New Delhi, December 1, 2011
Actor Aamir Khan with UNICEF representative in India Karen Hulsof after being appointed as the UN agency's Goodwill Ambassador in New Delhi on November 30, 2011.
Popular Bollywood actor-producer Aamir Khan has taken on a new role as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), teaming up with the UN agency to promote better nutrition for children in India.
"Mr Khan, 46, will use his profile to spotlight nutrition issues in India, where as many as one out of every two children is classified as malnourished, leaving them vulnerable to disease and health problems," a press release from UNICEF said.
“I realize there is a lot to be done and I hope that by lending my voice I can make a difference to the lives of children and hereby to the future of our country,” Khan said after the appointment was announced here yesterday.
Khan – who has already been working with UNICEF, the Government and prominent figures to create a national campaign on malnutrition – said he will focus his advocacy work on India’s most vulnerable and marginalized children.
Karin Hulshof, UNICEF’s representative in India, described Khan as a “compelling advocate” who can help to transform the lives of countless children.
“I am honored to formalize my association with UNICEF as their Ambassador to help raise awareness on the issue of malnutrition amongst children.” Khan said.
“Over the past one year, I have worked with the team at UNICEF, partners from the Government, Citizen’s alliance and Prasoon Joshi and his team, to create a nationwide campaign against malnutrition," he said.
In India, one out every two children is malnourished, leaving them vulnerable to poor health and disease, particularly children from the country’s most remote and disadvantaged communities, according to UNICEF.
“I realize there is a lot to be done and I hope that by lending my voice I can make a difference to the lives of children and hereby to the future of our country. Partnering with UNICEF will enable me to advocate for the rights of the most vulnerable and marginalized children in India," the actor said.
“We know Aamir Khan as a leading star of Indian cinema. He is also a compelling advocate, with an enormous drive and commitment, to transform and improve the situation of children in the country. ” Ms. Hulshof said.
“I cannot stress enough how fortunate we are to welcome him into the UNICEF family in India. His voice and unwavering commitment will help to reach every child, irrespective of their background, caste or religion. India is a rising power on the world stage. And yet, so many rights and entitlements of children remain to be fulfilled. Working side by side, we will address this and combine our collective efforts to create a world fit for children,” she added.
UNICEF Ambassadors are celebrities with a demonstrated commitment to improving the lives of children. Highly talented in their individual right, they all share an ability to bring children’s issues to attention, to galvanize support from the public and lead decision makers and to raise urgently needed funds for vital UNICEF programmes.
UNICEF works in 190 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.
NNN
