Goodwill of the greats: celebrities who lent their star power to the UN

An already remarkable woman in Hollywood, Jolie has been a UN ambassador since 2001, as well as the Special Envoy of UN High Commissioner for Refugees since 2012. She's focused on major crises that result in mass population displacements, and has also pleaded with UN parliaments to work together to stop sexual abuse being used as a weapon of war.

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Susan Sarandon - The actress was appointed UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in 1999 and has since helped raise awareness about child development and education programs in developing countries.

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Laurence Fishburne - The actor has been a UNICEF ambassador since 1996, traveling to visit children affected by HIV/AIDS, as well as war refugees and former child soldiers.

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Whoopi Goldberg - Whoopi Goldberg became a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in 2003 and has since been a vigorous advocate for the awareness of HIV/AIDS among children, and has spoken on natural disasters and encouraged people to donate.

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Pitbull - The American pop rapper, also known as Mr. Worldwide and the ‘Clean Water Here’ ambassador, paid a visit to the UN to discuss the global water crisis and initiatives to improve international access to clean water.

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Antonio Banderas - The actor was appointed a UN Goodwill Ambassador for the fight against poverty in 2010, seeking to halve world poverty by combating hunger, disease, illiteracy, environment degradation, and discrimination against women.

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Selena Gomez - The actress turned pop star was appointed UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in 2009 and has since played an active role in advocating for the world’s most vulnerable children by promoting campaigns as well as speaking at events.

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Shakira - As a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador from 2003, Shakira has focused on the accessibility of education for children worldwide.

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Jackie Chan - The actor was appointed a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF in 2004 and dedicated his role to providing hope for children who face an uncertain future because of economic hardship, injury, illness, or discrimination.

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Serena Williams - The famed tennis player was appointed as UNICEF international Goodwill Ambassador in 2011 and deeply supports the mission to provide quality education for the most vulnerable children.

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Anne Hathaway - Appointed a UN Goodwill Ambassador in 2016, the actress advocates for equal division of care work between men and women.

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David Beckham -

The retired soccer star was appointed UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in 2005 and naturally focused on UNICEF's Sports for Development Program.

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Celine Dion - The Canadian icon was named the UNESCO Artist for Peace in 2010 and a UN Ambassador against world hunger, showing consistent dedication to helping disadvantaged children and their families.

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Katy Perry - Appointed UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in 2013, the pop star has focused on engaging young people in the organization's efforts to improve the lives of vulnerable children and adolescents.

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Ricky Martin - The singer was appointed a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in 2003, with a focus on fighting for children’s rights in regards to child trafficking.

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Geri Halliwell - Also known as Ginger Spice, the former Spice Girl is a UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund) Goodwill Ambassador who spoke on the empowerment of women in developing countries, stressing the importance of reproductive and sexual health.

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Orlando Bloom - Appointed a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in 2009, the actor has repeatedly spoken highly of the agency’s humanitarian aid and education.

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Lucy Liu - The actress has been a UNICEF ambassador since 2004 and has traveled the globe in support of the mission to improve children's lives worldwide.

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Danny Glover - The American actor, director, and political activist was appointed Goodwill Ambassador by UNICEF in 2004 and spoke on the devastating effects of landmines on innocent children in Ethiopia.

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Téa Leoni - The American actress and producer has been a UNICEF ambassador since 2001 and a national board member of the US Fund for UNICEF since 2006.

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Liam Neeson - The actor said of his appointment as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in 2011 that he was deeply devoted to helping children overcome poverty, violence, disease, and discrimination across the world.

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Mira Sorvino - The American actress is a Goodwill Ambassador of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, and has encouraged countries to ratify the protocol to prevent, suppress, and punish human trafficking.

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Connie Britton - The actress was appointed Goodwill Ambassador in 2014 and made it her goal to raise awareness of the UN’s work to empower women and eradicate poverty.

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Ronan Keating - The Irish singer has been a Goodwill Ambassador for the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation since 2005 and he also provided the foreword to the 2010 UK Parliamentary Inquiry into Global Food Security.

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Alyssa Milano - The actress has been a UNICEF ambassador since 2003 and has since raised both funds and awareness in the mission to improve lives of children worldwide.

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Craig David - The British singer is a World Health Organization ambassador with a focus on preventing the spread of tuberculosis.

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Angie Harmon - The American actress and model has been a UNICEF ambassador since 2013 and has used her talent and fame to raise funds, educate, and advocate on behalf of the children who need it most.

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Joel Madden - Appointed a UNICEF ambassador in 2008, the lead vocalist for the American pop punk band Good Charlotte used his social networks and media interviews to encourage people to donate to the UN’s missions.

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Audrey Hepburn - A Goodwill Ambassador from 1989, the late actress started her relationship with UNICEF as someone receiving support after World War II, and ended it as a fierce advocate for the world's most vulnerable.

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Maria Sharapova -

The Russian tennis player had her role as a UN Goodwill Ambassador taken away after she admitted to taking a prohibited substance at the Australian Open, but she was later reinstated to continue her good work.

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BTS - The Korean musical sensation previously spoke at the UN in 2020 to encourage young people to stay strong during the covid-19 pandemic.

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Emma Watson - The ‘Harry Potter’ star opened up the “what is feminism” discussion after endorsing her HeForShe equality campaign in her role as UN Women Goodwill Ambassador.

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Mia Farrow -

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Nicole Kidman - The actress has been a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador since 2006, and has spoken on the limitless potential of women who are given a chance.

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Angelina Jolie -

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Susan Sarandon - The actress was appointed UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in 1999 and has since helped raise awareness about child development and education programs in developing countries.

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Laurence Fishburne - The actor has been a UNICEF ambassador since 1996, traveling to visit children affected by HIV/AIDS, as well as war refugees and former child soldiers.

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Shakira - As a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador from 2003, Shakira has focused on the accessibility of education for children worldwide.

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Anne Hathaway - Appointed a UN Goodwill Ambassador in 2016, the actress advocates for equal division of care work between men and women.

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David Beckham -

The retired soccer star was appointed UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in 2005 and naturally focused on UNICEF's Sports for Development Program.

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Katy Perry - Appointed UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in 2013, the pop star has focused on engaging young people in the organization's efforts to improve the lives of vulnerable children and adolescents.

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Ricky Martin - The singer was appointed a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in 2003, with a focus on fighting for children’s rights in regards to child trafficking.

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Orlando Bloom - Appointed a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in 2009, the actor has repeatedly spoken highly of the agency’s humanitarian aid and education.

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Lucy Liu - The actress has been a UNICEF ambassador since 2004 and has traveled the globe in support of the mission to improve children's lives worldwide.

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Téa Leoni - The American actress and producer has been a UNICEF ambassador since 2001 and a national board member of the US Fund for UNICEF since 2006.

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Connie Britton - The actress was appointed Goodwill Ambassador in 2014 and made it her goal to raise awareness of the UN’s work to empower women and eradicate poverty.

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Alyssa Milano - The actress has been a UNICEF ambassador since 2003 and has since raised both funds and awareness in the mission to improve lives of children worldwide.

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Craig David - The British singer is a World Health Organization ambassador with a focus on preventing the spread of tuberculosis.

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Maria Sharapova -

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Goodwill of the greats: celebrities who lent their star power to the UN

K-pop band BTS deliver speech at the UN General Assembly

21/09/21 | StarsInsider

CELEBRITY United nations

Over the years, it has become more and more important for celebrities, the omnipresent international figures constantly in our lives, to get behind a cause and lend their fame to a greater good.

At this year's UN General Assembly, South Korean President Moon Jae-in introduced the members of the boyband BTS as special presidential envoys. He deemed them an “exceptionally outstanding group of young men who are connecting with the youth across the world.” The seven members appeared before the room of UN ambassadors and delivered a seven-minute speech. The gravity of the situation was not lost on them, as a couple of the seasoned pop stars showed signs of nerves as they addressed the world leaders. As they took turns at the microphone, they promoted the use of covid-19 vaccines and spoke about ending extreme poverty, preserving the planet, and gender equality.

In addition to their speech, the band released the music video for their new song 'Permission to Dance,' which was filmed at the UN headquarters in New York.

Check out this gallery to see an impressive list of some of the world's most famous stars and the causes they've devoted their charitable efforts to.