20.8 million persons.
Note to Editor:
In Malaysia, there are some 49,000 refugees and asylum seekers registered with UNHCR, mostly from Myanmar. Over 9,000 of them are children aged below 18. Refugee children who live in exile are frequently denied normal childhoods. Security fears make everyday activities, like playing outdoors, difficult. They have no access to formal education. Many take on the burden of working to help the family make ends meet. UNHCR works with Malaysian partners to ensure that the refugee children’s developmental, emotional and psychological needs are met.
For more information, visit www.unhcr.org.
About MSN and Windows Live
MSN attracts more than 465 million unique users worldwide per month. With localized versions available globally in 42 markets and 21 languages, MSN is a world leader in delivering compelling programmed content experiences to consumers and online advertising opportunities to businesses worldwide. MSN is located on the Web at http://www.msn.com.my. MSN worldwide sites are located at http://www.msn.com/worldwide.ashx.
Windows Live, a new set of personal Internet services and software, is designed to bring together in one place all the relationships, information and interests people care about most, with enhanced safety and security features across their PC, devices and the Web. MSN and Windows Live will be offered alongside each other as complementary services. Some Windows Live services entered an early beta phase on Nov. 1, 2005; these and future beta updates can be found at http://ideas.live.com. Windows Live is available at http://www.live.com.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (NASDAQ “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software-any time, any place and on any device.
Media enquiries
UNHCR (+60-3) 2141-1322
Microsoft (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd
Edelman (+60-3) 2287-8689
