Goodwill Ambassadors

Snapshots

Eijin Nimura’s Performance and talk at "Human Festa —Human Rights and Peace Gathering" in Ichikawa City, next to Tokyo, on December 4.

"This event was part of a series of human rights awareness activities held throughout Japan during Human Rights Week, from December 4 to 10 every year, to promote the concept of respect for human rights. The music I played was a selection of pieces that fit the purpose of the gathering, and a sign language interpreter was also present during the talk. As for the content of the talk, I cited the great violoncellist, Pablo Casals, who fled the country in the first half of the 20th century to resist Spanish fascism, which was brought to a dictatorship by Civil War, and never set foot on his homeland again, but instead made a lifelong appeal for peace and freedom in the world through music. In addition, through my 24 years of activities as UNESCO Artist for Peace, including support in conflict zones, disaster areas and dialogue among people with disabilities, that in order to protect human rights, which should be equal, as many people as possible should have mindset to put the happiness of others before their own happiness, in other words, whether we can always put ourselves in others' shoes is crucial, I argued."

After a performance in 2018, the International Choir and Philharmonic Orchestra, UNESCO Artist for Peace, came to interpret, on November 20, 2022, in the Grandes Ecuries of the Château de Chantilly, a highly symbolic piece of European musical heritage: Carmina Burana by Carl Orff.

"It was a great honor for me on November 17, 2022, to inaugurate the Tree of Peace in Samarkand, Uzbekistan in front of the "Silk Road" at the International University of Tourism and Cultural Heritage. I would like to express my gratitude to the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of tourism and Cultural Heritage of Uzbekistan, H.E Mr Aziz Abdul Chakimov, the UNESCO’s ADG of Education Mrs. Stefania Giannini, H.E the Uzbekistan's Ambassador to UNESCO, Mr Umid Shadiev and German State Secretary of Economic and Cooperation Mr Niels Annen.

I am tracing the Road to Peace by planting the Tree of Peace around the world in order to create a universal path of dialogue and tolerance, but also for Peace education.

The Tree of Peace in Samarkand is the 18th one around the world."

Hedva Ser, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Cultural Diplomacy

UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, Ute Henriette Ohoven and her daughter Claudia Jerger participated to the Transforming Education Summit at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. They were able to present their AI-Education Chatbot innovation "RORI" : https://rori.ai/

Congratulations to our Goodwill Ambassador and Special Envoy for Peace and Reconciliation, Forest Whitaker, as he is set to receive the honorary Palme D’Or in Cannes this year for his cinematographic and humanitarian lifework.

We stand by his words: preparing a world where everyone has dignity and power to make the world a better, more beautiful place!

The Global Gate, the world's largest mobile artwork travels around the world, from Frankfurt airport to Dubai, to support the #Art4GlobalGoals awareness campaign initiated by our UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador and president of the YOU Foundation, Dr. h.c. Ute-Henriette Ohoven.

Standing over 20 meters tall, the Global Gate is in the image of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin and is made of 37 former shipping containers. It highlights the 17 SDGs which have been interpreted by the young German artist, Leon Löwentraut. On each of the 10 walls, the content of the SDGs is explained in 12 different languages and thus made understandable for all citizens of the world.
A photo campaign called "My future" has been included. It features impressive portraits of children's faces from around the world, which visitors can look at in the arcades and which accompany them as they pass through the portal.
Built on the Burj Plaza, close to Dubai EXPO 2020, the Global Gate makes an important contribution to the promotion of the Sustainable Development Goals and the associated efforts of participating governments, the private sector and civil societies.

With an emblematic event, tribute to the work and legacy of Nelson Mandela, which took place at the Zappeion Megaron, in Athens, Greece, on Wednesday, July 7, 2021, the "Marianna V. Vardinoyannis Foundation" honored the International Nelson Mandela Day (July 18).

At the initiative of the UN-awarded with the “Nelson Mandela Prize 2020-2025”, Mrs. Marianna V. Vardinoyannis, and in the presence of the CEO of the "Nelson Mandela Foundation" Mr. Sello Hatang, heads of International Organizations and important international personalities participated in the Tribute Event entitled "Human Rights and Education: The vision for a better future", paying tribute to the fighter - a symbol of human rights. Video here.

Jazz Day 2021: A Decade of Inspiration. A Conversation with Herbie Hancock and UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay.

Interview with Nadia Nadim on RTL, May 31, 2021.

Designated UNESCO Champion for Girls' and Women's Education in 2019, she spoke about her role with the Organization:

"For me, education is important. If you want to change something in the world, it is with education. That's the reason (for her involvement with UNESCO). They are doing a fantastic job. There are many children who can't study or go to school. I hope this will change because if you want to change something, it will be with school."