VietNamNet Bridge – Pop singer Thu Minh attended the official launch of #WhoseSideAreYouOn, a new project of the United for Wildlife campaign, and commit her involvement in protecting wildlife.

She was the only Vietnamese celebrity and one among several Asian stars invited to attend the ceremony at the Google Town Hall in London on June 9.

The latest campaign asks the next generation to decide which side they are on: the side of critically endangered species or the criminals who kill them for money?

The youth it aims to engage are those who will use social networking sites to get involved and raise awareness of the issue. The campaign will run across the United for Wildlife social media channels, including Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.

Minh joined footballer David Beckham, tennis player Andy Murray, rugby player Francois Piennaar and other celebrities at the ceremony.

United for Wildlife was created by the Royal Foundation, led by the Duke of Cambridge, to bring together the world's leading wildlife charities under a common purpose, namely to create a global movement for change.

"I believe passionately that we have a duty to prevent critically endangered species from being wiped out," Prince William, president of the organisation, said on its website.

"If we get together, everywhere, we can preserve these animals so that they share our world with future generations. That's what United for Wildlife is all about, and why I'm proud to be involved."

Through his foundation, the Duke of Cambridge has brought together an unprecedented collaboration between seven of the world's most influential conservation organisations: Conservation International; Fauna&Flora International; the International Union for Conservation of Nature; The Nature Conservancy; the Wildlife Conservation Society; WWF-UK; and the Zoological Society of London.

The partnership is a long-term commitment to tackle the global challenges affecting the world's natural resources so they can be safeguarded for future generations.

Minh said she will spend most of this year pursuing wildlife campaigns at home and abroad. She expressed her happiness, and said she felt honoured and proud to join international celebrities at the official launch.

She expects her participation would help raise awareness about wildlife protection.

She arrived in South Africa on March 30 to watch rhinos in the wilderness and speak out against the rampant poaching of the animal and the use of its horn in Viet Nam.

Minh joined singer Thanh Bui in a campaign "Forever Wild Rhino Protection Initiative," launched by the Wilderness Foundation.

They raised funds for rhino conservation and addressed the local media on the issue in Port Elizabeth.

VNS/VNN