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World Childhood Foundation USA
on Path to Raise $1 Million at its 2023 Gala
to Help Fight Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse
H.M. Queen Silvia of Sweden and H.R.H. Princess Madeleine of
Sweden hosted the event, which honored Hans Vestberg,
Chairman & CEO, Verizon; Jennifer Wortham, Chair, Global
Collaborative;
and Daniela Ligiero, CEO, Together for Girls, Co-Founder,
The Brave Movement
World Childhood Foundation USA (Childhood USA), one of the
country’s leading non-profits in the fight against child
sexual exploitation and abuse, held its 2023 Gala on October
16th. The Gala is on path to raise more than $1
million in support of its mission to inspire, promote, and
develop solutions to end sexual abuse, exploitation and
violence against children.
The Gala, which took place at 583 Park Avenue, was a night
dedicated to raising awareness and resources for the
Foundation's mission. The event was hosted by H.M. Queen
Silvia of Sweden and H.R.H Princess Madeleine of Sweden, and
attended by luminaries in the corporate and philanthropic
worlds. Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter Natasha
Bedingfield gave an exclusive performance for the attendees.
Hans Vestberg, Chairman & CEO of Verizon; Jennifer Wortham,
Chair of the Global Collaborative; and Daniela Ligiero, CEO
of Together for Girls and Go-Founder of The Brave Movement,
were each presented with the Childhood USA Champion Award,
recognizing their remarkable contributions helping to
safeguard and support the most vulnerable in our society.
H.M. Queen Silvia of Sweden, said, “Everyone in this room
tonight is here to advance dignity for children in distress,
and to build pathways to a brighter future. Make no mistake,
this is a problem we can actually do something about. We
must raise awareness, continue to pioneer meaningful
programs, develop innovative technologies and push for
legislation to protect children.”
The World Childhood Foundation wishes to express profound
gratitude to the following sponsors, whose generosity played
a pivotal role in the event's success, including Verizon,
Like Nastya, Joanna Heimbold, and the Inner Foundation.
“The Childhood USA Gala is a vital fundraiser for our
organization, and we are profoundly thankful to all of our
supporters,” said Mary L. Pulido, Ph.D., Childhood USA’s
newly named Executive Director. “The funds raised will make
a tangible difference in our ability to create a world where
all children can grow up safe and secure. The unwavering and
generous support of individuals, organizations, and our
founder H.M. Queen Silvia propels us forward on our
mission.”
The funds raised at the gala will be channeled directly into
programs that address the root causes of child sexual abuse
and exploitation, providing children with the protection and
opportunities they deserve.
Earlier on Monday, H.M. Queen Silvia spoke at the United
Nations on behalf of the World Childhood Foundation at a
high-level meeting titled, “Placing Child Protection at the
Core of Sustainable Travel and Tourism.” The event was held
together with the Swedish Mission to the UN and the Office
of the Special Representative of the UN Secretary General on
Violence Against Children, and convened leaders from
governments, academia, civil society and the private sector.
Many child protection challenges emerge in the context of
travel and tourism. Children are victims of child labor,
sexual exploitation and trafficking, among other forms of
violence and harm. As the ongoing increase in the number of
travelers worldwide coincides with an increase in children’s
vulnerability to violence for diverse reasons, urgent action
is needed. This high-level meeting helped to rethink travel
and tourism to ensure that child protection is at the core
of making the sector truly sustainable.
For more information about the World Childhood Foundation
and to learn how you can contribute to the cause,
please visit
www.childhood-usa.org
About Childhood USA
For over 20 years World Childhood Foundation USA’s mission,
founded by Her Majesty Queen Silvia of Sweden, has been to
inspire, promote, and develop solutions to end sexual abuse,
exploitation, and violence against children. A United
Nations accredited NGO, Childhood USA has served over 90,000
children and their families in the United States – both
directly and indirectly – through innovative and grassroots
programmatic support, global/US advocacy initiatives, such
as The Out of the Shadows Index; a benchmarking study on
prevention of and response to CSEA, and high-level meetings
with government, academic, civil society, and private sector
leaders.
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