Goodwill Ambassador and Friends of UNICEF
They have a wide range of talents and achievements, and they all share a commitment to improving the lives of children
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UNICEF Goodwill Ambassadors are well-known personalities willing to do their utmost to mobilize support for children around the world among the general public and within their industry. These volunteers demonstrate a high level of commitment to children and to the organization. To date, UNICEF has worked with over 200 Goodwill Ambassadors from different industries, including entertainment, sports and arts, such as David Beckham, Jackie Chan, Shakira, Orlando Bloom, Ewan McGregor, Ricky Martin, Katy Perry and Lionel Messi.
Friends of UNICEF is an initiative under which UNICEF Thailand works closely with a group of carefully selected celebrities from different industries to promote the rights of children and to recruit supporters to the cause.
Friends of UNICEF can help focus the public’s attention on the most pressing needs facing children. They represent positive role models for young people and they show a strong and genuine interest in the issues that children are facing. Friends of UNICEF can make direct representations to those with the power to effect change. They can use their talents, voices and fame to advocate for children, encourage positive action and mobilize resources to address the challenges they face. In this way, they provide invaluable support to UNICEF’s mission to ensure the protection and fulfillment of every child’s right to health, education, protection and equal opportunity.
Goodwill Ambassador (GWA)
I am proud to be a part of UNICEF. Child and youth development is crucial to our country’s future, and this requires continued efforts and a commitment from all of us.
In Thailand, the former Prime Minister Anand Panyarachun was appointed as UNICEF National Goodwill Ambassador in 1996. He has played an important role in raising awareness on a range of issues facing children. He has also been a driving force in the mobilization of funds that enable UNICEF’s work for children in Thailand and across the world.
Friends of UNICEF
In May 2017, UNICEF has appointed four new Friends of UNICEF, including Kiatisuk “Zico” Senamuang, “Noodee” Vanessa Race, “Peach” Pachara Chirathivat and “Mai” Davika Hoorne. Together with Paula Taylor and Nichkun Horvejkul, who have been Friends of UNICEF since 2013, the four celebrities will help UNICEF spread awareness of the challenges and vulnerabilities still facing millions of children in Thailand.
Their first collaboration with UNICEF is in lending their support and their voices to the #FightUnfair campaign. This campaign will engage with the public to highlight the inequities facing children in Thailand and call for public support and action to address these challenges and to enable every child to have a fair chance in life.
Friends of UNICEF will highlight the importance of investing in early childhood development for every child, protecting every child from violence, ensuring inclusive education that brings every child to the classroom and helping every adolescent to remain healthy, informed and engaged.
Nichkhun Horvejkul
Nichkhun is a Thai-American singer and actor. He is currently based in South Korea as a member of a boy band 2PM formed by JYP Entertainment.
As a Friend of UNICEF, Nichkun helps UNICEF Thailand to promote child rights. With UNICEF, he made several field visits and helped fundraise in many campaigns.
Paula Taylor
Paula is an actress, model and the mother of three lovely children.
As a Friend of UNICEF, Paula helps UNICEF Thailand promote early childhood development, especially breastfeeding.
Davika Hoorne (Mai)
Davika is one of the leading actresses in Thailand. She won several awards during her seven-year career. Before being appointed as a Friend of UNICEF in 2017, Davika has supported UNICEF in many campaigns including the Basket of Hope, a fundraising campaign to raise funds for children affected by emergencies around the world.
Now, she is helping UNICEF to advocate for a fair chance for every child in Thailand.
Pachara Chirathiwat (Peach)
Pachara is a young singer and actor. He is an example of a creative young person raising his voice for social change. He was awarded an Outstanding Youth Award in 2013.
Pachara was appointed as a Friend of UNICEF in 2017 to help UNICEF Thailand promote voices of youth, sexual and reproductive health among young people and adolescent participation.
Vanessa Race (Noodee)
Vanessa has over 10 years of experience working with children and is knowledgeable about brain and child development.
Vanessa supported UNICEF Thailand in the Best Start campaign to promote early childhood development in 2015. She was appointed as a Friend of UNICEF in 2017 and will help UNICEF promote early childhood development and positive parenting.
