© U.S. Fund for UNICEF

"Everyone deserves the best start in life, which is what UNICEF is working to provide the world's most vulnerable children.

Education is essential to a child's development. I hope that as an Ambassador I can encourage people to join UNICEF's mission to make education a reality for children throughout the world."

Clay Aiken was appointed UNICEF Ambassador in 2004.  He is particularly committed to supporting UNICEF's education programs.

Here is the latest on his efforts for the world's children.

In April 2007, Clay visited Afghanistan and launched the "$100,000 in 10 Days" campaign to support UNICEF's lifesaving programs in the country. While touring health centers and schools, the pop star spoke with children and women who are benefiting from the improved facilities. He was impressed by those he met and said that Afghanistan's greatest resource is its people.
Watch a video report about his trip: HIGH | LOW.

In January 2007, Clay launched UNICEF UpClose, an awareness-building campaign powered by Yahoo! Answers. The UpClose program is a new forum for discussing the challenges facing the world's most vulnerable children. Clay asked: "UNICEF is working for the survival of children worldwide. What can we do to get more Americans committed to the cause?"

In November 2006, Clay lit the UNICEF Snowflake for the 2006 holiday season. The UNICEF Snowflake is a dazzling crystal ornament which graces the intersection of Fifth Avenue and 57th Street in New York City during the holiday season as a beacon of hope, peace and compassion for vulnerable children around the world.

Moved by the plight of children caught in the July 2006 Middle East conflict, Clay encouraged his fans to support UNICEF's relief work in Lebanon. By way of fan sites and blogs on the world wide web, Clay's fans quickly raised over $70,000 to help provide lifesaving medicines and other emergency supplies for children in need.

During his 2005 winter tour, Clay visited four U.S. schools that participated in Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF and tsunami fundraising efforts.

Appointed national spokesperson for the 55th annual Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF campaign in 2005, Clay encouraged kids to bring along the famous orange boxes when venturing out for Halloween by recording public service announcements, in order to help raise funds for the world's most vulnerable children, including the young victims of Hurricane Katrina.  Listen here  (:30, MP3) (:60, MP3).

Clay traveled to northern Uganda in May 2005, to witness the phenomenon of "night commuters," children who trek from the countryside into slightly more secure towns and UNICEF-supported shelters every night to avoid being abducted by the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA).

Clay testified in April 2005, on behalf of UNICEF before the Subcommittee on Foreign Operations, Export Financing and Related Programs of the Committee on Appropriations, United States House of Representatives.

While touring Indonesia in March 2005, three months after the tsunami devastated vast areas of South Asia, Clay witnessed and participated in UNICEF programs that helped children reconnect with their families, provided care for orphans, allowed children to return to school and helped prevent the spread of disease. Watch a video about his trip: LOW | HIGH (1:07, Real Player).

Clay participated in the NBC4 telethon in January 2005, and recorded public service announcements in support of South Asia tsunami relief efforts.   Listen here (:30, MP3).

Clay recorded public service announcements in support of South Asia Tsunmai relief efforts.  Listen to the Kids Help Out PSA's.  LOW | HIGH (:30, Real Player)