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Goodwill Ambassadors

Chess legend and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Anatoly Karpov during a one-week visit to Kazakhstan for UNICEF in September 2005

What qualifies a singer, an actor or an athlete to represent UNICEF? Can celebrities really make a difference to the lives of children?

UNICEF celebrity supporters in CEE/CIS have a wide range of talents and achievements, but they all share a commitment to improving the lives of children. In each case, celebrities are asked to team up with UNICEF because they have already demonstrated that commitment.

The benefits to UNICEF are clear. Celebrities attract attention, so they can focus that attention on the needs of children in their own countries and beyond. They have access to those with the power to take decisions. They can use their talents and fame to fundraise and advocate for children.

Across our region, they support UNICEF’s work to ensure every child’s right to health, education, equality and protection.

International Goodwill Ambassador: Maxim Vengerov

"Helping children in need and sharing classical music with young people is perhaps the greatest responsibility of my life," says Maxim Vengerov, the Siberian violin virtuoso. "I know the joy and the meaning that music can bring to children, even in the most difficult circumstances. If I can touch them and perhaps inspire them, I’ll feel very proud."

Maxim Vengerov was appointed UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador on 15 July 1997. He is the first classical musician to be nominated to such a role.

Regional Goodwill Ambassador for CEE/CIS: Anatoly Karpov

The former World Chess supremo is championing a very different cause nowadays: the campaign for universal salt iodization. "I am very pleased to be involved in this issue, says Karpov, who was appointed Regional Goodwill Ambassador in 2000. "We have clear aims and there are clear ways to solve the problem. We're in the process of achieving universal salt iodization."

An interview with Anatoly Karpov

Anatoly Karpov's one-week visit to Kazakhstan (September 2005)

UNICEF National Ambassador for Serbia, Emir Kusturica, stands in front of the Independent Cultural Centre in Herceg Novi, Serbia after finishing his latest film "All the Invisible Children".

National Ambassadors

Armenia
Alla Levonyan
Renowned singer becomes UNICEF Armenia Goodwill Ambassador (April 2007)

Azerbaijan:
Teymur Rajabov
Chess Champion Teymur Rajabov joins ranks of UNICEF Ambassadors (May 2006)

Bulgaria:

Dimitar Berbatov
Football Star Player Dimitar Berbatov joins UNICEF in Launching a Report on Children with Disabilities in his capacity of newly appointed Goodwill Ambassador for children in Bulgaria (May 2006)

Ani Atanassova Salich
TV anchor and reporter (November 2006)

Croatia:

Maja Vucic - female vocalist and TV host (Special Representative for Parents and Babies)

Zlatan Stipisic Gibonni - singer/songwriter

Bojana Gregoric Vejzovic - actress and TV host (on the right, with Maja Vucic (L))

Georgia

Opera singer Paata Burchuladze

Montenegro

Antonije Pusic, singer/songwriter, also known as Rambo Amadeus, the first UNICEF National Ambassador for Montenegro (October 2006) More information

Romania

On December 11, 2006, Pierre Poupard, UNICEF Representative in Romania, announced the appointment of Mrs. Andreea Marin as the first National Goodwill Ambassador for Romania. In 2007 Andreea Marin will support UNICEF Romania for advocacy for the rights of the child and raising awareness on their issues. During the past two years, Andreea Marin supported many of UNICEF’s actions, proving to be one of the greatest supporters of the cause of children. At her initiative, TVR partnered with UNICEF for the 2005 "Smile for Asia" campaign in the benefit of the children affected by the Tsunami and for the 2006 Cherish Life campaign for the children affected by floods in Southern Romania.