People around the world get exclusive chance to ask Bill Gates about saving children’s lives
Sat, 11 Jun 2011 11:57 GMT
People around the world will have the chance to put their questions to Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, in an exclusive telephone interview on Sunday (12th) - the day before he helps to lead a global vaccine summit in London that could save millions of children’s lives.
Over the next 24 hours, people across the world are invited to submit questions for Mr. Gates on why so many of the poorest children still die because they can’t get the life-saving vaccines taken for granted in rich countries - and what needs to be done to save their lives.
They can then join Mr Gates in an exclusive telephone call on Sunday at 11.30am to hear some of their questions answered, just hours before leaders start gathering for the summit.
Broadcaster and Save the Children ambassador Natasha Kaplinksy will host the interview. Justin Forsyth, the charity’s chief executive, will also be taking questions.
Mr. Gates, UK Prime Minister David Cameron and President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf of Liberia are leading Monday’s summit of rich countries, vaccine manufacturers and others to try and plug a global £2.3 billion vaccine funding gap that is threatening the lives of millions of children.
Natasha Kaplinsky said: “This is an amazing opportunity for people across the world to ask Bill Gates about saving children’s lives, just before he heads into one of the most important global meetings of this decade. World leaders have an incredible opportunity to save four million children’s lives in just four hours, and people around the world can be part of this historic breakthrough. We have to stop children dying from illnesses as basic as pneumonia or diarrhoea.”
The Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI) is facing the shortfall for its global immunisation programme, which includes the roll out of two new vaccines against the two of the biggest child killers, pneumonia and diarrhoea.
Save the Children’s new report ‘Vaccines for All’ reveals that there are still around 24 million children – the world’s poorest children and those most vulnerable to disease – that have no access to vaccines. This could be changed – and even more children can be saved -- if GAVI gets the resources it needs, it says.
To put your question to Bill Gates or simply join the call on 12th June at 11.30am, go to: http://www.savethechildren.org.uk/billgates
If you are outside the UK, please contact s.jacobs@savethechildren.org.uk or call +44 7831 650 409
Ends
For more information please contact the Save the Children media unit on 020 7831 650 509
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