One way CUN works is by getting children out of battle zones. For example, in 1999, Ziman, representing CUN, accompanied a delegation from the United Jewish Communities on a mission to help Kosovo refugees. She and the group brought food and medical supplies to the refugees and airlifted mothers and children from the camps in Albania and Hungary to "absorption centers" in Israel. Ziman remembers the experience:

"I was overwhelmed by some of the children that approached me and asked me why God was throwing bombs at them. Children don't understand war. They didn't create it. It is we who create war and they are the victims. We have to recognize that 60 percent of the victims of all the wars are children. It is not about one country, it's not about one government; it's about uniting a global community. Working with people like Olara Otunnu is a priority."

Ziman talks about how her interests have evolved to include concern for children, and why she decided to found CUN:

Read another story about Daphna Ziman

Covenant House provides shelter and services to homeless and runaway youth. Kids can contact them at 1-800-999-9999.

Olara Otunnu is one of Daphna's heroes He is helping children from around the world.

On November 11, 2001 Children Uniting Nations hosted a carnival for homeless and foster children, coinciding with the UN's International Day of the Child. It took place on the Santa Monica Pier in Southern California. CUN invited families and individuals to mentor a foster or homeless child for a carnival of performances, games, food, face painting and crafts. Many celebrities and community leaders joined CUN in making children's dreams and opportunities come true. Please contact CUN at (310) 271-8421 for more information.

Daphna Ziman was honored May 22, 2002, with the Aviva "Triumph of the Spirit" award for her commitment to "challenging and changing the injustices that plague our society, focusing particularly on the needs of children. Daphna Ziman's passion and commitment to children knows no bounds."

During her speech Daphna said: "It takes the knowledge that, as a people, we are only as strong as our weakest link, and our weakest link is other people's children, those children that have been abandoned by our own communities.

"We have a way of solving problems for foster children, for other people's children, for those children who have nobody. It's having all of us here extend a little time out of our lives to mentor those children, to tutor those children, to be really constant in their lives, and I can't tell you how much of a difference every one of you can make.

"It's a chain reaction. You can take a child twice a month into your life, and that child will have one constant, that child will bond and that child will not turn to crime or drugs or, say, prostitution or whatever else. Because that child will know that somebody cares."