Press release

Rossy de Palma named UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador

Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO, will appoint Spanish actor Rossy de Palma as Goodwill Ambassador for Cultural Diversity at a ceremony at the Organization’s Headquarters on Monday.
Rossy de Palma UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador

The ceremony will take place on 17 October at 4pm at UNESCO headquarters, 7 place de Fontenoy, Paris 7. The press is invited to arrive at the reception desk at least 15min before. Mandatory accreditation can be obtained here.

Known for her combativeness, generosity and commitment to equality, Rossy de Palma will contribute to disseminating and promoting UNESCO’s values and actions in favour of cultural diversity.

In line with the roadmap the Director-General will entrust to Ms de Palma on Monday, the newly named Goodwill Ambassador will focus on defending the status of the artist, enhancing indigenous peoples’ cultures and promoting gender equality in the cultural sector.

A complete and committed artist

Actor, model, singer and visual artist, Rossy de Palma made a name for herself through her roles in the films of Pedro Almodóvar and went on to work with other directors among them Robert Altman, Mike Figgis, Terry Gilliam and Patrice Leconte. Last May, she chaired the Caméra d’or jury at the Cannes Film Festival.

From the very beginning, Ms de Palma has been known for her outspokenness, her rejection of fatalism and for taking a stand. She denounces the tyranny of the gaze of others, to which she had been subjected since childhood, and which often stigmatizes difference.

She rejects all forms of discrimination and ill-treatment based on physical particularities and has notably participated in UNESCO’s 2020 United against racism campaign. Ms de Palma also promotes gender equality, advocating better representation of women at all levels of society.

Press contact

Thomas Mallard
Thomas
Mallard
Press officer

Phone: +33145682293