Queen Rania calls on music world to support 1GOAL education campaign

She made the call in New York during the launch of VEVO, a new, premium music video and entertainment site, powered by Google Inc.'s YouTube, and co-owned by Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment and Abu Dhabi Media.

As Universal and Sony unveiled the New York- based music hub, set to transform online access to music videos and related content, Her Majesty attended the VEVO premiere as a global education advocate and staunch defender of children's rights.

Determined to rally the energy, power and creativity of music to help transform the state of global education, Queen Rania stated that 75 million children -- almost four times the population of New York State -- are still being denied "the education that is their birthright".

Addressing over 500 music fans, CEOs and artists, Queen Rania called for action, according to a statement released by Her Majesty's office.

"We need people power. VEVO power. We've seen how music unites people in the past. From Band Aid to Live Aid, Live 8 to Live Earth. Tonight, I want all of you to unite for global education, because, for 75 million boys and girls, the game is on the line."

As co-founder and global co-chairperson of the 1GOAL campaign, whose partners include FIFA and the Global Campaign for Education, Her Majesty also highlighted what the campaign is doing to make education for all a reality.

Sub-Saharan Africa is home to over half the world's out of school children, and with millions of eyes on the South Africa 2010 World Cup, Queen Rania noted the opportunity to spotlight the importance of education in an unprecedented way.

She told the crowd that 1GOAL is harnessing the passion of footballers and football fans across the world, many of whom have already signed their names on a virtual petition at www.join1goal.org. The campaign asks world leaders to fulfil their education pledges and live up to their financial promises to get every child into school by 2015.

Encouraging music fans to follow suit, Her Majesty said: "Let's unite the magic of music, the magnitude of social media and the power of the advertising world, with the momentum of the soccer World Cup. Let's join with VEVO and 1GOAL and take this petition platinum."

In practical terms, the Queen noted that getting all children in developing countries into primary school, would take $11 billion per year -- a sum which might seem daunting, but is, in fact, equivalent to what fans spent downloading music onto their mobile phones in 2008.

Highlighting the value of education as a pathway to growth, a boost to public health and a stepping stone towards peace, Queen Rania concluded: "Let's remind politicians that education is not a luxury to be rationed to some, but a right to be enjoyed by all."

The 1GOAL campaign, which kicked off in Wembley Stadium, London, in August this year, has attracted a large number of political heavyweights as well as sports stars and celebrities.

They include UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, Ghanaian President John Atta Mills, South African President Jacob Zuma, FIFA President Sepp Blatter, Bono, Mia Hamm, Nicole Kidman, John Mayer, Rio Ferdinand and Gary Lineker amongst others.

Doug Morris, chairman and CEO of UMG/co-chairman and founder of VEVO; Rolf Schmidt Holtz, chairman and CEO of Sony Music Entertainment/co-chairman of VEVO; Elio Leoni-Sceti, CEO of EMI Music; Eric Schmidt, chairman and CEO of Google; and Rio Caraeff, VEVO president and CEO were also present at the launch.

Chart-topping recording artists Lady Gaga and Adam Lambert performed at the event, while rapper 50 Cent and Mariah Carey premiered their latest videos. Hitmaker Rihanna also attended the launch.

VEVO is set to become a central hub for videos "that enhance the music experience for fans", stated Caraeff. He went on to note that currently, video streams of Sony, Universal and EMI, whose content is also included on VEVO, comprise tens of millions of hits every month on YouTube, users who will now transfer to VEVO.

With Universal and other record labels making their wide-ranging music catalogue available online, VEVO will offer fans unparalleled access to music videos, related content and programming. The service will also serve as a syndication platform for other sites, the statement said.

VEVO will also display lyrics, enable fans to chat, feature concert footage, and post interviews, allowing partners to decide how music is viewed online, and generate revenue from advertising simultaneously.

VEVO became accessible in the US and Canada as of December 8, and made its debut with 15,000 music videos. It is scheduled to launch globally next year.

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