UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador

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Director-General Irina Bokova with presenting the Goodwill Ambassador title certificate to the Honorable Nasser David Khalili to recognize his contributions and interests with UNESCO. Nasser David Khalili with Irina Bokova 2012.jpg
Director-General Irina Bokova with presenting the Goodwill Ambassador title certificate to the Honorable Nasser David Khalili to recognize his contributions and interests with UNESCO.

UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador is an official postnominal honorific title, title of authority, legal status and job description assigned to those goodwill ambassadors and advocates who are designated by the United Nations. UNESCO goodwill ambassadors are celebrity and expert advocates of UNESCO (not diplomatic ambassadors) who use their talent or fame to spread the UNESCO ideals, especially attracting media attention. Other specialized categories of advocates include UNESCO Artist for Peace, UNESCO Champion for Sport and UNESCO Special Envoy.

Contents

Current UNESCO goodwill ambassadors

The following is a list of UNESCO goodwill ambassadors along with the projects and activities they support: [1]

NameCountryDateProjects and Activities Supported [2] Link
Xueli Abbing Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands 2022Fight against discriminations and racism
Valdas Adamkus Flag of Lithuania.svg  Lithuania 2003Construction of Knowledge Societies
Seidnaly Sidahmed Alphadi Flag of Niger.svg  Niger 2016for African innovation and creation
Christiane Amanpour Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 2015 Freedom of expression and journalist safety
Yalitza Aparicio Flag of Mexico.svg  Mexico 2019Indigenous Peoples [3]
Metin Arditi Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg  Switzerland 2014UNESCO Honorary Ambassador and Special Envoy for Intercultural Dialogue
Chantal Biya Flag of Cameroon.svg  Cameroon 2008Education and Social Inclusion
Sergey Bubka Flag of Ukraine.svg  Ukraine 2003for Sport
Laura Welch Bush Flag of the United States.svg  United States 2003 [4] UNESCO Honorary Ambassador for the Decade of Literacy in the context of the United Nations Literacy Decade (2003–2012)
Claudia Cardinale Flag of Italy.svg  Italy 2000Promotion of women's rights, especially for women in the Mediterranean; Environment issues
Princess Caroline of Hanover Flag of Monaco.svg  Monaco 2003Protection of children and the family, empowerment of women and girls in Africa
Mauro Colagreco Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina 2022Biodiversity
Esther Coopersmith Flag of the United States.svg  United States 2009
Princess Dana Firas Flag of Jordan.svg  Jordan 2017Heritage protection and preservation _
Rossy de Palma Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 2022Cultural Diversity
Tan Dun Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China 2013
Viatcheslav Fetissov Flag of Russia.svg  Russia 2004for Sport
Vigdís Finnbogadóttir Flag of Iceland.svg  Iceland 1998Promotion of linguistic diversity, women's rights, education
Princess Firyal of Jordan Flag of Jordan.svg  Jordan 1992Promotion of the Education for All initiative, humanitarian actions, World Heritage, women's rights, especially Arab women
Sen Genshitsu Flag of Japan.svg  Japan 2012
Nizan Guanaes Flag of Brazil.svg  Brazil 2011
Herbie Hancock Flag of the United States.svg  United States 2011
Bahia Hariri Flag of Lebanon.svg  Lebanon 2000Preservation of World Heritage, education, culture, women's rights and sustainable development in the Arab world
Vitaly Ignatenko Flag of Russia.svg  Russia 2008Building of the capacities of the Russian language journalists and promotion of the free circulation of ideas in the Russian-speaking world
Jean Michel Jarre Flag of France.svg  France 1993Protection of the environment (water, fight against desertification, renewable energies), youth and tolerance, safeguarding of World Heritage
Beate Klarsfeld and Serge Klarsfeld Flag of France.svg  France 2015UNESCO Honorary Ambassadors and Special Envoys for Education about the History of Holocaust and Genocide Prevention
Naomi Kawase Flag of Japan.svg  Japan 2021for Cultural and Creative Industries
Nasser David Khalili Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom 2012Promotion of intercultural dialogue and promotion of peace through education and culture.
Deeyah Khan Flag of Norway.svg  Norway 2016Artistic freedom and creativity
Marc Ladreit de Lacharrière Flag of France.svg  France 2009Education about History of Holocaust and genocide prevention.
Princess Lalla Meryem of Morocco Flag of Morocco.svg  Morocco 2001Protection of childhood and women's rights
Princess LAURENTIEN of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands 2009UNESCO Special Envoy on Literacy for Development
Peng Liyuan Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China 2014UNESCO Special Envoy for the Advancement of Girl's and Women’s Education
Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn of Thailand Flag of Thailand.svg  Thailand 2005Empowerment of Minority Children and the Preservation of their Intangible Cultural Heritage
Jean Malaurie Flag of France.svg  France 2007 [5] In charge of arctic polar issues, promoting environmental issues and safeguarding the culture and knowledge of the peoples of the Arctic
Grand Duchess María Teresa of Luxembourg Flag of Luxembourg.svg  Luxembourg 1997Education, Women's rights, microfinance and campaign against poverty
Denis Matsuev Flag of Russia.svg  Russia 2014Promotion of musical education and his efforts to support young talent through the New Names Foundation.
Maria Francesca MerloniFlag of Italy.svg  Italy 2017
Oskar Metsavaht Flag of Brazil.svg  Brazil 2011
Vera Michalski-Hoffmann Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg  Switzerland 2016
Hayat Sindi Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Saudi Arabia 2012Promotion of science education for Arab women
Vik Muniz Flag of Brazil.svg  Brazil 2011
Kitín Muñoz Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 1997Protection and promotion of indigenous cultures and their environment
Alexandra Ochirova Flag of Russia.svg  Russia 2012
Ute-Henriette Ohoven Flag of Germany.svg  Germany 1992UNESCO Special Ambassador for Education of Children in Need
Kim Phuc Phan Thi Flag of Vietnam.svg  Vietnam 1994Protection and education for children, orphans and innocent victims of war
Judith Pisar Flag of the United States.svg  United States 2017UNESCO Special Envoy for Cultural Diplomacy
Susana Rinaldi Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina 1992Street children, Culture of Peace
Hedva Ser Flag of France.svg  France 2011Cultural diplomacy
Mintimer Shaïmiev Flag of Russia.svg  Russia 2017UNESCO Special Envoy for Interculural Dialogue
SA Sheikha Moza Bint Nasser Flag of Qatar.svg  Qatar 2003Special Envoy for Basic and Higher Education
Jaqueline Silva Flag of Brazil.svg  Brazil 2009
Hayat Sindi Flag of Saudi Arabia.svg  Saudi Arabia 2012Promotion de l'enseignement scientifique pour les femmes arabes
Princess Sumaya bint El Hassan Flag of Jordan.svg  Jordan 2017Pour la science au service de la paix
Salif Traoré Flag of Cote d'Ivoire.svg  Ivory Coast 2012
Zurab Tsereteli Flag of Georgia.svg  Georgia 1996Cultural and artistic projects
Marianna Vardinoyannis Flag of Greece.svg  Greece 1999Protection of childhood; promotion of cultural Olympics; humanitarian relief for war victims
Sunny Varkey Flag of India.svg  India 2012Promoter of education. Currently in United Arab Emirates.
Milú Villela Flag of Brazil.svg  Brazil 2004Voluntary Action and Basic Education in Latin America
Forest Whitaker Flag of the United States.svg  United States 2011UNESCO Special Envoy for Peace and Reconciliation

Former Ambassadors

NameCountryTenure as AmbassadorLink
Ivonne A-Baki Flag of Ecuador.svg  Equador 2010-2020
Ara Abramian Flag of Russia.svg  Russia 2003 - 2022
Mehriban Aliyeva Flag of Azerbaijan.svg  Azerbaijan 2004 - 2022Promotion and safeguarding of intangible cultural heritage, especially oral traditions and expressions
José Antonio Abreu Flag of Venezuela.svg  Venezuela 1998 - 2018
Paul Ahyi Flag of Cote d'Ivoire.svg  Ivory Coast 2009 - 2010
Virgilijus Alekna Flag of Lithuania.svg  Lithuania 2007 - 2020
Alicia Alonso Flag of Cuba.svg  Cuba 2002 - 2019
Patrick Baudry Flag of France.svg  France 1999 - 2020
Pierre Bergé Flag of France.svg  France 1992 - 2017
Montserrat Caballé Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 1994 - 2018
Pierre Cardin Flag of France.svg  France 1991 - 2020
Maha al-Khalil Chalabi Flag of Lebanon.svg  Lebanon 2016 - 2022Heritage protection and preservation in Tyre
Marin Constantin Flag of Romania.svg  Romania 1992–2011
Cheick Modibo Diarra Flag of Mali.svg  Mali 1998 - 2020
Miguel Angel Estrella Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina 1989 - 2022Promotion of Culture of Peace and tolerance through music
Juan Diego Florez Flag of Peru.svg  Peru 2012 - 2020
Sheikh Ghassan I. Shaker Flag of Oman.svg  Oman 1989–2011
Ivry Gitlis Flag of Israel.svg  Israel 1998 - 2020
Christine Hakim Flag of Indonesia.svg  Indonesia 2008 - 2020
Ikuo Hirayama Flag of Japan.svg  Japan 1989–2009
S. Exc. M. Mwai Kibaki Flag of Kenya.svg  Kenya 2005 - 2022For Water in Africa
Lily Marinho Flag of Brazil.svg  Brazil 1999–2011
Rabah Madjer Flag of Algeria.svg  Algeria 2011 - 2020
Nelson Mandela Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa 2005 - 2013
Rigoberta Menchú Tum Flag of Guatemala.svg  Guatemala 1996 - 2020
Yehudi Menuhin Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg  Switzerland
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom
1992–1999 [6]
Cristina Owen-Jones Flag of Italy.svg  Italy 2004 - 2020
Renzo Piano Flag of Italy.svg  Italy ........ - 2014
Samuel Pisar Flag of the United States.svg  United States ........ - 2015
Ivo Pogorelić Flag of Croatia.svg  Croatia
Flag of Serbia.svg  Serbia
1988–2009 [7] [8]
Mstislav Rostropovich Flag of Russia.svg  Russia 1998–2007 [6]
Yazid Sabeg Flag of France.svg  France 2010 - 2020
Serik Sapiyev Flag of Kazakhstan.svg  Kazakhstan 2013 - 2020
Giancarlo Elia Valori Flag of Italy.svg  Italy 2001 - 2022Safeguarding of Intangible Heritage

See also

Related Research Articles

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WHO Goodwill Ambassador is an official postnominal honorific title, title of authority, legal status and job description assigned to those goodwill ambassadors and advocates who are designated by the United Nations. WHO goodwill ambassadors are celebrity advocates of the World Health Organization (WHO) and use their talent and fame to advocate for health and well-being.

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UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador is an official postnominal honorific title, title of authority, legal status and job description assigned to those goodwill ambassadors and advocates who are designated by the United Nations. The United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) along with other United Nations agencies, has long enlisted the voluntary services and support of prominent individuals as goodwill ambassadors to advocate causes. Their fame helps amplify the urgent and universal message of human development and international cooperation, helping to accelerate programmes for children and youth. UNICEF is responsible for a wide-variety of educational and health projects. UNICEF is greatly responsible for the eradication of polio campaign. There are over 250 UNICEF goodwill ambassadors.

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References

  1. United Nations, Staff (3 June 2021). "List of UNESCO Goodwill Ambassadors, Artists for Peace and Champions". UNESCO Goodwill Ambassadors. United Nations. Retrieved 8 November 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  2. UNESCO.org: Projects and activities supported by UNESCO Goodwill Ambassadors
  3. "Mexican actress Yalitza Aparicio named UNESCO goodwill ambassador for indigenous peoples", ABC 7, 4 October 2019
  4. UNESCO.org: Laura Bush named Honorary Ambassador, 13-02-2003
  5. UNESCO.org: Professor Jean Malaurie joins ranks of UNESCO Goodwill Ambassadors, 17-07-2007
  6. 1 2 Brochure of UNESCO Goodwill Ambassadors, page 30
  7. "Ivo Pogorelich". Xavier University.
  8. "biography – Ivo Pogorelich".