Zug, Switzerland (September, 2010) - The Hear the World Foundation held a charity gala in Berlin on October 16. In aid of the Hear the World Foundation, a global campaign on behalf of people suffering from hearing loss, there was an auction of original portraits of high-profile Hear the World ambassadors like Mick Jagger, Lenny Kravitz and Diane Kruger - photographed by singer and Hear the World photographer Bryan Adams. The event included the inaugural Hear the World awards, presented to individuals who have made an outstanding contribution in the fields of hearing and hearing loss. The evening's events took place in the presence of the Foundation's Patron, Princess Mafalda of Hesse, with musical performances by world renowned violinist and Hear the World ambassador Charlie Siem, along with singing sensation Charlie Winston. A special appearance was also made by Jade Jagger, who auctioned off the portrait of her father, Mick.
The Hear the World Foundation works worldwide promoting equal opportunities and an enhanced quality of life for people with hearing loss. The Foundation undertakes a financial commitment as well as providing hearing aids to those in need. It is particularly active in assisting projects designed to support children with hearing loss to allow them to develop at an appropriate level for their age.
Global stars representing the Hear the World Foundation
Singer and photographer Bryan Adams has been supporting Hear the World right from the start. Since 2006, he has photographed over 40 international stars in the pose synonymous with conscious hearing, with one hand cupped behind their ear. In 2008, a two-week exhibition of these portraits in Berlin was very well received. The photos are now returning to the German capital and were to be auctioned off at the charity gala. Among the portraits to be auctioned are those of Annie Lennox, Bryan Adams, Diane Kruger, Elle Macpherson, Franka Potente, Jerry Hall, Lenny Kravitz and Mick Jagger.
The original portraits of world-famous Hear the World ambassadors will be auctioned off for a good cause. Copyright by Bryan Adams
In the presence of the Foundation's Patron, Princess Mafalda of Hesse, donations totaled EUR 50'000 (close to $70,000), which will be directly assigned to projects for children with hearing loss. Hear the World supports children all over the world with hearing instruments, speech therapy and regular care and support to allow them the same opportunities for development as their peers.
The Hear the World Awards
A further highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Hear the World awards in the Prevention and Solutions categories to individuals who have made an outstanding contribution in the fields of hearing and hearing loss. The Prevention category honors those who have been outstanding in their work on the protection of hearing and prevention of hearing loss. The award in the Solutions category is intended for someone who has made a special contribution toward the long-term improvement of the quality of life for people with hearing loss.
The first ever Hear the World Awards went to:
- Dr. Brigitte Schulte-Fortkamp (Prevention Category winner): Developer of the Tag gegen Lärm anti-noise day campaign. Since 1997, one day every year has been dedicated to all things related to the theme of noise - with campaigns, events and media coverage designed to raise awareness taking place throughout Germany. Thanks to Prof. Dr. Schulte-Fortkamp, the Tag gegen Lärm day has established itself as a firm fixture on the calendar each year and attracts the attention of a wide audience.
- Dr. Annette Leonhardt honored (Solutions Category winner): Prof. Dr. Annette Leonhardt, has been rewarded for her outstanding work in relation to the integration of children and young people with hearing loss into regular schooling. As the Professor of Education for the Deaf and Hearing-impaired at Munich's Ludwig-Maximilian University, Prof. Leonhardt has spent more than ten years concentrating on the integration of children and young people with hearing loss at school and pre-school levels. One notable result of her work is the most comprehensive study into the integration of schoolchildren with hearing loss across the whole of Germany.
- Joey McIntyre (Support Category winner): The American singer, best known as a member of the band "New Kids on the Block," broke a taboo in spring 2010 when he spoke openly in the international media about his son's hearing loss. His youngest son, Rhys Edward, was born in December 2009 with severe congenital hearing loss. By dealing openly with the subject of hearing loss, Joey McIntyre has reassured many parents all over the world who find themselves in a similar situation, thus making a significant contribution toward dispelling the stigma surrounding this topic.
The event in the Berlin Ritz Carlton unfolded in the presence of our Patron, Princess Mafalda of Hesse, with presenter Annabelle Mandeng leading the assembled guests through the evening's agenda. In a special highlight, the portrait of Mick Jagger was auctioned off by his daughter, Jade. Sotheby's Dr. Philipp Herzog von Württemberg was in charge of the auction. Those keen to test their hearing ability also had the opportunity to do so by taking a quick hearing test. Musical accompaniment will be provided by Hear the World ambassador Charlie Siem and Charlie Winston.
You can also find more photos from the event at www.facebook.com/#!/album.php?aid=296881&id=71459517323.
About the Hear the World Foundation
The Hear the World Foundation is committed to improving quality of life and promoting equal opportunities for people with hearing loss globally. To achieve this, the Hear the World Foundation provides financial funds, hearing aids and assistive listening technology. The Foundation has a special focus on projects that support children, helping them reach developmental milestones and realize their full potential in life, regardless of their hearing loss.
For more information please visit www.hear-the-world.org, follow Hear the World on twitter.com/Hear_The_World and become a Fan on www.facebook.com/CanYouHearTheWorld.
