Searching to Aid U.N. Refugee Agency’s Ninemillion.org

REDMOND, Wash. — Jan. 17, 2007 — Microsoft Corp. today announced its continued collaboration with the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), a U.N. agency mandated to lead and coordinate international action to protect refugees and resolve refugee problems worldwide. Ninemillion.org, which uses the tagline “Help them learn. Help them play,” was launched by the UNHCR, Microsoft, Nike, and other corporate partners as part of their expanded Internet-based campaign to help the estimated 9 million refugee children and youth around the world.

In support of ninemillion.org, today Microsoft kicked off its Click for the Cause initiative in which Internet searches performed at http://click4thecause.live.com using Microsoft’s search service, Live Search, through March 2007 will result in a financial donation to ninemillion.org. The Live Search donation program will be coupled with a broad online awareness campaign for ninemillion.org to include advertising and editorial space on Microsoft® online properties such as MSN® and microsoft.com in 26 markets around the world. Those interested in learning more about ninemillion.org can visit its Windows Live™ Space at http://nine-million.spaces.live.com.

“Driving awareness is critical to finding lasting solutions for the millions of refugees and displaced people worldwide,” said Nick Van Praag, director of UNHCR’s Division of External Relations. “Through Microsoft utilizing the MSN network on behalf of ninemillion.org, we are able to generate consumer awareness that we hope will result in donations to support this important cause, giving hope to refugee youth and children.”

Ninemillion.org was launched on World Refugee Day (June 20, 2006) as a new public- and private-sector initiative and an example of how business partners are helping UNHCR give refugees hope for a better future. The campaign has received key support from Microsoft as well as other members of UNHCR’s Council of Business Leaders. Two-thirds of the money raised will be distributed by UNHCR to support education in refugee communities.

“At Microsoft, we feel we have a responsibility to use our resources and influence to make a positive impact on the world and its people. With our millions of visitors to MSN and Live Search each month, we hope to raise awareness of the plight of the 9 million refugee children,” said Derrick Connell, general manager of Live Search. “We continue to be impressed with the important work of the UNHCR and ninemillion.org, and are excited for the opportunity to expand our support of a cause that impacts so many around the globe.”

About Ninemillion.org

Ninemillion.org is an innovative global campaign led by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) with founding partners Nike, Microsoft and MSN to raise awareness and funds to bring education and sport programs to many of the world’s refugee youth. The campaign represents the nine million refugee youth across the globe, many of whom do not have the opportunity to learn and play. Nine million faces. Nine million names. Nine million stories. Help them learn. Help them play. For further information visit www.ninemillion.org.

About UNHCR

The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees began work in 1951, with a mandate to protect refugees and find solutions to their plight. Since then, UNHCR has helped more than 50 million refugees rebuild their lives, winning two Nobel Peace Prizes in the process. Today, the agency’s 6,700 staff care for 21 million refugees and others of concern in 116 countries, often in difficult and dangerous environments. UNHCR’s most important responsibility, known as “international protection,” is to ensure respect for refugees’ basic human rights, including their ability to seek asylum and to ensure that no one is returned involuntarily to a country where he or she has reason to fear persecution. The organization promotes international refugee agreements, monitors government compliance with international law and provides material assistance such as food, water, shelter and medical care to civilians fleeing persecution and violence.

About MSN and Windows Live

MSN attracts more than 465 million unique users worldwide per month. With localized versions available globally in 42 markets and 21 languages, MSN is a world leader in delivering compelling programmed content experiences to consumers and online advertising opportunities to businesses worldwide. Windows Live, a new set of personal Internet services and software, is designed to bring together in one place all the relationships, information and interests people care about most, with enhanced safety and security features across their PC, devices and the Web. MSN and Windows Live will be offered alongside each other as complementary services. Some Windows Live services entered an early beta phase on Nov. 1, 2005; these and future beta updates can be found at http://ideas.live.com. Windows Live is available at http://www.live.com. MSN is located on the Web at http://www.msn.com. MSN worldwide sites are located at http://www.msn.com/worldwide.ashx.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

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