UNICEF Egypt Appoints National Ambassadors

CAIRO, 12 February 2017- On the occasion of the 70th Anniversary of the founding of The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), UNICEF in Egypt celebrated at a special event today the appointment of three prominent National Ambassadors. 

The newly appointed Ambassadors are -in alphabetical order- Actor Ahmed Helmy, Actress & Singer Donia Samir Ghanem and Actress Mona Zaki. In their new roles, the Ambassadors will support UNICEF’s work for children in Egypt and beyond, with a special focus on Ending Violence Against Children, promoting the importance of Early Childhood Development and the first 1,000 days of a child’s life.

UNICEF has been working in Egypt since the early 50s. It takes pride in years of progress advancing child rights which is enabled by constructive partnerships with the Government of Egypt, academia, civil Society, private sector, public figures and influencers. 

 Engaging Goodwill Ambassadors have been an important part of UNICEF’s global 70-year journey, dedicating their time and fame to promote UNICEF’s advocacy efforts in improving the lives of millions of children and protecting the most vulnerable ones.

"UNICEF was established to bring help and hope to children whose lives and future were at risk.  Our mission is no less urgent today.  We are working with partners in all fronts to bridge the gap between the world we imagined for our children and the world they live in. Today, we are delighted to welcome three renowned Ambassadors at UNICEF in Egypt, Actor Ahmed Helmy, Actress & Singer Donia Samir Ghanem and Actress Mona Zaki. Thank you for your commitment to lend your voices to the children and to raise awareness on children’s rights and issues" said Bruno Maes, UNICEF Representative in Egypt.

In 2015, Helmy, Ghanem and Zaki, along with other 21 Campaign Champions, participated with UNICEF in the #FightUnfair social media campaign that aimed at shedding light on the challenges facing children and young people in Egypt. The campaign focused on violence against children, malnutrition, FGM and poverty.

During the UNICEF@70 function, Ahmed Helmy, UNICEF Egypt Ambassador, dedicated a short video prompting ending violent disciplinary practices. “I am happy to engage with UNICEF, and will exert my outmost efforts to be an effective voice which will contribute to making a positive change in the lives of our children.  Children are the most valuable. They must be on top of our agenda, to receive the proper health care, and early childhood development as well as to protect them from all forms of violence, and provide them access to quality education.  Let’s fulfill the rights of our children so that they become happier, successful and productive people in their communities”. 

Actress & Singer Donia Samir Ghanem has also contributed a special song “Takhayal” projecting the rights and dreams of the most deprived children. “I’m committed to doing everything I can to help children and young people who come from such different backgrounds but all of them are entitled to the same thing: a hopeful future”, said Donia Samir Ghanem, UNICEF Egypt Ambassador. 

Actress Mona Zaki, UNICEF Egypt Ambassador, has also supported the positive parenting cause featuring a short video on her reflections as a mother:" I am proud to stand with UNICEF to continue to help defend and uphold children's rights and help provide quality early care and development to children, especially those who are most vulnerable."

Ahmed Helmy, Donia Samir Ghanem and Mona Zaki join a list of UNICEF Ambassadors that includes world-renowned figures such as David Beckham, Kadim Al-Sahir, Katy Perry, Liam Neeson, Lionel Messi, Mia Farrow, Nancy Agram, Orlando Bloom, Sir Roger Moore, Vanessa Redgrave and Zade Dirani.

Notes to Editors:

UNICEF was established in 1946 by the United Nations to safeguard the lives of children struggling to survive in the aftermath of World War II, and in doing so, help rebuild destroyed societies and restore hope for a better future.

Today, the organization continues to work tirelessly in the world’s toughest places to bring life-saving aid and long-term support to children whose lives and futures are endangered by conflict, crises, poverty, inequality and discrimination. 

Immense progress for children has been achieved worldwide in recent decades. Since 1990, the number of children dying before their fifth birthday halved and hundreds of millions of children have been lifted out of poverty. Out-of-school rates among primary-school-aged children have reduced by more than 40 per cent between 1990 and 2014.

Despite significant progress, too many children -across the world- are being left behind because of their gender, race, religion, ethnic group or disability; because they live in poverty or in hard-to-reach communities; or simply because they are children.