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Press releases and news notes
Advocacy - Goodwill ambassadors and special representatives
UNICEF appoints singer Nancy Ajram as Regional Ambassador for the Middle East and North Africa
BEIRUT/AMMAN, 22 October 2009 – UNICEF’s Regional Office for the Middle East and North Africa announced today the appointment of Lebanese star...
UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Mia Farrow concludes visit to Israel and occupied Palestinian territory (oPt)
JERUSALEM, 18 October 2009 – World renowned actress Mia Farrow ended today a six-day mission to the occupied Palestinian territory and Israel...
Orlando Bloom named UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador
LOS ANGELES/NEW YORK, 12 October 2009 - Actor Orlando Bloom was appointed a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador today, in recognition of his...
UNICEF: Mia Farrow highlights Cameroon’s forgotten victims of child malnutrition
YAOUNDE, CAMEROON 13 September 2009 - The internationally acclaimed actress and humanitarian activist Mia Farrow, arrived in Cameroon today with a...
HM Queen Rania on the children of Gaza
Statement - 5 January 2009
Mia Farrow calls for humanitarian access and protection to be provided immediately in all areas of Eastern Congo
GENEVA, 15 December 2008: Actress and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Mia Farrow, who’s just returned from a three day visit to the Democratic...
UNICEF Eminent Advocate for Children, Her Majesty Queen Rania of Jordan Visits UNICEF-Supported Aprendiz City-School in São Paulo, Brazil
São Paulo, 24 October 2008– As part of an official state visit to Brazil, UNICEF Eminent Advocate for Children, Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan...
Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan learns about an innovative educational tool during her visit to a school in Argentina
BUENOS AIRES, 22 October 2008 – During a working visit to Argentina, Her Majesty Queen Rania visited the Paula Albarracín de Sarmiento school...
Mia Farrow will meet with disaster stricken children in Haiti
PORT-AU-PRINCE, 18 September 2008 – UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, actress Mia Farrow, will visit Haiti from 19-23 September to witness the devastation...
Dina Páucar named UNICEF National Goodwill Ambassador for Peru
LIMA, 29 May 2008 - Singer Dina Páucar was named National Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF today. This appointment reflects her commitment...
Visit of UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Mia Farrow to the Central African Republic
BANGUI, 22 May 2008 – The threat of kidnappings, rape and killings are an everyday part of life for people living in the Central African Republic...
Former Child Soldier and current UNICEF Advocate encourages Jamaican Youth
KINGSTON, 30 April 2008 - Wrapping up his first mission as UNICEF’s Advocate for Children Affected by War, former child soldier Ishmael Beah today...
Myung-Whun Chung, appointed UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador
PARIS, 7 April 2008 – Myung-Whun Chung, director of Radio-France’s Philharmonic Orchestra and one of the world’s most renowned conductors...
Federer in public service announcement for an ‘AIDS-free generation’
NEW YORK, 26 November 2007 – Roger Federer, the ATP’s world number one tennis player and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, will star in a World AIDS...
Ishmael Beah Appointed UNICEF Advocate, on the Anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child
NEW YORK, 20 November 2007 - On the occasion of the 18th anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, author and former...
Berliner Philharmoniker joins ranks of UNICEF Goodwill Ambassadors
NEW YORK, 12 November 2007 –UNICEF today announced the appointment of the prestigious Berliner Philharmoniker as its latest Goodwill Ambassador.
UNICEF renews its commitment to ending all forms of violence against children
NEW YORK, 19 October 2007 - The one year progress report for the UN Study on Violence against Children finds signs of progress in child trafficking...
On visit to native Benin, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Angélique Kidjo urges parents to send daughters to school
COTONOU, 13 September 2007 - Full of energy and passion Angélique Kijdo, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, has just finished a visit to her native country of...
Queen Rania opens Baby Friendly Hospital
AMMAN, 29 August 2007 – Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah inaugurated Dr. Jamil Tutounji Hospital in Sahab a Baby Friendly Hospital on Wednesday as part of ongoing activities marking World Breastfeeding week.
Ethiopian running legend, Goodwill Ambassador Berhane Adere fundraising in run up to race
ADDIS ABABA, 24 August 2007 - UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and world class runner, Berhane Adere, today launched the Millennium Dream Campaign to raise one...
Basketball star Ginobili appointed UNICEF Ambassador
BUENOS AIRES, 10 August 2007- Manu Ginobili, triple NBA champion, Olympic medalist and passionate defender of children, has been appointed UNICEF’s newest Argentina Ambassador.
UNICEF appoints South African fashion icon Gavin Rajah
CAPE TOWN / SOUTH AFRICA, 11 August 2007 - UNICEF last night announced the appointment of top South African couturier and humanitarian activist Gavin Rajah as a...
UN Secretary General Visits UN Regional Hub in Panama
PANAMA, 3 June 2007 - In his first official trip to Panama and to Latin America and the Caribbean, Secretary General Ban Ki-moon came to visit the future location of the United Nations...
Queen Rania Visits UNICEF Projects in Morocco, Highlights Achievements in Child Welfare
Fez/ Morocco, 1 June 2007 - As part of her mandate as UNICEF's first Eminent Advocate for Children, Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah visited two UNICEF supported...
UNICEF Ambassador Clay Aiken draws attention to the critical needs of children in Afganistan
KABUL/NEW YORK, 12 April 12 2007 - UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Clay Aiken concluded a recent trip to Afghanistan today by heralding the progress being made in children’s education.
Actor Khaled Abol Naga is appointed UNICEF Egypt Ambassador
CAIRO, 10 April 2007 - UNICEF Egypt has announced the appointment of leading actor Khaled Abol Naga as an Ambassador.
UNICEF and Mia Farrow call for security and expanded humanitarian action for Sudanese refugees and displaced Chadians in eastern Chad
N’DJAMENA/CHAD, 23 February 2007 – UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Mia Farrow accompanied by UNICEF Chad Representative, Stephen Adkisson, concluded her trip in eastern Chad to camps of Sudanese refugees and...
UNICEF and Mia Farrow draw attention to critical needs of children in looming humanitarian crisis in Central African Republic
BANGUI/DAKAR, 19 February 2007 – UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Mia Farrow and UNICEF Regional Director for West and Central Africa, Esther Guluma, concluded a trip...
Presidential Medal of Honour awarded to Mia Farrow during mission to Central African Republic
BANGUI, 13 February 2007 – UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Mia Farrow was today decorated by Central African Republic President, His Excellency Francois Boizize, with...
Ralph Fiennes & Sharmila Tagore join the fight against AIDS
MUMBAI, 31 January 2007 - At the end of a five day mission to rural Mahrastra investigating the impact of HIV and AIDs, Ralph Fiennes, UNICEF UK Ambassador and Sharmila Tagore, UNICEF India Ambassador, called for an...
Queen Rania becomes UNICEF’s first Eminent Advocate for Children at the World Economic Forum
DAVOS, 26 January 2007 – UNICEF and Her Majesty Queen Rania Al-Abdullah signed an agreement at the World Economic Forum in Davos today naming the Queen of Jordan as UNICEF’s...
Roger Federer praises progress in tsunami-affected district of India
CUDDALORE/INDIA , 22 December 2006 - On his first official field trip as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, ATP World number one Roger Federer today met with tsunami-affected children...
Roger Federer to visit UNICEF’s tsunami recovery programmes
18 December 2006 - Media Advisory
Visiting his 100th country, UNICEF UK Ambassador for Humanitarian Emergencies, Martin Bell travels to Afghanistan
LONDON, 6 December 2006 - Former BBC War Correspondent and UNICEF UK Ambassador for Humanitarian Emergencies, Martin Bell, returned from Afghanistan recently following his first visit to the country.
UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Angélique Kidjo returns from northern Uganda
27 November 2006 - Media Advisory
UNICEF appoints South African artist Zola as Regional Goodwill Ambassador
ADDIS ABABA, 17 Nov 2006 - UNICEF today announced the appointment of prominent South African singer and actor Zola as a Goodwill Ambassador for Eastern and Southern Africa.
Shakira, UNICEF launch Campaign for Peace in El Salvador
SAN SALVADOR, 6 November 2006 - UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Shakira Mebarak joined the “Make the Difference by Not Being Indifferent" campaign, in support of the fight against violence in El Salvador.
Information on Goodwill Ambassador Roger Federer’s ‘Feder-Bear’
NEW YORK, 11 September 2006 – UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Roger Federer’s third consecutive US Open win yesterday was celebrated with the announcement that the ‘Feder-bear’ Beanie Baby® will be available for purchase this holiday season.
UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Mia Farrow calls for children to be at the centre of peace and recovery of Darfur
KHARTOUM/AMMAN/GENEVA/LONDON/BERLIN, 16 June 2006 – During a recent visit to Darfur, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Mia Farrow appealed to government officials and rebel groups to make sure that children are placed at the center of peace and recovery for Darfur.
Mia Farrow and Ronan Farrow return to Darfur
NEW YORK, 9 June, 2006 - UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and American actress Mia Farrow is returning to Darfur on Sunday, 11 June through Thursday, 15 June. From there she travels to London and Berlin then returns to New York to conduct media interviews about her visit. Accompanying Ms. Farrow is her son, Ronan, a UNICEF Spokesperson for Youth. Mia Farrow traveled to Darfur in November, 2004.
Angélique Kidjo calls for rapid scaling up of HIV treatment in Zimbabwe
HARARE 28 April 2006 – While on a recent trip to Africa to tour the drought-affected Horn of Africa, UNICEF’s Goodwill Ambassador Angélique Kidjo visited Zimbabwe and met with children infected with HIV.
UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Johann Koss to Visit Sudan
KHARTOUM/AMMAN/NEW YORK, 25 April 2006 – UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Johann Koss, the four-time Olympic gold medal speed skater from Norway, will visit Sudan from April 30 to May 4. His trip will highlight the situation of the children in difficult conditions in the camps for displaced people near the capital, Khartoum, as well as the progress being made in Southern Sudan as the result of the comprehensive peace agreement signed in January 2005.
UNICEF Appoints Tennis Champion Roger Federer as Goodwill Ambassador
NEW YORK, 3 April 2006 – Roger Federer, the No. 1 tennis player on the ATP circuit and a passionate advocate for children, was appointed UNICEF’s newest Goodwill Ambassador today.
Belgian Princess Mathilde appointed UNICEF and UNAIDS Special Representative for Children and AIDS
ANTWERP, 27 May 2005 - Today on the occasion of the granting of an honorary doctorate to UNICEF at the University of Antwerp, HRH Princess Mathilde announced her acceptance to become a UNICEF and UNAIDS Special Representative for children affected and infected by HIV/AIDS.
Jackie Chan, UNICEF/UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador says stop discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS
HANOI, 25th April – At the conclusion of his first mission to Viet Nam, UNICEF/ UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador Jackie Chan called for an end to discrimination and stigma towards children and families infected or affected with HIV/AIDS.
Jackie Chan, UNICEF/UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador on 6-day mission to Cambodia and Viet Nam to highlight AIDS and landmines
HANOI/PHNOM PENH, 18 April 2005 - Action film superstar Jackie Chan will return to Cambodia and make his first official visit to Viet Nam in his capacity as a UNICEF and UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador.
UNICEF signs on Amitabh Bachchan to play role for children
NEW YORK, 14 April 2005 - UNICEF welcomed acclaimed Indian film star Amitabh Bachchan to its ranks of international Goodwill Ambassadors in a formal signing event this evening with Executive Director Carol Bellamy.
UNICEF Ambassador David Beckham launches UNICEF global TV campaign for tsunami emergency appeal
LONDON, 12 January 2005 – Newly appointed UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador David Beckham, will speak out for the Tsunami affected children in a UNICEF TV campaign urging support for the organisation’s work to meet their immediate and long term needs.
UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Sir Roger Moore raising funds for children orphaned by AIDS in China
BEIJING, 6 August 2004 - Sir Roger and Lady Kristina Moore touched down safely in Beijing on Wednesday 4th August, and have already begun their mission to raise awareness and funds for children orphaned by AIDS in China.
UNICEF launches public service campaign
NEW YORK, 28 May 2004 – UNICEF today announced the creation of a new series of public service announcements highlighting the fundamental rights of children to health care, education, equality and protection.
Jackie Chan signs on for UNICEF and UNAIDS
Bangkok/Geneva, April 26 – The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), the UN agency charged with coordinating United Nations efforts to combat the HIV/AID pandemic, jointly appointed today action star Jackie Chan as a Goodwill Ambassador.
Singer and songwriter Shakira appointed UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador
NEW YORK/GENEVA/MADRID, 24 October 2003 -- Grammy Award-winning musician Shakira has been appointed a global Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF, the world’s leading organization for children, UNICEF Executive Director Carol Bellamy announced today.
Milestone: 50 Years of Goodwill Ambassadors for Children
LOS ANGELES/NEW YORK, 3 December 2003 – UNICEF today marks 50 years of celebrity goodwill for children, honoring the global stars who for five decades have carried on a trail-blazing tradition of service that brings hope to hundreds of millions of children worldwide.
Jessica Lange urges Parliamentiarians to protect children from exploitation
MEDIA ADVISORY, 15 April 2004 - UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Jessica Lange will address the Plenary Session of the IPU calling on parliamentarians to use their clout to protect children from exploitation, and launch the IPU/UNICEF Handbook for Parliamentarians on Child Protection.
UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Harry Belafonte to visit Kenya and Senegal
MEDIA ADVISORY, 12 February 2004 - In Kenya, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Harry Belafonte will assess progress in education one year after the Kenya government eliminated primary school fees. He will visit a Nairobi primary school and meet with government and business leaders to discuss the achievements since school fees were abolished and highlight the challenges that remain, particularly the schooling and care of children orphaned by HIV/AIDS and the need to get more girls enrolled in school. On Friday, February 20, Harry will travel to Senegal for a one-week visit during which he will attend a regional conference on birth registration and stress the importance of this issue for protecting the rights of children.
Memorial service pays tribute to the life of Sir Peter Ustinov
MEDIA ADISORY, 4 June 2004 - UNICEF’s annual executive board meeting will host a tribute recognizing the enormous contribution and exemplary dedication Sir Peter Ustinov made on behalf of children globally.
50 years of Goodwill Ambassadors; Belafonte continues tradition
2004 marks 50 years since UNICEF appointed its first Goodwill Ambassador, US comedian and entertainer Danny Kaye, who began a tradition of service that still brings hope to hundreds of millions of children worldwide.
Jessica Lange tells parliamentarians to ask tough questions
MEXICO CITY, 20 April 2004 – UNICEF Ambassador Jessica Lange today launched a “Handbook for Parliamentarians on Child Protection,” a joint UNICEF/IPU (Inter-Parliamentary Union) report. She called on parliamentarians to live up to their responsibilities as legislators and become champions for children.
Launch of new report on children and HIV/AIDS
Children on the Brink 2004 provides the latest and most comprehensive statistics available on historical, current and projected numbers of orphaned children under age 18, focusing on children whose parents die of AIDS. The report stresses the importance of very distinct developmental needs that must be met as vulnerable children progress through early and middle childhood to adolescence.
UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Kenenisa Bekele wins gold in 10,000 meters
ADDIS ABABA, 23 August 2004 – The UNICEF Ethiopia Country Office congratulates Olympic gold medal winner and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador for Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVCs) Kenenisa Bekele upon his victory in the 10,000 meters in Athens.
Jackie Chan wraps up mission to Cambodia
PHNOM PENH, April 28 – Newly appointed UNICEF/UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador Jackie Chan Wednesday wrapped up a busy three-day mission to Cambodia during which he played with HIV-positive children, blew up landmines, met Prime Minister Hun Sen and pledged to do “whatever I can do” to promote the cause of children.
ESPN award for courage goes to UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador
ESPN today honoured UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador George Weah with the prestigious Arthur Ashe Courage Award for his fearless work on behalf of children caught up in wars worldwide.
UNICEF appoints Femi Kuti as Special Representative
New York/Banff, 12 June 2002 -- Calling him one of the most vital figures in the global fight against HIV/AIDS, the United Nations Children's Fund today officially introduced internationally renowned musician Femi Anikulapo-Kuti as its newest Special Representative, at the 2002 BANFF Television Festival in Canada.
Alyssa Milano passes her first test for UNICEF
LUANDA, 10 May, 2004 – UNICEF National Ambassador Alyssa Milano today called on the developed world to get behind UNICEF’s HIV/AIDS work in Angola. On the first day of her week-long visit to Angola, 31-year-old Milano met with young, HIV positive women, explored a Voluntary, Testing and Counseling (VCT) clinic in Luanda, and visited a Luandan hospital. At the VCT clinic Milano had a HIV test, but said it was an opportunity available to far too few Angolans.
George Weah, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, visits Sierra Leone
FREETOWN, 12 April 2004 – Former International soccer star and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, George Manneh Weah, will be visiting Sierra Leone under the auspices of Kallboxx Production to participate in a number of social and commercial events. UNICEF Sierra Leone and Ambassador George Weah will seize the opportunity to organise a series of social mobilisation activities that will enhance the dissemination of information on HIV/AIDS to adolescents and youths and to give an added thrust to Sierra Leone’s HIV and AIDS prevention programme. Ambassador Weah will be accompanied by equally renowned former international Dutch soccer star, Ruud Gullit and a team of Dutch journalists.
UNICEF congratulates Goodwill Ambassador George Weah on humanitarian award
NEW YORK, 13 June 2004 – UNICEF applauded the announcement that Liberian soccer star and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador George Weah will receive the prestigious Arthur Ashe Courage Award from ESPN for his work on behalf of children whose lives have been affected by conflict, disease and poverty.
Harry Belafonte urges all countries to end school fees
NAIROBI, 18 February, 2004 – UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Harry Belafonte called on all developing countries today to follow Kenya’s example and permanently abolish primary school fees. Since the first week of tuition-free school in Kenya in January 2003, more than 1.3 million children have entered school for the first time, pushing national enrollment from 5.9 million to 7.2 million.
UNICEF to celebrate 50 years of celebrity advocacy
LOS ANGELES, 21 November 2003 – On 3 December, at the UNICEF Goodwill Gala, UNICEF will celebrate 50 years of celebrity advocacy and honor the esteemed individuals – stars from stage, screen, sport and music – who have followed in Mr. Kaye’s footsteps. UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Whoopi Goldberg tol host the Gala and Halle Berry will serve as honorary event chair.
Nana Mouskouri: 10 years as Goodwill Ambassador
NEW YORK, 27 October 2003 – UNICEF today marks 10 years of one of its hardest working and best-loved global Goodwill Ambassadors, Greek singer and songwriter Nana Mouskouri.
Chinese piano virtuoso named Goodwill Ambassador
NEW YORK, 20 May 2004 - Lang Lang, the 21-year-old Chinese pianist who has dazzled audiences throughout the world with his musical brilliance and youthful exuberance, was appointed UNICEF’s newest Goodwill Ambassador today.
UNICEF mourns death of Goodwill Ambassador Sir Peter Ustinov
GENEVA/NEW YORK, 2 April 2004 - The funeral of actor and writer Sir Peter Ustinov, who died early Monday in Switzerland at the age of 82, will be held on Saturday in Geneva. UNICEF Executive Director Carol Bellamy will speak at the funeral on behalf of United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan.
UNICEF to celebrate 50 years of Celebrity Goodwill
NEW YORK, 23 October 2003 – UNICEF has announced plans for a star-studded “Goodwill Gala” to celebrate UNICEF’s Goodwill Ambassadors and their leading role in advancing UNICEF’s mission for children around the world over the past 50 years.
Years of fighting, day of fun
MONROVIA, 23 April 2004 – Less than a week after turning over their weapons to UN peacekeepers, hundreds of boys in a remote Liberian town declared today they would not wage war anymore, then lined up to shake hands and talk with their idol, global football star and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador George Weah.
Belafonte urges West Africa to redouble birth registration efforts
DAKAR, 23 February, 2004 – UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Harry Belafonte today appealed to African countries to redouble their efforts at registering births, calling birth registration a fundamental human right. Fifty million births went unregistered globally in 2000 (out of 130 million). In sub-Saharan Africa, 70 per cent of births - 17 million children - went unregistered.
A year later, children still waiting for leaders to deliver
NEW YORK, 8 May 2003 – Goals agreed to at a United Nations summit in May of 2002 have barely begun to be implemented by the nations of the world, UNICEF reported today, saying that only half of the world’s governments had even taken the first step of developing a plan of action for children in their countries. (Press Release)
Lang Lang takes on malaria
Lang Lang is going to Tanzania to help raise awareness about the impact of malaria.
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