Star talk

"Don’t be selfish, help each other. If you just care about yourself, your world is going to shrink and shrink till there is nothing left!"

© UNICEF/HQ02-0191/Bronstein

Angelique Kidjo performs at the ‘Celebration of Leadership’ concert at United Nations Headquarters in New York, 2002.

Angelique Kidjo is a West African singer and songwriter. She is one of the most electrifying performers in the pop world today, and is also one of its most forward thinkers, with a deep commitment to children and young people. Ms. Kidjo became a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in July 2002.

Angelique on UNICEF and Education

VOY: How did you become interested in the issue?
AK: Through all my travelling I found out that the fate of children, especially girls, is so different depending on the country they live in. It is really unjust and heartbreaking. Many problems arise when you try to improve their lives: I understand that in order to change the future; the only solution is to educate the children. I had the opportunity as a child to go to school because of my parents. I was so lucky. I wish I could help share this luck with many kids. As a girl, I saw so many of my girlfriends who had to quit school to help in their houses: it enraged me.

VOY: What are some of the reasons that you became interested?
AK: My love for justice and my love for the kids. My childhood was so fabulous. It does not feel right to me that so many children don’t get the same [opportunities].

VOY: Was there one moment that you can think of when it became clear to you that you wanted to do something to benefit children?
AK: As a kid I once help my mother give birth to a baby. It impressed me so much. It was at that moment that I started caring about kids.

VOY: What made you want to become a UNICEF goodwill ambassador?
AK: I have done quite a few events with the United Nations, especially with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). But when I performed with hundreds of young musicians in the ‘SAY YES FOR CHILDREN’ concert in New York, I felt I had found my home!

VOY: How has being a UNICEF goodwill ambassador impacted/changed your life?
AK: It allows me to feel useful outside the world of Music. I meet so many people who work so hard to improve the lives of children: it is so refreshing compared to the many self centred people in the music business.

VOY: Do you do anything differently now than you did before?
AK: Not really.

VOY: Do you think celebrity representatives can really make a difference? Some cynics might say it is just glitz and PR?
AK: I think that we all are so overloaded with information, commercials and goods that we need a little reminder about how lucky we are. When this message is carried by celebrities it is felt more deeply and in a more pleasant way (I hope). Our access to the media also helps the cause. We all know that the media have a tendency to speak only about what is sensational...

VOY: What do you think is the top priority for reaching the goals of your issue?
AK: Politicians have to understand that girls’ education is going to improve the wealth of the country: it is, as they say in politics, a ‘win-win’ situation!

VOY: Have you gone on many missions for UNICEF?
AK: Just a few: in Finland, in Tanzania, in Benin, in South Africa, in Brazil…

VOY: What did you do on these missions?
AK: Talk, sing, do whatever it takes to transmit to others my passion and my concern about the children, their education, their health and their rights!

VOY: Is there one mission that really stands out for you? If so, can you tell us why?
AK: When I travelled to Tanzania with Carol Bellamy, UNICEF’s Executive Director. I was so impressed by the mix of energy, professionalism and care that UNICEF staff shows.

VOY: Can you tell us a little bit about yourself? Who you are?
AK: I am an African singer born in Benin, West Africa. I started singing on stage when I was 6. I have never stopped since! I played in more than 60 countries and released 7 albums.

VOY: What is the most important thing in your life?
AK: Guess… apart from the music, my daughter and my family.

VOY: What do you see as your greatest accomplishment?
AK: To record music that I am proud of and that speaks about my concerns.

VOY: Your worst failure?
AK: I don’t know!

VOY: What is the one message you would like to get out to young people?
AK: Don’t be selfish, help each other. If you just care about yourself, your world is going to shrink and shrink till there is nothing left!

VOY: If there is one piece of advice you wish you had gotten, and followed, what would it be?
AK: Not to be impatient: I guess it is too late!!!!

VOY: Do you have children?
AK: One daughter.

VOY: What do your kids think of your involvement with UNICEF?
AK: I think my daughter is proud of me. She’s starting to be an activist already…she is only 10.