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  • Eminent Personalities amplify the mission of UNESCO
    UNESCO’s mission and activities are extended and amplified by an outstanding group of eminent personalities who have generously accepted to use their talent and status to help focus the world’s attention on the work of the Organization. These UNESCO Eminent Personalities include five groups:


    News

    American film star Forest Whitaker named UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador
    Whiteker_DG_small.jpgUNESCO Director General Irina Bokova designated American actor, director and producer Forest Whitaker as UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Peace and Reconciliation. The nomination ceremony took place at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris on 21 June, at 6 p.m. More

    Brazilians Nizan Guanaes, Oskar Metsavaht and Vik Muniz named UNESCO Goodwill Ambassadors
    3_small.jpgThree Brazilian personalities - businessman Nizan Guanaes, designer Oskar Metsavaht and artist Vik Muniz - were named UNESCO Goodwill Ambassadors for a period of two years by Director-General Irina Bokova at a ceremony on 27 May at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. More

    Chinese opera star Zhang Jun named UNESCO Artist for Peace
    ZJ small.jpgUNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova designated acclaimed Chinese opera performer Zhang Jun as UNESCO Artist for Peace for a period of two years during a ceremony at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris on 26 May, at 6 p.m. More

    HRH Princess Firyal of Jordan, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Education for All, visits UNESCO’s Office in New Delhi
    HRH Princess Firyal visit to New Delhi Office2small.pngHRH Princess Firyal of Jordan, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Education for All, undertook an official visit to the Organization’s Office in New Delhi on 17 January 2011. The aim of this visit was to meet with Mr. Armoogum Parsuramen, Director and UNESCO Representative to India, Bhutan, Maldives and Sri Lanka, in order to be informed on the work of the Office and discuss points of mutual interest. Her Royal Highness is a firm believer of the idea that UNESCO Goodwill Ambassadors should visit UNESCO’s field offices during their travels, as a moral-boosting gesture. More

    UNESCO Director General expresses her sadness at the death of Goodwill Ambassador Lily Marinho
    Lily Marinhosmall.bmpThe Director General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, has expressed her sadness at the news of the death of the Brazilian Goodwill Ambassador to the Organization and patron of the arts, Lily Marinho, on 5 January in Rio de Janeiro. She was aged 89. More

    UNESCO Director-General expresses sorrow over death of Mozambican artist Malangatana
    malangatana small.pngThe Director-General of UNESCO Irina Bokova expressed her sorrow over the death of Malangatana, renowned Mozambican artist and a UNESCO Artist for Peace. More

    Mrs Marianna Vardinoyannis, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, launches her new book entitled 'Labouring with the challenges of female identity: Insights into the Minoan society'
    unesco A (024)small.JPGOn 14 December 2010, Mrs Marianna Vardinoyannis, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, launched her new book entitled Labouring with the challenges of female identity: Insights into the Minoan society at a ceremony that took place at the Organization’s Headquarters in Paris. More

    UNESCO Goodwill Ambassadors, Special Envoys and Artists for Peace attend UNESCO’s 65 Anniversary Celebration event
    80345974small.JPGOn 14 December 2010, UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova was joined at UNESCO’s Headquarters by her three predecessors Amadou-Mahtar M’Bow (1974 to 1987), Federico Mayor (1987 to 1999) and Koïchiro Matsuura (1999 to 2009) to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the adoption of UNESCO’s constitution, signed in London on 16 November 1945. More

    Haiti not forgotten: the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean designated as UNESCO Special Envoy for Haiti
    m_jean1.jpgIrina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO, designated the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean as UNESCO Special Envoy for Haiti at a ceremony that took place at UNESCO’s Paris Headquarters on 8 November. More

    Hungarian folk vocalist Márta Sebestyén designated UNESCO Artist for Peace
    803403011.JPGHungarian folk vocalist Márta Sebestyén has been named UNESCO Artist for Peace by the Director-General, Irina Bokova. More

    World Orchestra for Peace designated UNESCO Artist for Peace
    CHR_1549.dg.peace_orchestra3.8x6smaller.jpg“I am very pleased to designate this unique World Orchestra as UNESCO Artists for Peace. Each member of your talented ensemble represents the universal desire to promote cultural diversity, intercultural dialogue and a culture of peace.” With these words, UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova presented the diploma of the Organization to Charles Kaye, Director of the World Orchestra for Peace, at a ceremony in the Royal Albert Hall in London on 5 August 2010. More

    Leading architect Zaha Hadid named UNESCO Artist for Peace
    80329113small.JPGZaha Hadid, the renowned Iraqi-born British architect, was designated UNESCO Artist for Peace in a ceremony at Organization Headquarters on 24 June. More

    Mrs Mehriban Aliyeva, the First Lady of Azerbaijan, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador and the President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation meets with the Director-General of UNESCO, Mrs Irina Bokova
    80324504small.JPGMrs Mehriban Aliyeva, First Lady of Azerbaijan, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador and President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, met with the Director-General of UNESCO, Mrs Irina Bokova at UNESCO Headquarters on 28 April 2010. More

    The Eminent Personalities in the service of UNESCO resolutely support UNESCO’s response to the Haiti disaster
    80286803small.jpgA devastating earthquake hit Haiti on Tuesday 12 January 2010. Several thousand pupils and teachers were killed in this disaster that left 15.000 primary and 1.500 secondary schools destroyed or severely damaged. UNESCO’s response to the devastating impact of the Haiti earthquake became an immediate priority. In such situations, the need for education, culture and information is vital and UNESCO, the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization, mobilized its expertise in order to help Haitian society with its long-term reconstruction. More

    Haitian writer Frankétienne was designated UNESCO Artist for Peace
    80321197small.jpg24 March. Haitian writer Frankétienne was designated UNESCO Artist for Peace by the Director-General of UNESCO, Mrs Irina Bokova. The ceremony took place during the Forum ‘Rebuilding the social, cultural and intellectual tissue of Haiti’, held on the same day at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris. More

    Her Majesty Queen Rania and His Royal Highness Prince Talal Bin Abdul Aziz inaugurate Arab Open University facility in Jordan
    university2small.jpgHer Majesty Queen Rania of Jordan and His Royal Highness Prince Talal Bin Abdul Aziz, President of the Arab Gulf Programme for the United Nations Development Organization (AGFUND) inaugurated the new premises of the Arab Open University (AOU) in Tareq, Jordan on Wednesday 24 February 2010. More

    Mehriban Aliyeva, the first Lady of Azerbaijan and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador was received into the national order of the legion of honor of the French Republic
    untitledsmall.bmpOn February 15, Azerbaijan`s First Lady, President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Mehriban Aliyeva was awarded with the Officer rank of the Legion of Honor by the French President Mr Nicolas Sarkozy,for outstanding service and loyalty to France. More

    United Nations Messengers of Peace and Goodwill Ambassadors Mobilize to Assist Haiti
    United Nations Messengers of Peace and Goodwill Ambassadors acted quickly in the days following the 12 January earthquake in Haiti to raise money, increase awareness and help the people of Haiti rebuild their country and their lives.

    The Messengers of Peace and Goodwill Ambassadors, public figures from the world of art, academia, literature, sports and entertainment who advocate on issues of importance to the United Nations, participated in a range of activities related to Haiti’s recovery efforts. More

    Ivonne A-Baki designated UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador
    80316520small.jpgIvonne A-Baki, artist from Ecuador, was designated as a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador by Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO, at a ceremony on 15 February at Organization Headquarters. More

    Director-General pays tribute to artist Paul Ahyi, UNESCO Artist for Peace
    paul_ahyi_01_20012.jpgIrina Bokova, the Director-General of UNESCO, paid tribute to Professor Paul Ahyi, a UNESCO Artist for Peace. Mr Ahyi died on 4 January in Lome (Togo). More

    Director-General pays tribute to musician Jean Serge Essous, UNESCO Artist for Peace
    The Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, today paid tribute to Congolese musician Jean Serge Essous, UNESCO Artist for Peace, who died on 25 November in Brazzaville (Congo). More

    UNESCO saddened by the loss of UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Professor Ikuo Hirayama
    Professor Hirayama - brochure2.jpgIrina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO, expressed her deep sadness at the death of Professor Ikuo Hirayama, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, on 2 December at the age of 79. More

    Mrs Irina Gueorguieva Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO
    DSC_1144_200[1]2.jpgThe 35th session of the General Conference of UNESCO on 15 October elected Irina Bokova as Director-General of the Organization. Ms Bokova was designated by UNESCO’s Executive Board on 22 September. More

    Princess Laurentien of the Netherlands designated UNESCO Special Envoy on Literacy for Development
    HRH Princess Laurentien.jpgOn the 27 March 2009 UNESCO Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura designated H.R.H. Princess Laurentien of the Netherlands as UNESCO Special Envoy on Literacy for Development in recognition of her “outstanding commitment to the promotion of education and her profound dedication to the Organization’s ideals and objectives”. More

    The First Lady of the Republic of Azerbaijan and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Mrs.Mehriban Aliyeva visits 'Elpida', the Association of Friends of Children with Cancer in Athens, Greece.
    Mrs Aliyeva talks to children.JPGOn 16 February 2009 and on the occasion of an official visit to Greece by the President of Azerbaijan, the First Lady of Azerbaijan and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva visited the Elpida (Hope), the Association for the Friends of Children with Cancer, established by another Goodwill Ambassador, Mrs.Marianna Vardinoyannis. More

    Jean Michel Jarre acts as Master of Ceremonies for the Global Launch of the International Year of Astronomy (2009)
    Mr Jean Michel Jarre.jpgMr Jean Michel Jarre, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, served as Master of Ceremonies the Global Launch ceremony of the International Year of Astronomy(2009), which took place at UNESCO Headquarters on 15 and 16 January. More

    British children’s book author and illustrator Lauren Child is nominated UNESCO Artist for Peace by the Director-General
    Ms Child.jpgOn 12 December 2008, the Director-General of UNESCO, Mr. Koïchiro Matsuura, designated the British children’s book author, Lauren Child, as UNESCO Artist for Peace. The ceremony took place in UNESCO Headquarters in Paris and was graced by the presence of H. Exc. Mr George Anastassopoulos President of UNESCO’s General Conference and Ambassador, Permanent Delegate of Greece to UNESCO; Mr Peter Landymore, Permanent Delegate of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to UNESCO and Mr Amri Aminov and Mr. Dani Karavan, UNESCO Artists for Peace. More

    Mrs Chantal Biya, the first lady of Cameroon, is designated Goodwill Ambassador by the Director-General
    UNESCO's Director-General and Mrs Chantal Biya, First Lady of Cameroon.JPGThe Director- General of UNESCO, Mr Koichiro Matsuura, designated Mrs Chantal Biya, First Lady of Cameroon, as UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Education and Social Inclusion, in a ceremony that took place in UNESCO Headquarters on 14 November 2008. The ceremony was attended by many notable personalities such as Mrs Haman Adama, Cameroonian Minister for Basic Education; Ms Rama Yade, the French Foreign and European Affairs Minister’s Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Human Rights; H.Exc. Mr.Lejeune Mbella Mbella, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary ,Permanent Delegate to UNESCO of Cameroon. More

    Her Highness Sheikha Mozah of Qatar delivers the closing speech for an international conference on the education in Iraq.
    Her Highness Sheikha Mozah addressing conference.JPGOn the 1st November 2008, Her Highness Sheikha Mozah Bint Nasser Al Misned, First Lady of Qatar, UNESCO Special Envoy for Basic and Higher Education and Chairperson of the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, joined Mr Koichiro Matsuura, Director General of UNESCO in closing the international Conference on the Right to Education in Crisis-Affected Countries, entitled ‘Stop Jeopardizing the Future of Iraq’. The conference attracted more than 200 participants and was held under the high auspices of Her Highness Sheikha Mozah. It took place in UNESCO headquarters in Paris and was enriched by the presence of many notable personalities such as former United Nations Secretary-General, Mr. Boutros Boutros Ghali, the President of the Parliamentary Education Committee of Iraq, Dr Alaa Makki, the Minister of Education of Iraq, Dr Khudair Al-Khuza and Member of European Parliament and Chair of the AMAR International Charitable Foundation, Baroness Emma Nicholson de Winterbourne. More

    Her Excellency Ms Vigdís Finnbogadóttir attends thematic debate on the protection of indigenous and endangered languages.
    Prix Houphouet Boigny 2008 small 2.JPGThe former President of Iceland and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Languages, Her Excellency Ms Vigdís Finnbogadóttir attended on the 7th October 2008 a debate entitled ‘Protecting Indigenous and Endangered Languages, and the Role of Languages in Promoting Education for All in the Context of Sustainable Development’, held at UNESCO Headquarters on the margins of the 180th session of the Executive Board. More

    Mr. Juan Luís Guerra is designated UNESCO Artist for Peace
    Mr Matsuura and Mr Guerra.jpgOn 15 September 2008 Mr Juan Luís Guerra was designated UNESCO Artist for Peace by the Director-General of UNESCO Mr Matsuura. The ceremony took place at the Organization Headquarters, in the presence of Mr Francisco Javier Garcia, Minister of Tourism of the Dominican Republic, Mr Avelino Stanley, Vice-Minister of Culture of the Dominican Republic and H.E. Ms Laura Faxas, Ambassador and Permanent Delegate of the Dominican Republic to the UNESCO. More

    Designation of Mr. Amri Aminov as UNESCO Artist for Peace
    M. Aminov.JPGMr. Matsuura, the Director-General of the UNESCO designated Mr. Amri Aminov, the famous Tajik sculptor, as UNESCO Artist for Peace. The ceremony was held at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris and was attended by distinguished personalities like His Excellency Mr. Saymumin Yatimov, Ambassador and Permanent Delegate of the Republic of Tajikistan to UNESCO and Mr. Pierre Morange, Member of the French Parliament and Mayor of Chambourcy, Yvelines. More

    HRH Princess Firyal of Jordan, participated in the United Nations Roundtable on education and health, held in New York on September 25th 2008.
    SAR Princesse Firyal.JPGHRH Princess Firyal of Jordan, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, participated in the United Nations Roundtable on education and health on 25 September 2008 in New York on the occasion of the High Level Summit on the Millennium Development Goals. More

    The First Lady of Azerbaijan and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, Mrs. Mehriban Aliyeva delivers her speech at Youth Employment Summit held in Baku on 24 - 27 September 2008
    Mrs Aliyeva.jpgOn 24 September 2008 Mrs Mehriban Aliyeva, First Lady of the Republic of Azerbaijan and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador continues her tireless activities to expand her achievements in her usual working fields: culture, education, healthcare and youth. This time, Baku became a host city for another important international gathering –the YES Summit of 2008. More

    Jordi Savall and Montserrat Figueras designated UNESCO Artists for Peace
    Savall-&-Figueras_tn.jpgRenowned Spanish viola da gambist, conductor and composer Jordi Savall and soprano Montserrat Figueras were designated UNESCO Artists for Peace by the Director-General, Koïchiro Matsuura, in a ceremony at Organization Headquarters on 17 June in the presence of Ambassador Maria Jesús San Segundo, Spain’s Permanent Delegate to UNESCO. More

    Mehriban Aliyeva organizes an International Conference on Expanding the Role of Women in Cross Cultural Dialogue
    Baku1_tn.jpgOn 10 June 2008 Mrs Mehriban Aliyeva, First Lady of the Republic of Azerbaijan and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, opened the Baku International Conference on Expanding the Role of Women in Cross Cultural Dialogue. More

    Eighth Annual Meeting of UNESCO Goodwill Ambassadors
    Annual-Meeting_tn.jpgOn 20 May 2008 UNESCO Director-General Mr Koïchiro Matsuura opened the 8th Annual Meeting of UNESCO Goodwill Ambassadors at the Organization’s Headquarters in Paris. More

    Mehriban Aliyeva hosts the UNESCO Regional Literacy Conference - HRH Princess Firyal and HE Mrs Vigdís Finnbogadóttir chair panels
    BAKU_tn.jpgMrs Mehriban Aliyeva, First Lady of Azerbaijan, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador and President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, hosted the fifth in the series of the UNESCO Regional Conferences in Support of Global Literacy from 14 to 16 May 2008 in Baku, Azerbaijan. More

    Maria de Medeiros visits Mozambique in her capacity as UNESCO Artist for Peace
    matalana 2_tn.jpgMs Maria de Medeiros, the Portuguese actress, filmmaker, singer and UNESCO Artist for Peace, visited Mozambique from 25 to 30 April 2008, for a concert within the context of the International Music Festival of Maputo. More




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