English pages about Thomas Brezina

UNICEF Ambassador
Thomas Brezina as Austria’s UNICEF Ambassador

On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of UNICEF (the United Nations Children’s Fund), Thomas Brezina was appointed Austria’s UNICEF Ambassador in December 1996.

In this function, he now officially represents the children and all their issues, and he supports projects.

“I want to show the people what can be done, and why UNICEF is asking for donations, ” is how he describes his goals.
“Sympathy does not produce development. Anyone can help. Children are our present and our future. For me, this appointment as Austria’s UNICEF Ambassador was a great honour and a recognition of my work for children. Above all, it is a wonderful job to work for the projects and issues of UNICEF.

It is all about saving children’s lives, improving the lives of many children, and above all enhancing their position in society.
In many countries of the world, children are fighting for pure survival. They are affected doubly by poverty and the horrors of war, since they are involved without any blame on their part.
Every year, UNICEF saves the lives of millions of children with projects that go beyond all political and religious frontiers, and in which the colour of the skin plays no role whatsoever.
UNICEF also stands up for the rights of children, which have been ratified by almost all the countries in the world. However, these rights do not only have to be integrated in the national legislation, they must also become firmly established in the minds and hearts of the people.”

On numerous occasions and in many interviews, lectures and events in the past years, Thomas Brezina has stood up for an improvement in the position of children in our society. He engages himself for more respect for children, who will not only be brought up and educated, but also and primarily recognised as personalities with great potentials.
In all his activities and in his stories he pleads for a reinforcement of the children and their environment – in their entire personality, by teaching them “soft skills” like team spirit, the ability to handle conflicts, and the power to assert themselves.

UNICEF projects aimed at enabling former child soldiers to return to a normal life, e.g., and also school projects are very dear to him and have received his personal support.
Recently, he recorded a CD on which he explained the importance of children’s rights to children and also to adults in the form of various stories about children from all over the world. This CD is used in Austrian schools within the scope of a major UNICEF campaign.

back