Today, the team here at Global Citizen took a trip to the United Nations headquarters in NY to mark the launch of the UN Sanitation Campaign.

.@UN DSG Jan Eliasson speaking about the need to end #OpenDefecation. pic.twitter.com/hj2webIqMw

— Judith Rowland (@JudithJRowland) May 28, 2014

At the launch, Deputy Secretary-General Jan Eliasson made public his personal commitment to improving access to toilets. He gave a fantastic (if at times uncomfortable speech) about the need to end the 'poo taboo'.

Being able to poop in a safe place is not an issue that's talked about very much, but Mr. Eliasson is committed to ending the silence. He is a man who really does live by the Charter of the UN, a copy of which he carries with him in his back pocket.

In honor of this, the Global Citizen team presented him a Hero Card urging him to be a Hero in 2015 by negotiating the most ambitious goals possible toward ending extreme poverty by 2030.

'Nobody can do everything, but everybody can do something' #opendefecation@GlblCtznpic.twitter.com/LK06zZMzcG

— William Cuming (@GblCtzn_Will) May 28, 2014

One of the other highlights of the event was the surprise attendance of the UN's newest (and fuzziest) sanitation ambassador! Sesame Street's 'Raya' reported from the field where she excitedly spoke about her important role in advocating the need for safe hygiene habits.

Her enthusiasm was infectious, and everyone in the room was thrilled to see such a high-profile advocate for sanitation.

But this campaign will only be as successful as you make it. You can play your part by signing the Global Citizen Petition to help ensure global sanitation remains a top priority for governments. As the most recent recipient of a Hero Card said, "nobody can do everything, but everybody can do something".