McDonald's and Disney name Millennium Dreamers

McDonald's and Disney name Millennium Dreamers

McDonald's and Disney Name 2,000 'Millennium Dreamers' Ambassadors To Attend Youth Summit

Global Gathering to be Held at Walt Disney World May 8-10

Today at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City, McDonald's Corporation and The Walt Disney Co. unveiled the names of 2,000 "Millennium Dreamers Ambassadors" from around the world, who will represent their countries and communities at one of the largest global youth summits ever held. The event will take place May 8-10 at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.

The young ambassadors range in age from 8-15 and are being recognized for their outstanding contributions to their communities in more than 90 countries worldwide. Mrs. Nane Annan, wife of UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, helped preside over the salute to children and their remarkable accomplishments.

Implemented in association with UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), the "Millennium Dreamers" global children's recognition program featured one of the largest and most far-reaching searches ever conducted to seek out and honor young people who are making a difference. Together with Disney, McDonald's restaurants worldwide helped distribute nomination forms and promote the program in their local areas.

"By showcasing these 2,000 young people and their truly inspiring stories, we are saluting children and their families everywhere as the true heroes of our society," said Jack M. Greenberg, McDonald's chairman and chief executive officer. "We are proud to be partnering with Disney on this rewarding worldwide initiative that reinforces our joint commitment to kids."

"The glare of the headlines sometimes blinds us to the incredibly selfless acts performed daily by young people everywhere to make our world a better place," said Michael D. Eisner, chairman and CEO of The Walt Disney Co. "Disney and McDonald's are proud to celebrate the millennium by honoring these leaders of the next century and showcasing their stories."

Young people between the ages of 8 and 15 were eligible to participate in the Millennium Dreamers program. Nomination forms were distributed via elementary and secondary schools throughout the United States; select national children's organizations including Junior Achievement, National Latino Children's Institute, and National Association for the Advancement of Colored People; McDonald's and Disney Web sites; and at participating McDonald's restaurants worldwide.

Among the children being honored by the "Millennium Dreamers" program are:

  • Jozica Zupancic, 12-year-old girl, Slovenia -- Convinced her family and the families of her school friends to not only take in and shelter Kosovo children war refugees ... but integrate them into their communities and schools as well.
  • Michael Block, eight-year-old boy, Forest Hills, N.Y. -- After seeing his mother attacked, founded the crime victim's rights organization for kids, which helps raise money for thousands of children who are crime victims or have seen crimes committed.
  • Noris Villarreal, 11-year-old girl, Venezuela -- Despite her broken arm, assisted fellow survivors for 14 days after their plane crashed in the Amazon jungle. Her brave efforts led to their eventual rescue and helped prevent one injured man from committing suicide.
  • Donavan Mitchem, 10-year-old boy, Chicago, Ill. -- Has found a way to advance children's issues in politics via his role as president of the "Kiddy Group" at Rainbow Push. He also is a correspondent for Oprah Winfrey.

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said that " ... it is young people's hope and energy, their enthusiasm and willingness to experiment, that make society move forward; young people coming together to work out their own agenda, without waiting for governments to tell them what to do; succeeding generations making sure they do indeed succeed in more senses than one." In recent years, the Secretary-General has stressed the importance of youth involvement as well as public-private partnership in working toward international goals.

The 2,000 "Millennium Dreamers" ambassadors will gather at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida May 8-10 to share their inspirational stories with the world at one of the largest gatherings of young people from around the world ever held. While there, they will also participate in a global symposium presented by Disney Institute.

McDonald's and Disney launched the "Millennium Dreamers" program in fall 1999 by inviting children around the world to complete a nomination form describing their community-service activities. Independent judging panels from participating countries around the world selected the final 2,000 ambassadors, based on the creativity, inspirational value and impact of the contribution on the community and beyond.

McDonald's Corporation and The Walt Disney Company are global alliance partners in an exclusive 10-year multi-divisional, multi-national relationship.

For more information about selected Millennium Dreamers in your area, please call Shannon Collins at 312/729-4348 or visit the McDonald's Web site at www.mcdonalds.com .


-- Posted March 21, 2000

Source: Company Press Release