-- Visit Will Provide Opportunity to Hear From Global Stakeholders and New Audiences on Issues of Child Protection

WASHINGTON, June 24, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Her Majesty Queen Silvia and Her Royal Highness Princess Madeleine of Sweden will travel to Washington, D.C. on June 25^th and 26^th to further the work of World Childhood Foundation ("Childhood").

Childhood, founded by Her Majesty Queen Silvia in 1999, works with community-based organizations to fund programs that prevent childhood abuse and exploitation; intervene in instances of abuse; educate and empower children; and provide a safe and loving environment for children at risk.

The trip will include visits to organizations working with child protection; a reception on Capitol Hill with stakeholders who work to improve the lives and health of children across the world; a panel discussion on child protection at the Embassy of Sweden; and the Thank You Festival, a concert created in partnership with The Global Poverty Project (GPP). The Festival will feature top-tier EDM artists, including long-time Childhood advocate Tiësto, and is designed to engage and activate socially-conscious youth on issues surrounding childhood survival and protection.

"This visit is an opportunity to bring World Childhood Foundation in front of global leaders and key influencers, and with the Thank You campaign to be able to bring the issue of child protection to an entirely new audience," said Charlotte Brandin, Executive Director for Childhood USA. For the last 15 years, Childhood has promoted Best Practices and replication of models, extending over $80 million to more than 600 projects helping children at risk around the world. "Our global footprint allows us to focus on prevention, intervention and education", continues Ms. Brandin, adding that  "everyone has a stake in ensuring that children everywhere have the opportunity and support to live happy, healthy, full lives."

The Embassy Luncheon on June 26^th will gather a number of representatives from U.S. and Swedish Government's global aid agencies, as well as foundations, and businesses. "This event presents us with the ability to highlight Childhood's work in the field for 15 years, and Her Majesty's commitment and stature in the area of child protection," said Anna De Geer, Childhood Secretary General, adding "we welcome these other leaders who are doing tremendous work to share their progress towards including child protection in the post-2015 UN agenda."

Childhood's Thank You campaign, championed by H.R.H. Princess Madeleine, works to expand awareness of child abuse and exploitation among millennial audiences. It was through this initiative that Childhood formed its partnership with GPP, an education and advocacy organization working to end extreme poverty. The Thank You Festival will focus attention on the world's children, asking leaders to both ensure children survive beyond their first years and have an opportunity to thrive throughout their childhood to reach their developmental potential.

Concertgoers will have many opportunities throughout the evening to learn more about Childhood's work. They can pose for photos (some of which will be displayed on screens on stage) while meeting with Childhood team members. Additionally, attendees can dedicate a song to a loved one at ThankYou.org and unlock a five-dollar donation in support of Childhood's work to protect children around the world.

WORLD CHILDHOOD FOUNDATION

World Childhood Foundation was founded in 1999 by Her Majesty Queen Silvia of Sweden. Today, it works globally to prevent abuse and exploitation of children through its four country offices in Sweden, Brazil, Germany, and the United States. The organization supports over 100 projects in 17 countries around the world, assisting children who are at risk of or are victims of abuse, children who are in alternative care, street children, and families at risk. The goal of Childhood is to help create a world where no child is exposed to a violent or damaging environment, but instead has the opportunity to grow up with memories of a safe and loving childhood. For more information, visit www.childhood-usa.org and childhood.org.

THANK YOU BY CHILDHOOD

Thank You by Childhood is World Childhood Foundation's global initiative with the goal of building greater awareness around the issue of abuse and exploitation of children and raising funds for Childhood's projects. Through Thank You, anyone can engage in making a difference for children by recognizing those who were supportive in their childhood and inspire people to be there for a child today. For more information visit www.thankyou.org.

THE GLOBAL POVERTY PROJECT

The Global Poverty Project is an international education and advocacy organization working to catalyze the movement to end extreme poverty by 2030. An Australian-grown project, The Global Poverty Project creates campaigns with the purpose of increasing the number and effectiveness of people taking action to end extreme poverty. Through The Global Poverty Project's The End of Polio campaign, over $750 million in new commitments have been contributed towards polio eradication, and the Live Below the Line campaign has included nearly 50,000 participants and raised more than $10 million for 70 charity partners across the globe. For more information, visit www.globalcitizen.org.

SOURCE World Childhood Foundation