NEW YORK, Oct. 12 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Actor Orlando Bloom was appointed
a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador today, in recognition of his commitment to the
rights of children around the world.
"Advocacy from UNICEF Goodwill Ambassadors helps build momentum to improve
the lives of children around the world," said UNICEF Executive Director, Ann
M. Veneman. "We are proud to have Orlando Bloom as one of the strong voices
for vulnerable children."
Mr. Bloom has already seen the work UNICEF is doing in Nepal, Russia, and
Sarajevo. And he is committed to supporting UNICEF's efforts. "I look forward
to working with UNICEF as they continue to make the world a better place for
children," he said.
Mr. Bloom said he wants to be an active Ambassador for the children's
organization. He will follow in the footsteps of such luminaries as Audrey
Hepburn, Danny Kaye, Shakira, Sir Roger Moore, David Beckham, Jackie Chan, Mia
Farrow, Vanessa Redgrave and many others. These ambassadors devote their time
to raising awareness of UNICEF, and influencing global policy on behalf of
children around the world.
Mr. Bloom has supported UNICEF's work since 2007, when he first visited
schools in the remote western districts of Kaski and Chitwan, two of the
poorest areas of Nepal. He was able to see how UNICEF's water and sanitation
programmes benefit local families. In Nepal, Orlando spoke about the
importance of education; and when asked by the children, he agreed to perform
a small role in their local school radio production.
Mr. Bloom went to Nepal again in June 2008 to see how UNICEF and its partners
are working to provide clean water for children and families. He has also
visited the Krasnoselsky centre in Moscow, a shelter for children from
economically vulnerable families.
Mr. Bloom said, "UNICEF doesn't just deliver humanitarian aid, which is what
they are known for all over the world. They also educate and provide tools
which help women and children face challenges specific to their own lives. I
responded to how UNICEF works as much as I did to the work itself. I look
forward to learning more and to supporting UNICEF any way I can."
To celebrate 20 years of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, Orlando
Bloom will, this week, record a Public Service Announcement (PSA) for UNICEF
on the importance of clean and accessible drinking water. The PSA can be
watched on: http://www.unicef.org/rightsite/364_374.htm
About UNICEF
UNICEF is on the ground in over 150 countries and territories to help
children survive and thrive, from early childhood through adolescence. The
world's largest provider of vaccines for developing countries, UNICEF supports
child health and nutrition, good water and sanitation, quality basic
education for all boys and girls, and the protection of children from
violence, exploitation, and AIDS. UNICEF is funded entirely by the
voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses, foundations and
governments
SOURCE U.S. Fund for UNICEF
Kate Donovan, UNICEF Media, +1-212-326-7452, kdonovan@unicef.org
