By Karin Lornsen

The United Nations Foundation launched in December an interactive photo-scramble game “Pieces of Peace” which gives users the ability to have fun while getting up-to-speed on international news by unscrambling photos taken around the world related to the work of the United Nations. The game includes ways for people to learn as they play, helping build awareness and knowledge about international issues. Integrated social media options also allow users to organically share this content with friends, brag about their photo-unscrambling prowess, and encourage them to get involved.

“Many people are wondering what they can do to give back and make a difference around the world,” says UN Foundation COO Rick Parnell. “This first mobile game makes it fun and easy to stay up-to date on the lifesaving work of the UN. With a few easy taps on your phone, you can get involved and help change the world for the better.”

The game offers users the following features:

• Captivating, high-res images of the UN’s lifesaving work around the world

• Updated photos each week

• Three levels of difficulty for the photo scramble

• Photos come with descriptions and links to learn more and take action

• Photos can be saved on mobile devices and be shared on Facebook and Twitter

• Donation options (by credit card and text-to-give) to help support innovative campaigns and initiatives that support the UN

The game, which is available for free download on iTunes, is also integrated into the iTunes version of the UN Foundation’s mobile application which was launched in September at the UN headquarters in New York. Singer-songwriter and UN Messenger of Peace Stevie Wonder and "High School Musical" star and UN Youth Champion Monique Coleman helped UN Foundation CEO Kathy Calvin launch the new app and stressed the importance of innovation to combat poverty worldwide. The mobile application makes it simple for people everywhere to connect with the United Nations and allows users, free of charge, to get the UN’s latest news. The app aggregates news feeds from multiple UN agencies and programs and delivers news in one integrated, real-time stream that is easy-to-use and tailored to a person’s interests and individual mobile device. Users can personalize their UN news by selecting the topic areas and regions of most interest. The stream is available in all six of the official languages of the UN.

“Mobile technology and social media means that everyone has a way to impact the world, right in the palm of their hands,” says Aaron Sherinian, Vice President of Communications and Public Relations at the UN Foundation. “Now, people who love phones, love playing games on their phones, and love to know what is going on in the world have a way to do all three and help the UN at the same time.”

Building and launching the mobile game and news app has been a global effort. Both apps were developed through a partnership with FDV Solutions – an Argentina-based software development company that builds innovative mobile solutions. The project was made possible with the support of the UN Foundation’s Global Entrepreneurs Council, which brings together some of the world’s top young leaders committed to finding innovative solutions to global problems.

To learn more and download the free game, visit http://www.unfoundation.org/mobileapp. You may spread the word as well, tweeting this: Fun facts and #development news at #PiecesofPeace, the first #UN mobile photo jumble. Download 4free and play now! http://bit.ly/oiHtCW

About the author and the United Nations Foundation

Karin Lornsen is PR at United Nations Foundation, a public charity, was created in 1998 with entrepreneur and philanthropist Ted Turner’s historic $1 billion gift to support UN causes and activities. The UN Foundation builds and implements public/private partnerships to address the world’s most pressing problems, and works to broaden support for the UN through advocacy and public outreach. Through campaigns and partnerships, the organization connects people, ideas, and resources to help the UN solve global problems. The campaigns reduce child mortality, empower women and girls, create a new energy future, secure peace and human rights, and promote technology innovation to improve health outcomes. These solutions are helping the UN advance the eight global targets known as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

For more information, visit www.unfoundation.org.