Daphna Ziman

Daphna Edwards Ziman is one of the very few people who are not only concerned about the injustices prevailing in the world, especially in relation to children, but also work towards correcting the same. She is the founder as well as the chairperson of Children Uniting Nations (CUN). Apart from that, she is also the chairperson of ABC LOVE (Adoption Brings Children Love), formed for the purpose of finding orphan children and getting them a place in caring and loving families. If that wasn’t enough, Daphna also serves on the board of HIPPY (Home Instruction for Pre-School Youngsters).

 

Daphna Ziman even serves on the Executive Board of ‘The Woman’s Leadership Forum’. Chaired by Tipper Gore, the forum is devoted towards bringing women into the political arena. With this, it aims at making them a force of change in the areas related to women, children and the community at large.  Daphna is not alone in her efforts to make the world a better place to live in. Joining her, in her efforts, is her husband, Richard S. Ziman. In fact, it is along with him only that she supports ‘City of Hope’, formed for the purpose of providing free medical care to the underprivileged.

 

Though Daphna cares for a lot of causes, it is the plight of the children that affects her the most. Her passion and commitment towards children seems to stretch beyond the limit of words. She is working, constantly and tirelessly, to help them get back their rights. When she is not working towards the needs of children or those less fortunate, she can be seen making use of her time as the President of Edwards Entertainment International, an independent film and television production company. The latest movie to be made under the banner was ‘Footsteps’.

 

One of the most prominent achievements of Daphna has been her success in getting Family Preservation Act amended. As per the act, abused children, living in homeless shelters, were sent back to their abusive parents, even when foster parents were interested in their care. She went to Washington D.C. and lobbied for an amendment to the law. Finally, she won and it was enacted that the law would permit parents to reunite with their children, but only if it was in the best interests of the child.

 

Daphna founded CUN to bring the issue of child welfare to the forefront and make people, the world over, sit up and notice. Another major main aim behind the setting up of the foundation was to provide a platform to the children, where they could discuss the threats and dangers that can arise because of tomorrow’s problems. The basic issues that it is presently concerned with, are - nuclear weapons, abuse and pollution of the environment, justice system related to the rights of the child, food and overpopulation.

 

The recognition of the efforts of Daphna has come in the form of the following awards, with which she has been honored: