WHO is launching a collaboration with R&B Vocalist Kim Sledge of “We Are Family” fame to reproduce her signature album in a campaign aimed to promote global solidarity for COVID-19, and raise funds to battle COVID-19.  

The campaign, which will be coordinated by The World We Want Foundation, is to feature a special edition cover of the classic song “We Are Family” in a worldwide viral video that would include versions of the song by people ranging from  celebrities to frontline health heroes, political leaders and members of the public  – singing together to support global public health needs, including COVID-19. 

“Together we are unity strong, and we can do this as a family because we are one big global family,” Sledge, of the legendary music group Sister Sledge, said, speaking at a WHO press conference on Monday. Sledge said that she embarked on this initiative after being motivated by those around her who are looking for ways to end the crisis, including her husband and daughter, who both work as doctors on the COVID-19 frontlines. 

The video campaign invites people to star in the music video by recording themselves with their close family and friends singing the song and sharing on their social media channels. In order to submit sing-along videos to the special edition of the We Are Family song, members of the public can:

• Record yourself singing We Are Family either alone, or with friends and family, whilst observing physical distancing guidelines.
• Share the video on your favourite social media channel, with the hashtag #WeAreFamily #COVID19 #HealthforAll and tag @WHO, @The_WorldWeWant and @thewhof.
• Upload your video to www.unitystrong.com.
• If you want your video to be considered for inclusion in the global We Are Family video, you will need to share your video by Monday, 30 November 2020.
• Video clips will be selected based on age, geographical diversity, and appropriate physical distancing if the video includes groups of people beyond immediate family members and correct handwashing if singing along to the song while washing hands.
• More details including Terms & Conditions can be found here www.unitystrong.com. 

Part of the proceeds from the new song, to be released on November 9, are to be donated to the WHO Foundation to support the response to COVID-19, as well as to other health promotion initiatives worldwide. 

Video Release To Coincide With World Health Assembly Autumn Session  

The release will coincide with the resumption of the 73rd session of the World Health Assembly, November 9-14. The WHA began in a two-day special virtual session in May to discuss the COVID-19 crisis, and then was adjourned until the autumn. 

Sledge is also scheduled to perform for the WHA alongside singers from New York to Tonga. 

Sledge is collaborating with Natasha Mudhar, founder of The World We Want Foundation, and another driving force behind the #WeAreFamily campaign. 

Said Mudhar: “We Are Family is one of the most instantly recognizable anthems in the world. The song carries such an inspiring message of unity and solidarity.

“What is so powerful about music and what we feel will be so powerful about this particular campaign, the song, and the video is that it will not only just entertain, but inspire action. And that’s just really bringing everybody together.”  

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of the World Health Organization, emphasizes in his closing remarks, “This campaign is more than a song. It’s a call to action for collaboration and kindness, and the reminder of the strength of family and the importance of coming together to help others in times of need. 

“It represents that to heal the world from this pandemic, we must come together like never before in national unity and global solidarity with a family, and as humankind. We have more in common with one another, than we would ever dare to believe.” This comes after his announcement that 184 countries have now joined the COVAX initiative, Ecuador and Paraguay having joined this weekend. Tedros reiterated the importance of sharing vaccines equitably around the world by safeguarding high risk populations and working together to share life-saving health supplies globally. 

“Let us use this anthem as a family, to help unite us, unite the world, and together, we wouldn’t just beat this pandemic. We will take on, and successfully tackle other global challenges like air pollution and the climate crisis. So join us in the We Are One Family campaign. Because together we can do anything we put our minds to: national unity and global solidarity. We are one family.”

Image Credits: R Santos/HP Watch.