Parents from every walk of life want their children to be empowered to achieve their dreams. The best part is: as parents, and as families, we can get there together.
When I became a mother, it opened a connection in my heart with parents everywhere. As I care and support and provide for my four kids, I realize we all want the same things. Whether it’s the child in your home, the child across the street or the child half a planet away, my wish for all children and every family is the exact same as for my own: health and wellbeing; mental, emotional and physical safety; and the chance to learn, dream and explore this beautiful world.
For the last five years, I’ve been part of something extraordinary. We have asked parents around the world what they wish for families everywhere. We’ve spoken to moms and dads in Zaatari, the world’s largest Syrian refugee camp. We’ve asked parents in Guatemala and Uganda about their hopes and dreams for families everywhere. We’ve talked to parents in the United States, Australia, Russia, Tanzania, India, Singapore and beyond. Through the Global Moms Relay, a global digital storytelling campaign, we’ve asked the world’s foremost global health experts, nurses, moms and dads, and celebrities such as Jennifer Lopez and Novak Djokovic what they wish were true for families all over the world. And on June 15, we asked this question to experts and advocates at the first-ever Families +SocialGood event in the UK.
The answers to our question from countries all over the world are strikingly similar. Parents from every walk of life want their children to be empowered to achieve their dreams.
The best part is: as parents, and as families, we can get there together. Through the Sustainable Development Goals, which were adopted by countries at the United Nations in September 2015, and through massive efforts by citizens, organizations and businesses in every country, we are already working together to solve major problems that pose great threats to our children’s futures.
It’s a community of moms and dads worldwide – from families in my very own neighborhood, to families in Zambia and Pakistan – who are ready to take action for a better world.
Over the last five years, the United Nations Foundation and Johnson & Johnson have channeled a grassroots movement of moms and dads who are committed to global progress. For a six week period each year, called the Global Moms Relay, 25 blog posts and videos are shared from experts, advocates, and families around the world on the issues that matter to them. Every time the content is liked, shared, or commented on online, Johnson & Johnson donates to five lifesaving campaigns – UNICEF USA, UNFPA, Girl Up, [email protected], and Nothing But Nets. And, livestreamed events such as Moms +SocialGood, Dads +SocialGood and Families +SocialGood allow the world’s leading experts to share new technologies and innovations that are moving the needle for families worldwide.
This movement has engaged 100 million people on 6 of 7 continents. It’s a community of moms and dads worldwide – from families in my very own neighborhood, to families in Zambia and Pakistan – who are ready to take action for a better world. People no longer have the sole options of volunteering or donating money to causes they care about; they can now create global change by harnessing the power of social media, watching videos and reading blog posts, learning about new issues, and engaging in conversations online.
In 2017, social media allowed us to reach a truly impressive goal – we’ve raised over $500,000 for health programs, girls’ education, malaria prevention, and immunization efforts. You can get involved by donating a photo for a cause you care about*. And, join us at www.globalmomschallenge.org for news and information about the big issues families face and what’s being done to solve them.
Take Action Challenge
- Donate a Photo:Take a photo, make an impact. For every photo you share through the Donate a Photo app*, Johnson & Johnson will give $1 to a global cause like improving women’s health, emergency relief, and quality education.
- Watch Moms +SocialGood, Dads +SocialGood, and Families +SocialGood: These three events brought together the world’s foremost experts, celebrities, and advocates to discuss today’s most pressing issues. Watch their panels to learn more about how we can help create a healthy community and planet.
- Read the Global Moms Challenge blog: The Relay doesn’t stop here! Throughout the year, we publish stories on what’s happening around the world – from innovations in water and sanitation, to girls’ education, to eradicating major diseases. Check back frequently for new updates, and join us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
* via the Donate A Photo app for iOS and Android. Johnson & Johnson has curated a list of trusted causes, and you can donate a photo to one cause, once a day. Each cause will appear in the app until it reaches its goal, or the donation period ends. If the goal isn’t reached, the cause will still get receive a minimum donation.