Smurfs visit UN for International Day of Happiness

The stars of the upcoming film “Smurfs: The Lost Village” joined the United Nations, the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF), and the United Nations Foundation in celebrating the International Day of Happiness through an effort to support the global organization's Sustainable Development Goals.

Demi Lovato, Joe Manganiello, and Mandy Patinkin—who lend their voices to the animated film as Smurfette, Papa Smurf, and Hefty Smurf—come together as part of the #SmallSmurfsBigGoals campaign, which is designed to encourage young people around the world to learn about and support the 17 Sustainable Development Goals adopted by world leaeders at the United Nations in 2015.

 

Today we welcomed the Smurfs to #UnitedNations Headquarters in #NYC! The blue UN supporters joined actors and voice artists in the movie "Smurfs: The Lost Village" Demi Lovato /@ddlovato (Smurfette), @JoeManganiello (Hefty) and @MandyPatinkin (Papa Smurf) and hundreds of young people for a special event to mark Monday's International Day of Happiness. #TeamSmurfs is helping to make the world a happier place by supporting the #GlobalGoals for Sustainable Development, which were adopted by countries at the United Nations to end poverty, reduce inequality and tackle climate change by 2030. ????: UN Social Media Team #SmallSmurfsBigGoals

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Mar 18, 2017 at 10:42am PDT

These goals include decent work for all, access to nutritious food, quality education and health services, freedom from discrimination, and giving everyone a chance to enjoy peace, prosperity and happiness.

“We hope the campaign will help us all think about how our actions impact the planet... Every one of us, even a Small Smurf, can accomplish big goals,” said Lovato.

Veronica Culliford, the daughter Smurfs creator Peyo, added, “Since 1958, the Smurfs have embodied around the world the universal values of camaraderie, helping one another, tolerance, optimism, and respecting Mother Nature.”

“It’s been an honor and privilege for The Smurfs to support the United Nations and to continue our longstanding relationship with UNICEF with this campaign focused on raising awareness for the Sustainable Development Goals,” she said.

To inspire the younger generation, the celebration also included a recognition for three young advocates: 20-year-old Karan Jerath, who invented a containment device that could prevent offshore oil spill and ensure protection of marine life; 17-year-old Sarina Divan, who expanded a UN Foundation girl empowerment intiative at her high school and beyond; and 17-year-old UNICED blogger and advocate Noor Samee, who continue to challenge social justice issues and raise awareness of the Sustainable Development Goals.

“This inspirational campaign highlights the fact that each and every one of us, no matter how young or old, small or big, can make our world a happier place,” said Cristina Gallach, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Communications and the Department of Public Information.

The International Day of Happiness was also celebrated in 18 countries, including Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Russia, and the United Kingdom by raising awareness for the Sustainable Development Goals through the #SmallSmurfsBigGoals campaign.

As culmination to the event, the Empire State Building will “turn blue” on Monday, March 20. — Bianca Rose Dabu/BM, GMA News