(New York, March 14, 2006) - On May 20, 2006, Her Royal Highness The Princess of Hanover will be honored with the Children's Champion Award by the New England Chapter of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF (www.unicefusa.org) in recognition of Her longstanding dedication to helping the world's children, in particular in Her capacity as President of AMADE Mondiale (World Association of Children's Friends).

AMADE, an acronym for the French, Association Mondiale des Amis de l'Enfance (www.amade-mondiale.org), was established in 1963 by H.S.H. Princess Grace of Monaco as a non-profit child-advocacy NGO to promote and protect the rights of the children of the world through humanitarian aid programs and now boasts 23 branches across the globe. The Princess of Hanover was named President in 1993 and Her brother, His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco, serves as Honorary President and is an active fundraiser and supporter.

Headquartered in Monaco, AMADE has become an internationally recognized nongovernmental organization granted consultative status with UNICEF, UNESCO and the United Nations Economic Social Council and participative status with the Council of Europe. The organization develops humanitarian aid programs through a network of local organizations in Africa, Asia, Europe and South America. In developing countries, aid programs are established to fight poverty and malnutrition and strive to provide children with healthcare and opportunities for basic education.

"AMADE remains strongly committed to promoting the inalienable rights of the child as we believe there can be no other path to building a harmonious and prosperous society," said the Princess of Hanover.

Working tirelessly to meet new challenges presented by war, violence, drugs and crime, the Princess plays an active role in the organization's global initiatives to protect and promote the rights of children.

In 2004, on the 5th anniversary of AMADE Philippines, She traveled there to observe first hand, the challenges and conditions faced by that country's youngest citizens. AMADE has supported the aid program for the children of Subic Bay and Clark Field in the Philippines and joined forces with Alliance Bases Clean Up (ABC) for the young victims of toxic waste contamination. AMADE provided financial support for urgent medical treatment for these children as well as for health and rehabilitation programs in these two areas.

"My hope is that tomorrow's children, whether in wealthy nations or not, will no longer be deprived of the fundamental rights to which every child is entitled," said AMADE Secretary-General Francis Kasasa. "AMADE not only hopes to improve the lives of children who are struggling today, but is also eager to offer their children a better word and better lives for tomorrow."

The 2006 Children's Champion Award is to be presented to H.R.H. the Princess of Hanover at a black-tie benefit dinner at Boston's Museum of Fine Arts, where She will be accompanied by Secretary-General Kasasa. Previous recipients of the Award include Nelson Mandela, Sir Roger Moore and H.M. Queen Noor of Jordan.


Source: Consulate General of Monaco in New York / Photo courtesy of AMADE Mondiale

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