UNICEF will again be a valuable co-production partner providing editorial material to highlight the topic of "Water For All" throughout the show. The aim is to create awareness on this topic amongst the millions of viewers who follow the Song Contest across Europe. UNICEF's involvement will also draw attention to fundraising for children in need. In particular, the full televoting revenue from the show will go to UNICEF.

World famous stars including Robbie Williams, David Beckham and Whoopi Goldberg will ask viewers from across Europe to cast their vote to support UNICEF's good cause.

The show will also feature Dutch UNICEF Ambassador Sipke Jan Bousema's recent visit to Gambia, where UNICEF initiated several projects to improve access to safe and clean drinking water.

"The Junior Eurovision Song Contest is perceived as a high standard family entertainment programme across the participating countries. The event has a very positive spirit: for one week, children from all over Europe join to perform their songs and have fun together. It is a good setting for children from a wide range of backgrounds to meet and interact socially. This is one of several aspects creating an ideal fit between the Junior Eurovision Song Contest and UNICEF," says Roger Keczkes, Project Leader of UNICEF International.

"The EBU is proud to welcome UNICEF again as a partner of the 2008 Junior Eurovision Song Contest," says Bjørn Erichsen, Director of Eurovision TV. "We are extremely happy to be working with UNICEF. In addition to building strong bonds between artists in our show and children across Europe, we highlight the outstanding work that UNICEF is doing internationally. This year we will focus in particular on the need for access to clean and safe water," concludes Erichsen.