The International Centre for Missing & Exploited Children (ICMEC), a non-profit organization that advocates, trains and collaborates with global partners to protect children from abduction, sexual abuse and exploitation, will host the 2016 Gala for Child Protection: Building Safer Childhoods on Thursday, May 5 at 6 p.m. at Gotham Hall in New York City. The second annual gala will honor Eli and Edye Broad and Motorola Solutions Foundation for their extraordinary efforts to make a significant impact on the lives of children worldwide. Chairman of Diageo plc and former Chairman of Roche Holding Ltd, Dr. Franz Humer, will chair the night’s festivities. Internationally celebrated American artists and 2015 Honorees Jeff and Justine Koons will serve as Honorary Co-Chairs. Former contestant on NBC’s The Voice, Matthew Schuler, will perform.

"We are excited to bring ICMEC supporters together again to help raise awareness around the issues we address,” said Ambassador Maura Harty, the President and CEO of ICMEC. “Our donors play a critical role in the work we do to protect children around the world."

Eli and Edye Broad will receive ICMEC’s Champion for Children Award. The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation has supported ICMEC for more than a decade.  Eli and Edye Broad are dedicated philanthropists whose generosity and support have significantly impacted ICMEC’s work through The Koons Family Institute of International Law & Policy, the organization’s research arm. Most recently, through supporting the redesign of ICMEC’s website, the Broads have enabled ICMEC to transform the way it provides critical information to international partners on child abduction, sexual abuse and exploitation.

“ICMEC’s research, advocacy and training is critical to ensuring the protection and safety of children worldwide,” said Eli and Edye Broad. “Our dear friends, Jeff and Justine Koons, introduced us to ICMEC nearly 14 years ago. We are proud to join them and ICMEC in their mission to make the world a safer place for children.”

The Motorola Solutions Foundation (MSF) will receive the Global Impact for Child Protection Award. Since 2010, MSF has partnered with ICMEC to enhance law enforcement and non-governmental organization responses to reports of missing and abducted children. Their support has allowed ICMEC to expand the Global Missing Children’s Network (GMCN) by hosting roundtables globally; convening annual GMCN conferences to share best practices and strengthen member relationships; and coordinating a unified, global message for International Missing Children’s Day.

"Motorola Solutions Foundation is proud to support ICMEC's mission and honored to be a partner in its work around the world,” says Matt Blakely, Executive Director, Motorola Solutions Foundation. “We work to forge strong community partnerships and foster innovation to help protect children worldwide." 

Proceeds from this fundraising gala will be directly invested in The Global Impact Fund. For ticket information, please visit the event website at www.icmec.org/gala-for-child-protection