Maria Lourdes Egydio Villela (Milú Villela) was named UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Voluntary Action and Basic Education in Latin America in recognition of her outstanding commitment to education and her attachment to its ideals and aims.
She is especially well-known throughout Brazil for her work with volunteer movements and youth. In 1994 she established Despertar (Wake Up), a community association offering technical and vocational courses for teenagers. Despertar also offers medical and psychological help and provides an income generation programme for adults which brings direct benefits to some 7,000 people every year.
In 1997, she founded the Săo Paulo Centre for Volunteers (CVSP), to encourage and train people to dedicate their time and talent for social improvement. Over the past three years, more than 50,000 volunteers have participated in the Centre`s activities.
In 2001, she coordinated the United Nations International Year of Volunteers in Brazil, and currently heads Faça Parte (Be Part of It), a non-governmental organization encouraging volunteer work, especially among young people, for the benefit of schools throughout the country.
Sixth Annual Meeting of UNESCO’s Goodwill Ambassadors From 15 to 16 March 2006, UNESCO Headquarters in Paris was the venue for an impressive gathering of the Organization’s Goodwill Ambassadors. The 2006 Annual Meeting of UNESCO Goodwill Ambassadors, convened by the Director-General, brought together a large number of these outstanding personalities, who come from the worlds of art, film, music, literature, charity and public affairs. More
Milú Villela visits UNESCO Headquarters On 15 July, Mrs Milú Villela, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Voluntary Action and Basic Education in Latin America, visited UNESCO Headquarters. More
2005 Annual Meeting of UNESCO Goodwill Ambassadors Education for All, Education for Sustainable Development and UNESCO’s response to natural disasters were the three themes on the agenda for the Annual Meeting of UNESCO Goodwill Ambassadors, which took place on March 3 and 4 2005 at Organization Headquarters. UNESCO Director-General Koďchiro Matsuura opened the session, followed by a speech by Michael Abiola Omolewa, President of the General Conference. More
Milu Villela designated UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Voluntary Action and Basic Education in Latin America UNESCO Director-General Koichiro Matsuura named Maria Lourdes Egydio Villela (Milu Villela) as Goodwill Ambassador for Voluntary Action and Basic Education in Latin America during a ceremony in the Brazilian capital on 10 November 2004. Ms Villela was designated “in recognition of her outstanding commitment to education and her attachment to the ideals and aims” of UNESCO. More
