WHO Goodwill Ambassador
WHO Goodwill Ambassador is an official postnominal honorific title, title of authority, legal status and job description assigned to those goodwill ambassadors and advocates who are designated by the United Nations. WHO goodwill ambassadors are celebrity advocates of the World Health Organization (WHO) and use their talent and fame to advocate for health and well-being.
Current WHO goodwill ambassadors
[edit]Current goodwill ambassadors, and the year they were appointed:[1]
| Ambassador | Country | Term | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amitabh Bachchan |  India |
2017 | Goodwill ambassador for awareness of Hepatitis[2] |
| Christine Kaseba-Sata |  Zambia |
2012–2014 | Doctor, Against Gender-based Violence[3] |
| Peng Liyuan |  China |
2011 | Vocal artist. Goodwill Ambassador for Tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS[4] |
| Jet Li | China |
2009–2014 | International film star. Goodwill Ambassador [5] |
| Yohei Sasakawa |  Japan |
2001 | Chairman, Nippon Foundation. Goodwill Ambassador for Leprosy Elimination |
| Craig David |  United Kingdom |
2010 | Singer. Goodwill Ambassador for the Stop TB Partnership |
| Nancy Brinker |  United States |
2009 | Founder, Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Goodwill Ambassador for Cancer Control [6] |
| Liya Kebede |  Ethiopia |
2005 | Goodwill Ambassador |
| Sylvie Vartan |  Bulgaria |
2005 | Goodwill Ambassador |
| Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra |  Austria |
2005 | Goodwill Ambassador |
Cancellation of status
[edit]On 21 October 2017 the WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus appointed Zimbabwe’s president Robert Mugabe as a WHO goodwill ambassador to help tackle non-communicable diseases for Africa. The appointment address praised Mugabe for his commitment to public health in Zimbabwe. The naming attracted widespread condemnation in WHO member states and international organisations due to Mugabe's poor record on human rights and presiding over a decline in Zimbabwe's public health. Following widespread criticism, Tedros Adhanom was forced to withdraw the appointment (cancel the title) the next day.[7][8]
See also
[edit]- Goodwill Ambassador
- FAO Goodwill Ambassador
- UNDP Goodwill Ambassador
- UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador
- UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador
- UNODC Goodwill Ambassador
- UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador
- UN Women Goodwill Ambassador
- UNIDO Goodwill Ambassador
- UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador
- WFP Goodwill Ambassador
- United Nations Messengers of Peace
References
[edit]- ^ Goodwill ambassadors. Retrieved 22/05/2015.
- ^ Correspondent, Special. "Bachchan appointed WHO ambassador for hepatitis". The Hindu. Retrieved 2017-05-18.
{{cite news}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^ Dr Christine Kaseba-Sata, WHO Goodwill Ambassador against Gender-based Violence. Retrieved 22/05/2015.
- ^ WHO appoints Chinese singer and health activist as Goodwill Ambassador. Retrieved 22/05/2015.
- ^ Jet Li, WHO Goodwill Ambassador. Retrieved 22/05/2015.
- ^ Nancy Goodman Brinker appointed Goodwill Ambassador. Retrieved 22/05/2015.
- ^ "WHO cancels Robert Mugabe goodwill ambassador role". BBC. October 22, 2017. Retrieved October 24, 2017.
- ^ "Director General rescinds Goodwill Ambassador appointment". WHO. October 22, 2017. Retrieved October 24, 2017.