History of Children's Hour
This fund-raising campaign was founded in 1999 towards the end of the Millennium,
on a radical belief that one-hour earnings per year of working people throughout the world can positively make a difference in young people's lives all around the world.
The concept originated in the United Kingdom as "Children's Promise" in 1998 under the leadership of
PM Tony Blair and the New Millennium Experience Company, along with the generous support from Marks & Spencer plc.
Then the idea had taken on global significance under the name children's Hour, led by International Youth Foundationand its network of partners, programs, and people.
This first global Campaign successfully resulted in raising the equivalent of US$12.8 million from 52 countries in total, which was invested in the development of the activities by non-profit organizations contributing to the positive development of children and youth around the world, including Japan.
