We knew that already, but this press release we just got is further confirmation…If any Slamonline readers are in DC go check out the event.
Chicago Bulls’ Luol Deng to receive UNHCR Humanitarian Award
WASHINGTON, June 16 (UNHCR) – Chicago Bull’s forward, Luol Deng, has been selected as the 2008 recipient of the UN Refugee Agency’s Humanitarian of the Year Award. The award is in recognition of Deng’s support of UNHCR’s ninemillion.org campaign to bring education and sports to millions of displaced children. Deng, himself a former refugee from south Sudan, will receive the award at the agency’s annual World Refugee Day commemoration to be held in Washington on June 20th.
Earlier this year, Deng, pledged to donate US$50 to ninemillion.org for every basket he scored and in a public service announcement he recorded in support of the campaign he urged his fans to support his efforts to improve the lives of young refugees.
“I am honored to receive the UNHCR’s ‘Humanitarian of the Year’ Award,” said Luol Deng. “Giving back is important to me. The ninemillion.org campaign is a cause that is very close to my heart, and I am committed to helping refugees make a new life for themselves.”
The eighth annual World Refugee Day event will be held at noon on Friday June 20th at the National Geographic Museum. Under this year’s theme, “Refugee Rights are Human Rights”, the event will also feature Daoud Hari, author of the acclaimed memoir The Translator, which chronicles his life as a refugee from Darfur and his work with international journalists to increase awareness of the crisis. National Public Radio correspondent Deborah Amos will address the Iraqi refugee emergency. Author Farah Ahmedi will speak of her experiences as an Afghan refugee, while a Thimothy Ju, who was featured in the MTV show True Life: I’m Coming to America, will tell of his life growing up in a refugee camp in Thailand before recently being resettled to the United States.
The speaking event will be followed by a screening of the Academy Award nominated documentary War/Dance and a question and answer session with the film makers.
Venue: National Geographic Museum, Grosvenor Auditorium, 17th and M St., NW, Washington, DC.
Time: noon-1pm: speakers’ event. 1pm-2:30pm film screening
Free and open to the public
