Anthony Lake Begins Tenure as UNICEF's Executive Director

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May 01, 2010, 12:01 ET

NEW YORK, May 1 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Anthony Lake today begins his tenure as UNICEF's sixth Executive Director, bringing more than 45 years of public and international service to the position. "I am excited to be joining UNICEF. I look forward to working with our exceptional staff and our many partners to advance children's rights around the world," Mr. Lake remarked on his first day in office.

Mr. Lake was appointed by UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, following consultations with UNICEF's Executive Board. On announcing the appointment on March 16, 2010, the Secretary-General noted that Mr. Lake brings with him "a wealth of experience after a long and distinguished career with the United States Government."

Mr. Lake has worked with leaders and policy makers across the world. As National Security Advisor (1993 - 1997) under President Bill Clinton, and as State Department Director of Policy Planning in the Carter administration (1977 - 1981), he managed the full range of foreign policy, national security, and humanitarian and development issues. In 2007-2008, he served as a senior foreign policy advisor to the presidential campaign of Barack Obama.

His commitment to peace and security are hallmarks of his career. After leaving government in 1997, he served as the United States President's Special Envoy, to Haiti as well as Ethiopia and Eritrea. His efforts, for which he received the 2000 White House Samuel Nelson Drew Award, contributed to the achievement of the Algiers Agreement that ended the war between Ethiopia and Eritrea. He also played a leading role in shaping policies that led to peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Northern Ireland.

"Peace and security are the foundation of a world fit for children. Wars not only kill children – they breed disease and destroy economic hope. And in the end, real peace is not found in a piece of diplomatic paper. It is found in the secure and healthy lives of girls and boys. If we improve their lives today, we help them inherit a better tomorrow," said Mr. Lake.

Mr. Lake has broad experience in international development and children's rights through ongoing work with non-governmental organizations spanning four decades. During that time, he led International Voluntary Services, acted as an advisor to the International Committee of the Red Cross, and was a board member of Save the Children and the Overseas Development Council.

He is a strong supporter of the Millennium Declaration and Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). "At their heart, the Millennium Development goals are about giving the world's most vulnerable children a better chance to reach their full potential -- whether it's improving maternal and child health, increasing gender parity in education, or eradicating hunger. We've got a lot of urgent work ahead, leading up to, and beyond, the 2015 MDG targets we've set for ourselves. And I believe we can do it -- with political commitment, sound strategies, adequate investment and the engagement of a global community," said Mr. Lake.

Mr. Lake's ties with UNICEF are long-standing. He served for nine years on the Board of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF, including as Chair of the Board from 2004 to 2007. Under his chairmanship, the U.S. Fund saw a significant increase in funding and undertook a transition in personnel and mission.

"In Tony, the world's children have a true champion and a tireless advocate," said President and CEO of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF Caryl M. Stern. "It was a pleasure and honor to collaborate with him in the years he served on the U.S. Fund for UNICEF's board. His leadership and dedication to the mission of UNICEF is invaluable."

A graduate of Harvard College and Princeton University with a Ph.D. from the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, Mr. Lake served as Distinguished Professor in the Practice of Diplomacy at Georgetown University in Washington, DC immediately prior to his appointment at UNICEF. His strong commitment to education is reflected in his prior membership on the boards of several U.S. academic institutions, including Mount Holyoke College.

He is married and has three children and five grandchildren.

About UNICEF

UNICEF has saved more children's lives than any other humanitarian organization in the world. Working in over 150 countries, UNICEF provides children with health care, clean water, nutrition, education, emergency relief, and more. The U.S. Fund for UNICEF supports UNICEF's work through fundraising, advocacy, and education in the United States.

UNICEF is at the forefront of efforts to reduce child mortality worldwide. There has been substantial progress -- the annual number of under-five deaths dropped from 13 million in 1990 to 8.8 million in 2008. But still, 24,000 children die each day from preventable causes. Our mission is to do whatever it takes to make that number zero by giving children the essentials for a safe and healthy childhood. For more information, visit www.unicefusa.org.

SOURCE U.S. Fund for UNICEF