Sharing the Giorgio Armani Fragrances Partnership on Capitol Hill
Securing clean water, sanitation, and hygiene for children are goals that require collaboration and coordination across many sectors.
by Marty Rendon, Vice President Public Policy and Advocacy
With passage of the landmark Water for the World Act at the end of the last Congress, attention in Washington is turning to implementation of that legislation to advance global clean water, sanitation, and hygiene. Organizations that are in the forefront of this effort met in the Russell Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill to discuss the progress that has been made and what needs to be done. They were joined by aides to some of the key Senators and Representatives who worked to enact the Water for the World Act.
This briefing provided us with an opportunity to share information with the policymakers about the U.S. Fund for UNICEF’s partnership with Giorgio Armani Fragrances to help provide funding for clean water for children. The legislators hear frequently from Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) about the benefits of clean water, sanitation, and hygiene, but the message about corporate engagement was a welcome addition to their understanding of the issues.
Pictured above, Krista Schmidt U.S. Fund Director of Corporate Partnerships, Marty Rendon Vice President of Public Policy and Advocacy, Kelly Thompson of Giorgio Armani Fragrances, Lauren Paige of L'Oreal USA.
Kelly Thompson, Vice President of Public Relations for Giorgio Armani Fragrances, walked the participants through the origins of the company’s partnership with the U.S. Fund for UNICEF and explained how Giorgio Armani Fragrances is supporting UNICEF through sponsorship of the UNICEF Tap Project mobile web app, a customer fundraising opportunity with an Acqua for Life Bracelet (which was made available to all the attendees), and a cause marketing campaign with their fragrances Acqua di Giò and Acqua di Gioia. It was a terrific opportunity for both Hill aides and the NGO water community to learn about Giorgio Armani Fragrances’ commitment to raising awareness and funding for this critical issue and brought home to the Hill audience the solid corporate commitment to clean water.
Other speakers talked about the policy issues and implementation of the Water for the World Act. Speaking on behalf of the Hill perspective was Jenifer Healy, Health Counsel and Professional Staff Member for Chairman Bob Corker (R-TN) of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Securing clean water, sanitation, and hygiene for children are goals that require collaboration and coordination across many sectors. The U.S. Fund for UNICEF’s partnership with Giorgio Armani Fragrances is an excellent example of what is needed to make these goals a reality for more children. Working together and joining with the Congress and the NGO community, we can put children first!
