Over US$ 1 million raised at third ‘One Night to Change Lives’ charity event held at Dubai’s Armani Hotel
Dubai, UAE; December 12, 2013: It was a night of film stars and philanthropy at the Armani Hotel in Dubai as the Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) unfurled the red carpet for ‘One Night to Change Lives’, the annual glittering gala fundraiser in aid of UAE-based philanthropic organization, Dubai Cares, and world-wide development organization, Oxfam. A host of international stars, led by Mark Ruffalo, Rooney Mara and Naomie Harris, turned out to support the charity event, raising a total of over US$ 1 million from its much-awaited auction that featured exclusive experiences and prized collectibles, including treasured James Bond memorabilia.
Successfully staged for the third consecutive year, the charity auction and gala dinner were held under the patronage of UN Messenger of Peace HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein, wife of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, at the Armani Hotel in Dubai. All proceeds from last night went to Dubai Cares and Oxfam to support their work responding to the current crisis in Syria.
A stellar line-up
The stellar line-up of celebrities who came to support the fundraiser emphasized the urgency of the appeal as they conducted the exclusive auction of ‘money can’t buy' experiences and highly-coveted items. Oxfam Ambassador Mark Ruffalo conducted the auction for one of the exclusive experiences up for grabs, two tickets to the world premiere of Captain America: The Winter Soldier, which was donated by fellow Oxfam supporter Scarlett Johansson. “Scarlett has donated this incredible prize because she has travelled with Oxfam and met refugees from other crises herself and always supports this event,” Ruffalo said as he urged the audience for bids.
Other celebrities who also supported the evening were Naomie Harris and Lindiwe Matshikiza, stars of Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom; The Living Daylights actress Maryam D’Abo; DJ and Bond actor Goldie; and Bollywood stars Arjun Rampal and Rahul Bose, an Oxfam Global Ambassador. Main lots featured in the auction included the one-of-a-kind James Bond themed Aston Martin Vanquish; exclusive tickets to the next Bond world premiere; a selection of iconic memorabilia from Bond films throughout the years; and, Abolfazl Lireh’s and Afsaneh Taebi’s paintings donated by the Farjam Foundation.
Oxfam's Syria Appeal
Funds raised from the night would go to support works by Dubai Cares and Oxfam benefiting Syrian displaced children and their families in Lebanon (Tripoli and surrounding areas) and Jordan (Balqa and Zarqa governorates) by providing them with basic supplies during the three months of winter, the harshest period of the year, composed of shelter; food assistance; Water, Sanitation and Hygiene facilities; winter clothing; and children’s education packages. This assistance is crucial to the refugee children and their families who live in informal tented communities.
Donate to Oxfam's Syria Appeal
Notes to editors
About DIFF
The Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) is the leading film festival in the region. Since its inception in 2004, the festival has served as an influential platform for Arab filmmakers and talent at an international level, by spearheading the cinema movement in the region. The 10th edition of DIFF is set to take place between December 6 – 14, 2013.
Dubai International Film Festival supports Expo 2020 Dubai Bid, UAE, is presented by The Investment Corporation of Dubai and held in association with Dubai Studio City. Dubai Duty Free, Emirates Airline and Madinat Jumeirah, home to the Dubai International Film Festival, are the principal sponsors of DIFF. The Festival is supported by the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Award and IWC Schaffhausen. For more and updated information about DIFF, please visit www.diff.ae.
About Dubai Cares
Founded in 2007 by HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Dubai Cares is dedicated to improving access to quality primary education for children in developing countries by eliminating the underlying obstacles that prevent children from going to school and learning. This is achieved through building and renovating schools and classrooms, improving water, sanitation and hygiene in schools, providing school feeding, deworming activities, early childhood education, as well as teacher training, curriculum development, literacy and numeracy. Currently, Dubai Cares’ primary education programs, implemented in partnership with international and local NGOs, are reaching more than 8 million children in 31 developing countries.
Today, Dubai Cares is a global organization contributing to setting the post-2015 Development Agenda. In September 2012, the UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon, selected Dubai Cares to be a member in the Technical Advisory Group of the ‘Global Education First Initiative’ at its launch during the 67th Session of the United Nations General Assembly. Also in September 2013, Dubai Cares participated in a series of meetings during the 68th Session of the United Nations General Assembly which have given us the opportunity to exchange opinions and hold discussions with bilateral, international and regional organizations on global economic and social development.
About Oxfam
One person in three in the world lives in poverty. Oxfam is determined to change that world by mobilizing the power of people against poverty. Around the globe, Oxfam works to find practical, innovative ways for people to lift themselves out of poverty and thrive. We save lives and help rebuild livelihoods when crisis strikes. And we campaign so that the voices of the poor influence the local and global decisions that affect them. In all we do, Oxfam works with partner organizations and alongside vulnerable women and men to end the injustices that cause poverty.
Contact information
Sophie Bowell, Oxfam Press Officer, t +44 (0) 1865 472254, m +44 (0) 7810 814 980
skype: sophie_oxfam
twitter: @sophbow
About DIFF
The Dubai International Film Festival (DIFF) is the leading film festival in the region. Since its inception in 2004, the festival has served as an influential platform for Arab filmmakers and talent at an international level, by spearheading the cinema movement in the region. The 10th edition of DIFF is set to take place between December 6 – 14, 2013.
Dubai International Film Festival supports Expo 2020 Dubai Bid, UAE, is presented by The Investment Corporation of Dubai and held in association with Dubai Studio City. Dubai Duty Free, Emirates Airline and Madinat Jumeirah, home to the Dubai International Film Festival, are the principal sponsors of DIFF. The Festival is supported by the Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Award and IWC Schaffhausen. For more and updated information about DIFF, please visit www.diff.ae.
About Dubai Cares
Founded in 2007 by HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Dubai Cares is dedicated to improving access to quality primary education for children in developing countries by eliminating the underlying obstacles that prevent children from going to school and learning. This is achieved through building and renovating schools and classrooms, improving water, sanitation and hygiene in schools, providing school feeding, deworming activities, early childhood education, as well as teacher training, curriculum development, literacy and numeracy. Currently, Dubai Cares’ primary education programs, implemented in partnership with international and local NGOs, are reaching more than 8 million children in 31 developing countries.
Today, Dubai Cares is a global organization contributing to setting the post-2015 Development Agenda. In September 2012, the UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon, selected Dubai Cares to be a member in the Technical Advisory Group of the ‘Global Education First Initiative’ at its launch during the 67th Session of the United Nations General Assembly. Also in September 2013, Dubai Cares participated in a series of meetings during the 68th Session of the United Nations General Assembly which have given us the opportunity to exchange opinions and hold discussions with bilateral, international and regional organizations on global economic and social development.
About Oxfam
One person in three in the world lives in poverty. Oxfam is determined to change that world by mobilizing the power of people against poverty. Around the globe, Oxfam works to find practical, innovative ways for people to lift themselves out of poverty and thrive. We save lives and help rebuild livelihoods when crisis strikes. And we campaign so that the voices of the poor influence the local and global decisions that affect them. In all we do, Oxfam works with partner organizations and alongside vulnerable women and men to end the injustices that cause poverty.
Sophie Bowell, Oxfam Press Officer, t +44 (0) 1865 472254, m +44 (0) 7810 814 980
skype: sophie_oxfam
twitter: @sophbow
