On March 18, the three voices in the film “Smurfs: The Lost Village” – Demi Lovato, Joe Manganiello and Mandy Patinkin, joined officials from the United Nations, UNICEF and United Nations Foundation to celebrate the International Day of Happiness and show their support for the Sustainable Development Goals at UN Headquarters in New York as part of the #SmallSmurfsBigGoals campaign.
The campaign is designed to encourage young people everywhere to learn about and support the 17 Sustainable Development Goals adopted by world leaders at the UN in 2015. As part of the celebrations, Team Smurfs recognized three young advocates: Karan Jerath (20), Sarina Divan (17), and Noor Samee (17), for their actions in furthering issues addressed by the Goals.
The #SmallSmurfsBigGoals campaign culminates on the International Day of Happiness, which recognizes that Gross Domestic Product alone cannot measure the wealth and well-being of a country’s population and a more inclusive, equitable, balanced and sustainable approach to growth and development is key to being happy. This idea is closely linked to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, which have among its aims decent work for all, access to nutritious food, quality education and health services, and freedom from discrimination, giving everyone a chance to enjoy peace, prosperity and happiness.
The United Nations Postal Administration also unveiled a special edition stamp sheet featuring the Small Smurfs Big Goals campaign at the event. The actors and UN officials went on to address some 1,500 international Model UN students in the iconic General Assembly Hall of the United Nations, where they encouraged all attendees and the public to join “Team Smurfs.”
Along with the event at the United Nations, other celebrations took place in 18 countries around the world including Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Russia, and the UK, to name a few, to help raise awareness for the Small Smurfs Big Goals campaign and the Sustainable Development Goals. On Monday, March 20, the cast and other campaign partners will help turn the Empire State Building blue in celebration of the Day.
Read also: “We’re All Smurfs!” Art Exhibition @ Harbour City Hong Kong | July 13 – August 21
