Calle 13, UNICEF, MTV Latin America and Tr3s Launch "MTV EXIT" - a Multimedia Campaign to Raise Awareness Around Human Trafficking and Exploitation in Latin America

USA - English

• Latin America - español

NEW YORK, Nov. 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Nineteen-time Latin Grammy winners Calle 13 joined forces with UNICEF, MTV Latin America and Tr3s: MTV, Musica y Mas today to launch the MTV EXIT (End Exploitation and Trafficking) campaign within Latin American and US Hispanic communities. The multi-media campaign aims to reach Spanish-speaking youth in Latin America and the US to increase awareness and prevention around human trafficking and exploitation through creative content, digital media interaction, community events and opportunities for direct participation. www.mtvexit.org/la

Lured by false promises offering opportunities for a better life, at least 550,000* children, adolescents and youth have become victims of trafficking in Latin America and the Caribbean; often forced into unsafe sexual practices and drug use, they are at a heightened risk of contracting HIV. 

"Youth is our future and we need to educate them not exploit them," said Residente de Calle 13. "We are thrilled to be supporting this campaign and look forward to working with MTV and UNICEF to address other related issues like education," He added. 

"Increasingly adolescents and young people are vulnerable to being trafficked and exploited in the region. We can reduce the risks they are exposed to if we provide them with the necessary education and tools to protect themselves," said UNICEF Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, Bernt Aasen. "The partnership that launches today with Calle 13, MTV Latin America and Tr3s -- key cultural references for young people -- allows us to reach millions of potential victims by communicating with them directly, using their language."

Since 2004, MTV EXIT has produced award-winning media components on the issue of human trafficking through influential music, film, and celebrities, and distributed innovative and creative content in over 40 languages to youth audiences, throughout Asia and Europe. Calle 13 joins a powerful list of celebrities including Angelina Jolie, The Killers, Radiohead, Muse, Jered Leto and Lucy Lui, who have all produced innovative content to amplify MTV EXIT's powerful message about modern day slavery. Residente and Visitante host a documentary to address how this global issue is affecting Latin America.  The documentary will include first-hand interviews with young Latin Americans who have been affected by trafficking and exploitation. Calle 13 also donated the rights of Preparame la Cena, a song from their most recent award-winning album Entren los que Quieran, for the music video for the campaign

"If we can use the power of our brands to promote human rights and bring this issue of trafficking and exploitation to light in the media, we will take an important step forward in raising awareness and protecting youth," said Mario Cader-Frech, Vice President, Public Affairs and Corporate Social Responsibility for MTV Latin America & Tr3s.

UNICEF is actively working to prevent trafficking and exploitation in Latin America and the Caribbean, mainly with support from the Italian Government. Protecting children begins with prevention. UNICEF and its partners address the root causes of trafficking, essential in the fight against this global crime.

The MTV EXIT campaign will continue to expand in Latin America through mass media broadcasts, local events and activities with children, adolescents and youth. Other partners, such as PADF (Pan American Development Foundation) and the IDB (Interamerican Development Bank) will join the initiative in upcoming projects.

*Source: "Every Child Counts New Global Estimates on Child Labour,": IPEC—SIMPOC.2002:27.

For more information, please visit:  www.mtvexit.org/la
Follow us on:  Facebook -- MTVExitla and Twitter @MTVExitla 

Viacom International Media Networks The Americas, a unit of Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), owns and operates the company's portfolio of entertainment brands which include MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, VH1, and their respective properties in Spanish speaking Latin America as well as Viacom Networks Brazil. Additionally, the portfolio includes Tr3s: MTV, Musica0020y Mas in the US, which targets a broad US Hispanic audience, and MTV Networks International's programming partnerships in Canada with Corus Entertainment for Nickelodeon and CTV Globe Media for MTV, Comedy Central and Vh1. The company's emerging multiplatform businesses include RED Viacom with 20 Music, Kids & Family, Tweens, Gamers and Entertainment websites as well as the high definition offer with MTV Live HD, NickelodeonHD and VH1HD throughout Latin America. VIMN The Americas also serves the growing number of digitally connected consumers via its websites: mtvla.com, mundonick.com, comedycentral.la, comedycentral.com.br, vh1la.com, vh1brasil.com.br, tr3s.com,  mtv.ca and nickcanada.com as well as through its broadband and community sites: mtvrevolution.com, mundonick.com/nickturbo, mtvmusica.com, neopets.com and mtvdemo.com.

About UNICEF
UNICEF is on the ground in over 150 countries and territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence.  The world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS.  UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and governments. For more information about UNICEF and its work visit: www.unicef.org.

SOURCE Tr3s: MTV, Musica y Mas