The Goodwill Ambassadors of the Food and Agriculture

Organization of the United Nations

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T H E G O O D W I L L A M B A S S A D O R S O F T H E F O O D A N D

A G R I C U L T U R E O R G A N I Z A T I O N O F T H E U N I T E D N A T I O N S

W O R K I N G T O G E T H E R F O R A N

I N T E R N A T I O N A L A L L I A N C E A G A I N S T H U N G E R

The FAO Goodwill Ambassador Programme is dedicatedto promoting FAO’s vision of a world without hunger.The FAO Goodwill Ambassadors, distinguished menand women of talent and passion, have expressed theirdesire to help focus global attention on the noble aimsof the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UnitedNations: a world free from hunger.

Since the launching of the Programme in 1999, these nominations wereintended to recognize the importance of the role played by private individ-uals in promoting food security and to convey the message that working forfood security is not solely the province of government. Progress alsohinges on the willingness of individual citizens to use their gifts to inspiregood will and to generate political will. By their talents and influence, theFAO Goodwill Ambassadors are drawing people from all walks of life intothe fight against hunger and poverty, especially at a time when the soaringof food prices is giving rise to a global food crisis.I call upon all people to play a part, together with the FAO GoodwillAmbassadors, in helping the least privileged of the world to finally breakfree of the vicious circle of chronic hunger and malnutrition.

Jacques DioufDirector-General

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Promoting FAO’s activities – What is FAO?

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations(FAO) was founded in 1945 with a mandate to raise levels ofnutrition, improve agricultural productivity, better the lives ofrural populations and contribute to the growth of the worldeconomy. Today, FAO is the largest specialized agency in theUnited Nations system and the lead agency for agriculture,forestry, fisheries and rural development. An intergovernmental organization, FAO has 192 membercountries plus a member organization, the EuropeanCommunity.

Since its inception, FAO has worked to alleviate poverty andhunger by promoting agricultural development, improvednutrition and the pursuit of food security – defined as accessby all people at all times to enough high-quality andculturally acceptable food to lead active, healthy lives.The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nationsleads international efforts to defeat hunger. Serving bothdeveloped and developing countries, FAO acts as a neutralforum where all nations meet as equals to negotiateagreements and debate policy. FAO is also a source ofknowledge and information, helping developing countriesand countries in transition modernize and improveagriculture, forestry and fisheries practices and ensure goodnutrition for all. With special attention on rural areas, hometo 70 percent of the world’s poor and hungry people, FAO’sactivities are focused on four main objectives:

● putting information within reach;

● sharing policy expertise;

● providing a meeting place for nations;

● bringing knowledge to the field.

Achieving food security for all is at the heart of FAO’s efforts.In this effort, FAO provides policy and the kind of behind-the-scenes assistance that helps people and nations helpthemselves. If a community wants to increase crop yields butlacks the technical skills, FAO introduces simple, sustainabletools and techniques. When a country shifts from state toprivate land ownership, FAO provides the legal advice tosmooth the way. When a drought pushes already vulnerablegroups to the point of famine, FAO mobilizes action. And in acomplex world of competing needs, FAO provides a neutralmeeting place and the background knowledge needed toreach consensus.

The Food and AgricultureOrganization of the United NationsHelping to build a world without hunger

FAO has worked for over 63 years nowto alleviate global poverty and hungerby promoting agricultural development,improved nutrition and the pursuit offood security – defined as access by allpeople at all times to the food theyneed for an active and healthy life

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Using their talents and influence, a number of celebritieshave joined the campaign to end world hunger together withFAO. By becoming FAO Goodwill Ambassadors, they havecommitted themselves personally and professionally toaddress the universal humanitarian goals that underpinFAO’s mission – to build a food-secure world for present and future generations. The FAO Ambassadors Programme was initiated in 1999. The main purpose of the programme is to attract public andmedia attention to the unacceptable situation that morethan 850 million people continue to suffer from chronichunger and malnutrition in a time of unprecedented plenty.These people lead a life of misery and are denied the mostbasic of human rights: the right to food.Governments alone cannot end hunger andundernourishment. Mobilization of the public and privatesectors, the involvement of civil society and the pooling ofcollective and individual resources are all needed if peopleare to break out of the vicious circle of chronic hunger andpersistent poverty.

Each FAO Goodwill Ambassador is unique. But they all sharecertain basic characteristics: international reputation, highpersonal repute and personal and professionalrespectability, a demonstrated commitment to the goals andideas of FAO, and a willingness to serve as theOrganization’s advocates, spokespersons andrepresentatives.FAO Goodwill Ambassadors are active at a variety of levels –from the national to the global. Specific activities areindividually tailored to each personality, in accordance withhis/her public image, capabilities and expectations. Theseactivities include:

● undertaking official missions to visit FAO field projects;

● delivering high-profile messages at public and mediaevents and appealing to the public to support FAO’scampaign against hunger;

● recording promotional messages and spots;

● giving interviews about FAO’s programmes and relatedissues for radio, television and print media;

● participating in awareness-raising and fundraising events.

The FAO AmbassadorsProgramme

“The FAO Goodwill Ambassadors… are entrusted with the importantresponsibility of helping FAO in raisinggeneral awareness to food securityissues and mobilizing civil society as awhole in the struggle against hungerand malnutrition”.

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The FAO Ambassadors Programme has gained considerablevisibility over the years, thanks to the commitment anddedication of these individuals. A new component wastherefore launched in 2005, building on the successachieved so far, to enhance the profile and global outreachof the FAO Ambassadors Programme: the category of theExtraordinary Ambassadors of FAO.World leaders adopted the World Food Summit Declarationin 1996 and reiterated their commitment at the World FoodSummit: Five years later in 2002, calling on governments,international agencies, non-governmental organizations, civilsociety and the private sector “to reinforce their efforts so as

to act as an international alliance against hunger” andachieve the goal of reducing hunger by half in 2015.It is in this global effort of solidarity that the ExtraordinaryAmbassadors of FAO play a meaningful and crucial role.Using their influence, the Extraordinary Ambassadors of FAOact as the Organization’s advocates in favour of the fightagainst hunger and malnutrition, aiming to make Food for Alla reality in the 21st century and beyond.The main purpose of the initiative is to increase the effortsof the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UnitedNations to attract public attention to the unacceptablesituation in which, although the world produces a greatabundance of food, children, women and men continue todie of hunger. Every day more than 20 000 persons die ofmalnutrition. Every minute twelve children die of hunger. Wecan not just stand by or look the other way.The category of the Extraordinary Ambassadors of FAOincludes prominent members of Royal Houses andPrincipalities, former Heads of State and Government as wellas spouses of present and former Heads of State andGovernment, who have demonstrated, in their own countriesand on the international scene, a high degree ofcommitment to causes that FAO promotes and who havedecided to devote their efforts to the fight against hungerand poverty.Extraordinary Ambassadors of FAO may, at the invitation ofthe Director-General, engage in public advocacy fundraisingand in public awareness activities. They may participate incertain major FAO events and have a programme of workwhich expresses their own commitment to assisting FAO.They may also provide patronage of events organized in theircountry, in other countries or at FAO.Her Excellency María Gloria Penayo de Duarte, First Lady ofParaguay, was nominated as first Extraordinary Ambassadorof FAO on 16 October 2005.

The Extraordinary Ambassadors of FAO

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FAO wishes to extend its deep appreciation to the FAO Goodwill Ambassadors, whohave contributed their time and effort over the years to the programmes andactivities of FAO – locally, nationally and globally.

BIOGRAPHIES The following pages provide brief biographical notes on the FAO GoodwillAmbassadors appointed since 1999, as well as information on the activitiescarried out in support of FAO.

M A G I D A A L R O U M I

R O B E R T O B A G G I O

D E E D E E B R I D G E W A T E R

A l B A N O C A R R I S I

B E A T R I C E F A U M U I N A

D E B O R A H F E R G U S O N

C A R L A F R A C C I

G I L B E R T O G I L

R A U L G O N Z A L E Z B L A N C O

T H E I T A L I A N S I N G E R S S O C C E R T E A M

M O R Y K A N T E

R O N A N K E A T I N G

K H A L E D

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G I N A L O L L O B R I G I D A

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M A R Í A G L O R I A P E N A Y O D E D U A R T E

R I T A L E V I M O N T A L C I N I

Y O U S S O U N ’ D O U R

N O A

J U S T I N E P A S E K

M A S S I M O R A N I E R I

O U M O U S A N G A R E

C H U C H O V A L D E S

D I O N N E W A R W I C K

Magida Al Roumi

Lebanese singer Magida Al Roumi isinternationally recognized as one ofthe icons of Arabic popular music andis considered as the natural heir ofgreat vocal artist Fairouz. Ms. Al Roumihas released a chain of successfulalbums over the years and performedon stage all over the world. For severalyears she has participated in eventsdedicated to FAO’s fight againsthunger, and her commitment tohumanitarian causes has won her therespect of audiences, music critics andthe media.Ms. Al Roumi was nominated FAOGoodwill Ambassador on 16 October2001. In this role, Magida starred in

several television programmes andconcerts to sensitize public opiniontowards the Food for All Campaign,particularly in the Arab world.In June 2002 Ms Al Roumi — in herrole as an FAO Goodwill Ambassador— was the guest of honour at the ArabChildren’s Congress held in Amman,Jordan, held under the patronage ofHer Majesty Queen Noor. This eventpromoted cross-culturalunderstanding and acted as ademocratic platform for theempowerment of youth in the region.During her presence at the Congress,Ms Al Roumi stressed the importanceof working with young people toachieve a world free from hunger. Stillin 2002, Magida Al Roumi attendedthe “World Food Summit: Five YearsLater” and spoke extensively abouther role as FAO Goodwill Ambassadorduring a press conference organizedon the occasion.Since 2002 and to-date, interviewsfocused on FAO were given to LBC, toAl Usra Ai Asriya weekly magazine ofDubai, to the international dailynewspapers AQuds Al-Arabia.

Ms. Al Roumi has also performed inawareness-raising and fundraisingconcerts dedicated to FAO in Tunis,Cairo and Alger over the past years.

“Music can speak out louder than words. I will use mymusic and my voice to speak out on behalf of theneedy and undernourished everywhere.”

FAO Goodwill Ambassador Magida Al Roumisinging at World Food Day ceremonies,

FAO Headquarters, Rome, Italy

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Roberto Baggio

Footballer Roberto Baggio, among theworld’s most accomplished soccerplayers in history, was named FAOGoodwill Ambassador in October 2002.A teenager from a small village in Northof Italy, Caldogno, Baggio has made theItalian football style legendary. In 1993Roberto was awarded the Golden Balltrophy as Europe’s best player, and wassubsequently voted as FIFA WorldPlayer. He was awarded the GoldenBall trophy as Europe’s best player, andthe sports writers subsequently voted

Roberto the Best Player in the World.All over the 90s, Roberto Baggio wasnearly unanimously regarded as theworld’s best soccer player in theposition of forward.In addition to his impressive sportstalents, Mr. Baggio’s commitment tosocial causes has won him the respectof his public. He dedicates generousamounts of time and energy tohumanitarian issues and has become anadvocate of human dignity, tolerance,democracy and human rights.In 2004, Roberto sold by internationalauction the shoes worn during his lastmatch, and the entire amount of thesale was dedicated to FAO.In September 2005, he attended apress conference organized by NipponBroadcasting System (NBS) in Tokyo,to promote the sale of commemorativestamps issued by the Japanese postalservice to honour his brilliant career.The sale took place in September andOctober 2005 at the Japanese Lawsonchain of convenience stores. Part ofthe proceeds went to the TeleFoodSpecial Fund to finance projects tohelp the neediest communities.

In April 2006, Baggio lent his supportto FAO by writing personally to thePresident of the Italian FootballFederation to launch a partnershipbetween the Federation and FAO, withan aim to achieve a public and mediaimpact, with an awareness-raisingcomponent. The collaborative eventwas scheduled for January 2008.On 3-5 September 2007, Roberto carriedout an official mission to Laos (Lao PDR)to visit FAO field projects in the country.The visit gave high visibility to FAO’sactivities in the Asian region andworldwide. The wide media coverage ofthe visit also provided good visibility toWorld Food Day in the region.

“I feel a moral obligation to stand here today onbehalf of the people stricken with poverty to lendevery support to FAO in its global campaign against hunger.”

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FAO Goodwill Ambassador Roberto Baggiospeaking with beneficiaries on a field visit to

FAO projects in Laos.

Dee Dee Bridgewater

One of the best known jazz singers ofher generation, Dee Dee Bridgewaterwas appointed FAO GoodwillAmbassador on 16 October 1999.Born in Tennessee, in the UnitedStates, Dee Dee has receivednumerous awards in recognition of heroutstanding music achievements,including the Jazz Academy Awards in1988 and 1995, the Chevalier del’Ordre national du Mérite and Officierdes Arts et des Lettres. Fewer stillhave been rewarded with Broadway’scoveted Tony Award (Best FeaturedActress in a Musical – The Wiz),nominated for the London theater’sWest End equivalent, the LaurenceOliver Award (Best Actress in a Musical– Lady Day), won two Grammy Awards(1998’s Best Jazz Vocal Performanceand Best Arrangement Accompanyinga Vocal for “Cottontail” – SlideHampton, arranger – “Dear Ella “), andFrance’s 1998 top honor Victoire de la

Musique (Best Jazz Vocal Album).As an FAO Goodwill Ambassador, MsBridgewater visited projects operatingunder the Special Programme for FoodSecurity in Senegal in December 1999and since then has acted as an activeand committed FAO advocate duringvarious television programmesbroadcast in particular by RadioFrance Internationale, Fox MorningNews in New York etc.In 2002 and 2003, she participated inthe TeleFood concert organized inMadrid by Spanish Television RTVE,and was the guest of honour of thehighly successful RAI television show

La Cometa della Fortuna, entirelydedicated to raising funds for FAO.In October 2003, on the occasion ofthe World Food Day celebrations inNew York, a televised message by DeeDee was projected for the audience inthe Dag Hammarskjold Auditorium ofthe United Nations Building.In August 2006, Ms. Bridgewatervisited FAO field projects in Mali.Further to this mission covered widelyby the media, Dee Dee recorded thealbum “Read Hearth – A MalianProject”, and decided to donate apercentage of the income of herMalian Project worldwide tour to FAO.

“I want to highlight the stories of hope from aroundthe world. Remember that hunger is not a matter ofcharity. It is a matter of justice and solidarity.”

FAO Goodwill Ambassador Dee DeeBridgewater using a hand pump to collectwater at a well built through FAO's Special

Programme for Food Security programme in Senegal.

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Al Bano Carrisi

Al Bano is an acclaimed internationalsinger who has won several awards andprizes during his 30-year career. He hasperformed alongside Plácido Domingo,the Rolling Stones, Spanish flamencoguitarist Paco de Lucia and opera singerMontserrat Caballé. Mr Carrisi has usedhis fame to bring attention to waragainst drugs, and in 1999, prior to hisappointment, he appeared in support ofFAO at an awareness-raising event inFlorence with Luciano Pavarotti.Since his appointment, in October2001, Al Bano has been starring inseveral television programmes andspecial events such as the Italian RaiUno Mattina, Domenica In, Fantastico,Elixir, The Christmas Village etc. tosensitize public opinion towards thefight against hunger, and has devotedcountless hours to his role as an FAOenvoy and spokesperson throughinterviews and public appearances.He has recorded numerous televisionspots and has lent his image to an FAOprint service advertisement publishedby the major Italian magazines andnewspapers (Corriere della Sera, Oggi,Gazzetta dello Sport).

On 16 October 2002, a musicalperformance by Al Bano in the PlenaryHall enlivened of the World Food Daycelebrations at FAO Headquarters inRome and still in 2002 he participatedin the World Food Summit: Five YearsLater meeting at FAO HQs.In June 2006, Al Bano recorded apromotional message that wasbroadcast in the Latin America Regionin support of the mega concert

“Música vs. Hambre” and heperformed in the event, that was heldin the Estadio de Chaco in Asuncíon on21 September 2006, under thepatronage of the First Lady ofParaguay. In 2007, Al Bano launched the projectof a joint CD/DVD to be recorded by allFAO Goodwill Ambassadors, to beproduced at no cost for theOrganization and with profits to bedonated to FAO. All FAO GoodwillAmbassadors (singers) havesubsequently enthusiasticallyconfirmed their participation in theproject, for which Al Bano will act asartistic director. Al Bano has attended the inauguralceremony of the High Level Conferenceon World Food Security: theChallenges of Climate Change andBioenergy, on 3 June 2008, FAO HQs.

“It may be that no one person can change the world, but I know I can change the whole world of one person”

A public service announcement (PSA) with FAOGoodwill Ambassador Al Bano Carrisi"Lavoriamo insieme contro la fame" publishedthroughout Italy by major Italian media to raiseawareness about FAO and generateparticipation in the fight against hunger.

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Beatrice Faumuina

Ms. Faumuina is the first woman of theSouthwest Pacific region to win a WorldChampionship title. In 1997 in Athens,she struck gold at the discus throw.Winner of the 1998 and 2002Commonwealth Games, the 2002International Association of AthleticsFederation World Cup and seventh atthe 2004 Olympic Games, Ms.Faumuina set eleven New Zealanddiscus throw records from 1993 to1997. She was recently awarded thetitle of Officer of the New Zealand Orderof Merit for her services to athletics.On 16 October 2005, Ms. BeatriceFaumuina, from New Zealand, wasappointed FAO Goodwill Ambassador.As an FAO Goodwill Ambassador, sheacted as the patron for the SouthwestPacific region to promote an initiativelaunched by the InternationalAssociation of Athletics Federation(IAAF) in 2006, consisting in an auctionsale of items belonging to world classathletes, and part of the proceeds ofthe sale were donated to FAO.

“You can count on my continued, tireless support toFAO’s activities and worldwide campaign againsthunger, to enable those living on the verge of famineto use their own two hands to resolve the problem of hunger at the roots. Let’s join hands”.

FAO Goodwill Ambassador Beatrice Faumuinapresenting a medal to a young participant atWorld Food Day ceremonies in Rome, Italy.

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Deborah Ferguson

Debbie Ferguson, a renowned sprinter,has won several World Cup goldmedals and has been voted“outstanding female athlete” of theCommonwealth Games. Born inNassau, she has dedicated years ofher life to improving the health,education and quality of life for peoplein her country, especially forunderprivileged women and children.

Her charity work includes raising fundsfor orphanages and Homes for theAged in Nassau, visiting children atlocal hospitals and supporting feedingprogrammes for the elderly.Since her appointment, on 16 October2002, Debbie Ferguson has recordednumerous messages of support forFAO’s activities and has given severalinterviews to the international media,speaking extensively about her newrole as an FAO Goodwill Ambassadorand advocate.In June 2004, Debbie has carried outan official visit to Bahamas to witnessfirst-hand the work that FAO iscarrying out in the country.Thanks to Debbie’s support, in 2005the International Association ofAthletics Federation (IAAF), organizersof the Olympic Games, produced their

yearly desk calendar featuringphotographs of athletics championsperforming during the Olympic Gamesbearing the slogan “For a worldwithout hunger” and the FAO and IAAFlogos. In addition the back of eachpage featured a picture of Debbiepromoting the same message throughher statement “Do you find it shockingthat millions of people go hungryevery day? You’re not the only one”.The calendar, distributed world-wide,aimed at stimulating awareness andunderstanding of FAO’s activitiestaking advantage of the large athleticsaudience.

“I spent my childhood in Nassau, where livingconditions were not as good as they are nowadays.We should not only treasure what we have now. We should also help others obtain what they should have.”

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"If you think global hunger is aproblem...you're not the only one" publicservice announcement (PSA) campaignfeaturing FAO Goodwill AmbassadorDeborah Ferguson.

Carla Fracci

Carla Fracci was named FAO GoodwillAmbassador on 15 October 2004.Considered to be one of the greatestclassic dancers of this century, CarlaFracci is surnamed “The EleonoraDuse of the ballet” and “TheLegendary”. Born in Milan, shestudied at the La Scala Ballet Schoolfrom 1946 with Vera Volkova andothers, graduating into the companyin 1954. She was soon promoted

soloist and principal. At La Scala sheperformed as Juliet in Cranko’s Romeoand Juliet (1958) and Elvira inMassine’s Don Giovanni (1959). Sheappeared with many companies likeLondon Festival Ballet in 1959 and1962, Royal Ballet in 1963, StuttgartBallet in 1965 and Royal SwedishBallet in 1969. From 1967 she wasprincipal guest artist of the AmericanBallet Theatre.

She is renowned for her interpretationof the romantic roles. She was directorof ballet in Naples 1990-91 and inVerona 1995-97. She is now director ofthe Balletto dell’Opera di Roma.In 2005, Carla Fracci appeared on aPSA dedicated to FAO on the Internetnetwork Virgilio, and in spite of hernumerous professional engagementsshe regularly attended the World FoodDay celebrations at FAO Headquartersover the years.She has attended the inauguralceremony of the High Level Conferenceon World Food Security: theChallenges of Climate Change andBioenergy, on 3 June 2008, FAO HQs.Carla Fracci has indicated herwillingness to act as the Patron of theWorld Food Day concert to be organizedin Tirana, Albania, on 25 October 2008,with a double awareness-raising andfundraising component.

“It is an honour to be appointed a GoodwillAmbassador of FAO. I will pledge to take the newresponsibility very seriously. Now I have becomereally connected to what is truly important”.

Carla Fracci speaking at World Food Dayceremonies on the occasion of herappointment as FAO Goodwill Ambassador, Rome, Italy.

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Gilberto Gil

Gilberto Gil is one of the mostimportant singers, composers andinstrumentalists of modern Brazil.During an artistic career spanningmore than three decades, he hasrecorded over 30 albums, with manybeing released in Asia, Europe, LatinAmerica and North America. He is aliving legend who has shown aremarkable, unique rhythmicversatility through his production.Gilberto Gil has devoted considerabletime to social and humanitarianactivities in recent years, for which hehas earned the love and admiration ofpeople all over the world.Nominated FAO Goodwill Ambassadoron 16 October 2001, Gilberto Gil hasrecorded numerous testimonials insupport of FAO’s campaign toeradicate hunger in the world, andmost recently for the mega event“Música vs. Hambre” held in Asunciónin September 2006, on whichoccasion his spot was broadcast allover the Latin America region insupport of FAO. He also featured in numerous PSAs insupport of FAO on major internationalmagazines.

“There is a way you can get involved. Join hands withFAO in its fight against hunger. It is not a question ofthe survival of the fittest. It is a question of survival.Full stop. We need your support”.

FAO Goodwill Ambassador Gilberto Gil performing during World Food Day ceremonies at FAO Headquarters, Rome, Italy.

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Raúl González Blanco

Spain’s leading goalscorer of all times,Raúl González, was appointed FAOGoodwill Ambassador in October2004, at the age of 27.Long before the arrival of other soccerstars such as Ronaldo and Beckham,Spanish prodigy Raúl was justifyingthe price of an entrance ticket to seeReal Madrid, his football team. OnOctober 29, 1994, Madrid coach JorgeValdano gave him his debut. Raúl was17 at the time. Madrid and Valdanohave never looked back.He has since drawn plaudits from allthe major figures in world football and

from the general public. Raúl is agenuine star. He scores a goal everytwo matches on average. He has alsohelped his team win three ChampionsLeague titles (the last was in 2002),two European-South American Cupsand four Spanish championships.Born in Madrid and typifyingtraditional values, he is extremelypopular all over the world and inSpain, where he has become a kind ofnational hero. In addition to his impressive sportstalents, his commitment tohumanitarian causes has won him therespect of the public. From 2004 to 2007, Raúl has recordedtelevised support messages during thebroadcast of the gala solidarity eventorganized by the Spanish televisiongroup RTVE, entirely dedicated toFAO/TeleFood. In June 2006, hefeatured in a PSA appearing on theHomevideoshow magazine,distributed in all major Italiancinemas. In November 2006, Raúlvisited TeleFood projects in Senegal,benefiting from wide internationalmedia coverage. In October 2007, the

football champion was instrumental inthe successful achievement of thecollaborative initiative between FAOand the Spanish Liga de FútbolProfesional.In May 2008 Raul González wasawarded the first edition Spanish prizefor solidarity in sports for ?30 000,which he donated to fund fiveTeleFood fighting-hunger projects.

“Because the suffering of any human beingdiminishes all of us, it’s our responsibility to try toease that suffering”

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FAO Director-General Jacques Diouf enlistingthe help of international star Spanishfootballer Raúl González as FAO GoodwillAmbassador in the fight against worldhunger, Madrid, Spain.

The Italian SingersSoccer Team

The Italian Singers’ Soccer Team,appointed as FAO GoodwillAmbassadors on the occasion of WorldFood Day 2002, is now twenty-fiveyears old. Some of the most famousItalian singers are involved with theassociation, wishing to use theirimage as artists and sportsmen tosupport this long-term charitableproject that has been expanding since 1981.

The Italian Singers’ Soccer Team aimsat promoting a movement of solidaritydirected towards protecting theneediest. Over the years, more than400 matches have been organized andsold out stadiums in every town. The Italian Singers’ Soccer Team hassupported many charities throughoutthe years and has acquired an

important international scenedimension, bringing its commitment toLondon, Moscow, Bucarest, Budapest,Sarajevo, Warsaw etc.Ten editions of the Partita del Cuore(or the Match of the Heart),of whichFAO has been one of the beneficiaries,have had a total audience of 80 million people.

“Playing football taught us the value of determination and team work. We are happy doing anything that may help the underprivileged”

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Mory Kanté

Mory Kanté, appointed FAO GoodwillAmbassador in 2001, whose styleblends traditional West African musicwith Western pop, funk, house andtechno, was born into a family ofgriots — a caste of poets, singers andstory-tellers in traditional Mandingoculture — in Guinea. He has played allover the world and performed inseveral movie soundtracks, including

the soundtrack for the film “TheBeach” starring Leonardo di Caprio. MrKanté has dedicated much time andenergy to cultural and social initiativesin Western Africa.Since his appointment, Mory Kantéhas starred in several televisionprogrammes and radio broadcastsspeaking extensively about his role asan FAO Goodwill Ambassador and

advocate, and has been givinginterviews to international mediaabout FAO.In June 2001, Mory Kanté attended theWorld Food Summit: Five Years Laterat FAO Headqauarters in Rome.In 2002, he participated in theTeleFood concert in South Africa, alsostarring Miriam Makeba. In July 2003,Mory Kanté dedicated a fundraisingconcert to FAO in Helsinki, Finland. In June 2008, Mory Kanté gave aninterview for the United NationsEnvironment Programme’s magazine,TUNZA, focusing on food-relatedissues.In July 2008, he was called to performas guest star, in his capacity as FAOGoodwill Ambassador, in a galaconcert in Turin, Northern Italy, andthe related press conference focusedon FAO and his role as GoodwillAmbassador.

“I will work with people of different cultures and willtravel to different countries to give people thepossibility to help each other. The whole world needsto mobilize against hunger and poverty”

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West African singer Mory Kanté performingduring a World Food Day concert in his roleas FAO Goodwill Ambassador, Rome, Italy.

Ronan Keating

Irish singer Ronan Keating was 18when he made his debut. Now, afterten years, he is still in the public eye.His songs “Life is a rollercoaster”,“When you say nothing at all”, “We’vegot tonight” and “If tomorrow nevercomes” have become classics.

In June 2004, Ronan made a trip thatwas to change his life. He visitedfarmers and families in Ghana andother developing countries and wasshocked at the sight of poverty andhow unfair trade laws were destroyinglivelihoods.

Ronan already supports manycharities and set up his own (MarieKeating Foundation) after he lost hismother to cancer in 1998.Ronan Keating was nominated FAOGoodwill Ambassador on 16 October2005.In this capacity, Ronan has beenfeaturing in PSAs on internationalmedia in support of FAO and hasrecorded numerous promotionalmessages In September 2006, he starred in theMega Concert “Música vs. Hambre”held in Asunción, Paraguay.Ronan Keating is ready to perform in aUnited Kingdom World FoodDay/TeleFood concert to be organizedin Milton Keynes, London, in 2009, andwill be actively involved in theinformation and media campaignpreceding and launching the event.

“This isnt’ about people at home putting their handsat their pockets. This is about joining a campaign to get our governments change things”.

Irish singer Ronan Keating on the occasionof his appointment as FAO GoodwillAmbassador, FAO Headquarters, Rome, Italy.

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Khaled

One of the pioneers of world music, raimusician Khaled has gone beyond allgeo-political boundaries to becomeone of the world’s most popularperformers, mixing traditional Algerianmusic with Western rhythms andstyles such as soul, rock and reggae toachieve his distinctive sound. His 1992 hit single “Didi” sold over amillion copies worldwide, and his firstFrench-language single, “Aicha”,topped the French charts for months,selling 700 000 copies in France aloneand making him a nationwide celebrityand an unofficial ambassador for thecountry’s Arab minority. Khaled hasbeen celebrated not only for his music,but for his role as a builder of bridgesbetween cultures.Khaled was appointed FAOAmbassador on 16 October 2003.In this capacity, he successfullyperformed in an awareness-raisinggala event entirely dedicated to FAO atthe Hotel de Russie in Rome inOctober 2004.

“Because the suffering of any human beingdiminishes all of us, it’s our responsibility to try toease that suffering. It is not a matter of titles, but of responsibilities.”

Khaled singing at a World Food Day event in his role as FAO Goodwill Ambassador,Rome, Italy.

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Gong Li

Chinese actress Gong Li wasappointed FAO Goodwill Ambassadoron World Food Day 2000. Gong Li graduated from the CentralDrama Academy in Beijing in 1989.Over the last decade, she has earnedinternational acclaim for her fineperformances in some of China’s mostmemorable films, including RedSorghum, Raise the Red Lantern andFarewell My Concubine. Today she isone of China’s and internationalcinema’s leading actresses.Ever since she became an FAOGoodwill Ambassador, Gong Li hasspoken out against hunger, hasrecorded numerous messages ofsupport for FAO’s activities and hasgiven interviews to the internationalmedia, speaking extensively about herrole as an FAO advocate.In July 2002 she visited the SpecialProgramme for Food Security projectin the Sichuan Province and a TeleFood(duck-raising) project in Youxian, thusincreasing the visibility and impact ofFAO’s activities in China. During thisvery successful mission, Gong Li metwith farmers beneficiaries, poor

families and children, and expressedstrong and continuous support toFAO’s fight against hunger.In September 2003, in her capacity asPresident of the Film Jury of the VeniceInternational Film Festival, Gong Li

held a press conference focusedexclusively on FAO, her role as FAOGoodwill Ambassador and hercommitment to the fight againsthunger. FAO was also officiallyincluded in the press conferenceorganized by the producers of GongLi’s forthcoming film “M” (Frenchtelevision TF1) thanks to the activeinvolvement of Gong Li.Since October 2002, Gong Li has lenther image to an FAO public serviceadvertisement published by the majorItalian magazines and internationalmagazines.

“To launch an appeal against hunger is not a waste of time. At the start there is never a path, but wheremany people pass, a path is formed.”

A public service announcement (PSA) "Let'swork together against hunger," featuringFAO Goodwill Ambassador Gong Li visitingFAO projects in China.

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Gina Lollobrigida

Luigina (Gina) Lollobrigida, born inSubiaco, in Italy, is one of the Europeanfilm industry’s most distinctivepersonalities, as well as a respectedphotographer and sculptor whose workhas been exhibited in some of theworld’s most important museums.She has devoted generous amounts ofher time to humanitarian activities,acting as a special representative forthe United Nations Children’s Fund(UNICEF) and supporting many majorhumanitarian agencies.Since her appointment as an FAOGoodwill Ambassador in 1999, MsLollobrigida has participated in severalFAO fundraising and awareness-raisingevents aimed at fighting hunger. In 1999she participated in a celebrity auctionorganized by Arab Radio and Televisionin Cairo. In 2000 she was a guest on theItalian television programme La Cometadella Fortuna, dedicated to FAO and shehas taken part in several charity eventsin Florence, Rome, Latina etc.

Ms. Lollobrigida regularly attends FAOinstitutional meetings, such as theWorld Food Day celebrations at FAOHQs.On the occasion of World Food Day2006, Gina has donated a statue of hercreation to FAO. She is presently activein organizing an awareness-raisingevent to be dedicated to FAO throughthe Italian television in 2008, with bothan awareness-raising and a fundraisingcomponent.In 2007, she acted as the madrina(patron) of the “Run for Food Race”,organized under the patronage of theMayor of Rome in favour of FAO.In March 2008, Gina Lollobrigida actedas the madrina of the inauguralceremony and European launch of theWorld Harmony Run held at FAO HQs. She has attended the inauguralceremony of the High Level Conferenceon World Food Security: the Challengesof Climate Change and Bioenergy, on 3June 2008, FAO HQs.

“I suffered a lot during my childhood and I have notforgotten my origins. Now this formal title gives mean opportunity to play a first-hand role in the fightagainst world hunger”.

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Unveiling ceremony of a sculpture donated to the Organization by FAO Goodwill AmbassadorGina Lollobridgida during World Food Day ceremonies held at FAO Headquarters, Rome, Italy.

Miriam Makeba

Singer Miriam Makeba, the legendary“Mama Africa”, appointed an FAOGoodwill Ambassador in 1999, has alongstanding commitment tohumanitarian issues. Born inJohannesburg, South Africa, herfearless campaigning againstinequality and injustice has added tothe worldwide fame she had alreadywon for her vocal talents. Ms Makebahas travelled throughout Africa to givevoice to millions of suffering people.Drawing on her own funds, she set upa foundation in Johannesburg to carefor needy young South African women. Ms Makeba dedicated a song,

Masakahane, to FAO and hasparticipated in various events andconcerts organized by FAO, such asthe Jamaica and Spain TeleFoodconcerts in 1999, and the South Africaconcert in 2000. In April 2001, Ms.Makeba visited FAO post-emergencyprojects in Mozambique, increasingthe visibility and impact of FAO’sactivities in Africa. Ms Makeba has also been a strongFAO advocate during interviewsparticularly with CNN and BBC..In 2001 and 2002, an FAO publicservice announcement featuringMiriam Makeba was published on

major international magazines andnewspapers.In March 2008, Ms. Makeba carried outan official to the Democratic Republicof Congo during which she visited FAOemergency projects. The visit, duringwhich Ms. Makeba also participated invarious press conferences, gaveinternational visibility to FAO’sactivities in the country. Following the duty travel, Ms. Makebahas been awarded the price“International Award for SocialEngagement”, in her capacity as FAOGoodwill Ambassador, for the workdone and commitment towardshelping women victims of sexualviolence in the DR of Congo. (TheMinerva Award, first price dedicated towomen, is an internationallyrecognized event focused towardshighlighting the social, humanitarianand professional commitment ofdistinguished women).

“In every community, in every nation, people are doinglittle and big things to help make a better world. Thinkof what has been accomplished to date: spaceexploration; satellite communications; hearttransplants. Today, we have managed to do what previousgenerations never dreamed of. But, you see, today, around the world, 840 million people still don’t have enough to eat. And it doesn’t have to be this way.”

Miriam Makeba meeting with womenpartipating in FAO projects during her visitto the Democratic Republic of the Congo inher role as FAO Goodwill Ambassador.

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Maná

As one of Latin rock’s most popularbands ever, Maná transcends theirMexican roots with a poetic ability toexpress the universal truths inspiredby their culture and its history. Theytake on issues that are important inlife: solidarity, justice, freedom. Maná has won four Grammy awards,sold more than 16 million albums

worldwide and conducted sold-outtours around the world. They are nowappealing to a worldwide audience asa vanguard fusion group, no longer justan extremely popular Mexican band.The group’s music spans culturaldivides and gives voice to social andenvironmental issues. Band membersFher Olvera, Alex González, Sergio

Vallín and Juan Calleros, determined toassist the most vulnerable, havecreated a non-governmentalorganization, Selva Negra, focused onsustainable development issues inLatin America.Maná was nominated FAO GoodwillAmbassador on 16 October 2003.The group wishes to help FAO’smessage reach and inspire youngeraudiences. As such, the group hasworked with FAO in the United States,Latin America and around the world,mobilizing resources and engagingpeople in sustainable solutions to oneof humanity’s greatest challenges –the fight against hunger. They havededicated concert proceeds to FAO’sTeleFood campaign and performed inFAO’s Goundwork 2001 concert,alongside REM, Pearl Jam and DaveMatthews.Within the framework of World FoodDay 2007, spots were recorded byManá in Costa Rica to support thecampaign “Amar es combater elhambre….y más cuando hay undesastre”, aimed at raising funds infavour of the farmers affected by flood.

“It is an honour to be appointed FAO Ambassadors.We pledge to take the new responsibility veryseriously. We will attempt to carry the appropriatemessage as we travel around the world”

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María Gloria Penayo De Duarte

“At present, a hunger-free world is still a dream. It is up tous all, the international community as a whole to takedecisive action to end hunger, the most cruel expression ofpoverty, which still affects an estimated 854 million humanbeings, 200 million of them children, and causing the deathsof 12 children a minute. In my capacity as Extraordinary Ambassador of FAO, I will do mybest to foster an even stronger commitment to ensuring that millions of innocent victimsfrom hunger have access to the necessary resources to cultivate their hope for a better life”.

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Appointed as first ExtraordinaryAmbassador on 16 October 2006,María Gloria Penayo de Duarte, FirstLady of Paraguay, has always beenextremely active in helping the mostvulnerable sectors of society, takingpart in activities to help children withspecial needs and leading voluntarywomen’s groups active in the socialintegration of marginalized anddeprived populations. Mrs. Penayo de Duarte is restlesslypursuing a number of programmes insupport of education, health, culturalawareness and other activities toprovide assistance and substance tothe population, with a specialattention to development of women, intheir role as providers of life,conveyors of values and focal pointsfor change in the family and society.

By promoting training for self-management and the building ofvalues, María Gloria aspires to realizeher dream of helping the humanadvancement of her compatriots. She is a founding member of the“GANAR” Foundation (Support Group forChildren at High Risk) which helpschildren and adolescents working andliving in public areas, and is theChairperson of the Paraguayan Networkfor Human Development (REPADEH), anon-profit organization focusingprimarily on programmes, projects andactivities of social assistance and humandevelopment for the most vulnerablesectors of the population, especiallyfamilies living in extreme poverty, andthe generation of solidarity networks tohelp the most needy. María GloriaPenayo de Duarte has also championed

the Programme of Resource Generationthrough the Soybean (PROGRESO) andthe installation of more than 100soybean processing machines. Immediately following herappointment as FAO ExtraordinaryAmbassador, the First Lady organizedand was patron of the mega concert“Música vs. Hambre”, held at theEstadio de Chaco in Asunción,Paraguay, on 21 September 2006. Theevent, the first concert of thismagnitude ever organized in Paraguay,featured a prestigious internationalcasting which included FAO GoodwillAmbassadors Al Bano, Noa and RonanKeating. The concert was verysuccessful in terms of publicattendance, media coverage,awareness-raising and fundraising insupport of TeleFood projects. In her capacity as ExtraordinaryAmbassador of FAO, Mrs. Penayo deDuarte tirelessly attendsintergovernmental meetings in the LatinAmerica Region and organizes pressconferences and encounters with themedia during which she speaks abouther role as FAO Goodwill Ambassador.

FAO Director-General Jacques Dioufappointing Paraguay's First Lady, Her Excellency Ms. María Gloria Penayo de Duarte, as first Extraordinary Ambassador of FAO during World Food Day ceremonies, Rome, Italy.

“It is imperative that we support FAO’s campaign,urging young people, who more than adults enjoy theability to spring into action, to play what could be adecisive role in the elimination of this tragic reality. I ask you to join us by participating in FAO’s campaign against world hunger”

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Rita Levi Montalcini

Professor and Senator Rita LeviMontalcini, a physician andneurobiologist, received the NobelPrice for Medicine in 1986 inrecognition of her discovery andcharacterization of the role of thenerve growth factor. Professor LeviMontalcini, whose medical work istireless, has received numerous otherprestigious scientific awards includingthe American Golden Plate Award andSilver Cup. She has been elected tothe Pontifical Academy (Italy), theAmerican Academy of Arts andSciences (United States) and theAcadémie des Sciences (France).Since childhood, Prof. Levi Montalcinihas been committed to the cause of

alleviating poverty and malnutrition.She believes that, as a publicpersonality, she can appeal to a largesegment of the public, encouragingpeople to support FAO’s globalcampaign against hunger.Since her appointment as FAOGoodwill Ambassador in 1999,Professor Levi Montalcini has writtenarticles and editorials about the plightof the hungry for major Italian andinternational newspapers and hasdevoted countless hours to her role asan FAO envoy and spokesperson. She participated in the Santa CeciliaWorld Food Day concert in Italy in 1999and in a charity event in Florence in2000, with tenor Luciano Pavarotti.In October 2004, Ms. Levi Montalciniwas interviewed by the Radio Vaticanawith a focus on her role as an FAOGoodwill Ambassador. In December2005, while being awarded a prize inVerona by the Major of the City, Prof.

Levi Montalcini focused her speech onher role as an FAO GoodwillAmbassador.In May 2006, she met with thedelegation of the Joint Inspection Unitof the UN Office in Geneva and theseencounters were instrumental in viewof the preparation of the report on theAmbassadors Programmes in theUnited Nations System.In spite of her numerous engagementsas a physician and a senator of theItalian Republic, Professor LeviMontalcini regularly attends the WorldFood Day celebrations in Rome. InMarch 2007, she delivered a statementon the occasion of the World Water Dayheld in FAO in Rome, which receivedthe praise of the public.She has attended the inauguralceremony of the High Level Conferenceon World Food Security: theChallenges of Climate Change andBioenergy (Rome, 3-5 June 2008).Senator Levi Montalcini has confirmedher intention to write an articlededicated to the 2008 World Food Daytheme, to be published on majorItalian newspapers.

Nobel prize laureate Rita Levi Montalcinispeaking out against hunger to journalistsin her role as FAO Goodwill Ambassador,Rome, Italy.

Youssou N’Dour

Youssou N’Dour was nominated FAOGoodwill Ambassador in 2000. Born in Dakar, Youssou is the leadingexponent of world fusion pop. He blends African traditional musicand Senegalese mbalax with reggae, jazz and rock, combining the most modern

recording techniques with Africansounds and rhythms. Mr. N’Dour has devoted considerableeffort to humanitarian activities. He hasbeen associated with the InternationalRed Cross, the Jubilee 2000 Committeefor the Cancellation of Third World Debtand the United Nations anti-landmine

campaign, among others. He wasawarded the Chevalier de l’Ordrenational du Mérite du Sénégal. In 1999, Youssou N’Dour participatedin a TeleFood concert in Senegal,recorded several messages of supportfor FAO and participated in televisionbroadcasts dedicated to FAO.

“Supporting the FAO campaign against world hungeris a cause near to my heart. This appointment notonly honours me, but all of Africa and it strengthenseven more my determination to work with FAO for allthose who are affected by the scourge of hunger and malnutrition”

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FAO Goodwill Ambassador Youssou N'Dourspeaking on behalf of the InternationalAlliance against Hunger during thepresentation of a collective Appeal to EndHunger, calling on people everywhere tohelp the least privileged people of the worldfinally break out of the vicious circle ofchronic hunger, poverty and under-nourishment. World Food Day ceremonies, Rome, Italy.

Noa

International recording artistAchinoam Nini Barak, known simply asNoa, is a singer whose work reflectsmultiple influences with roots both inthe West and in the Middle East and inpopular and classical music. Born inIsrael from Yemeni roots, Noa movedto the United States as a baby andgrew up in New York. She returned toIsrael at the age of 17. She has collaborated with musiciansfrom around the world, among themKhaled, Sting, Donovan, StevieWonder, Zucchero and Santana.

Noa — whose real name, Achinoam,means “sister of peace” — has raisedher voice many times for peace andsolidarity and feels, as she says, a“citizen of the world”. For Noa, onlymusic stands a fighting chance ofbreaking cultural barriers, as it has auniversal appeal that no otherlanguage possesses.Noa was appointed FAO Ambassadoron 16 October 2003.Since her appointment, Noa has beenextremely active in support of FAOgiving interviews about FAO activities

to international media and speakingabout her role during all of herconcerts. In addition, Noa hasfeatured several PSAs in support ofFAO and has participated in the megaevent “Músical vs. Hambre” held inAsunción in September 2006,organized under the High Patronage ofthe First Lady of Paraguay, FAOExtraordinary Ambassador.Noa has performed during World FoodDay celebrations at FAO HQs and onthe occasion of awareness-raisingevents organized in Rome in supportof FAO in 2004.Noa will dedicate a concert to FAO in2009, to be held in Israel, with anawareness-raising and fundraisingcomponent. She has also expressedthe wish to travel to Yemen around theend of 2008/beginning 2009, to visitFAO development projects.

“I am proud to partner with the Food and AgricultureOrganization of the United Nations to deliver theimportant message of “food for all” to people all over the world.”

Internationally-acclaimed singer Noa signedon in the campaign against hunger as FAOGoodwill Ambassador at the 2003 WorldFood Day ceremonies, FAO Headquarters,Rome, Italy.

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Justine Pasek

“I feel it is my duty to use my title of FAO Ambassadorto work towards a world in which the fertility of oursoil reaches everyone”.

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FAO Goodwill Ambassador Justine Pasekvisiting with participants of FAO projects ona field visit in Peru.

When Justine Pasek ended her reign asMiss Universe in June 2002, Panama’sleading newspapers unanimouslyacclaimed both her beauty and hertalent. Although she was born in theUkraine, her home country sincechildhood has been Panamá, whereshe obtained her education.Justine Pasek was appointedAmbassador for the promotion ofculture and tourism by the Governmentof Panamá and sponsor of theOsteoporosis and Metabolic DiseasesFoundation of her country, a role shehas used to promote the healthbenefits of proper nutrition.She is a volunteer of the PanamanianPROBIDSIDA organization and

participates actively in educatingpeople about HIV/AIDS throughlectures to civic groups and in theraising of funds for these educationalcampaigns. Justine also cooperateswith various Latin-American non-governmental organizations onactivities dedicated to helpingmalnourished children in remote areas.Since her appointment as FAO GoodwillAmbassador in 2003, Justine carriedout a mission to Perú to visit FAOdevelopment projects benefiting from awide media coverage particularly in theLatin American region. In February2006, she attended the inauguralceremony of the launching of theProgramme to implement the

collaboration Agreement between FAO,the Centro Internacional para elDesarrollo Sostenible (CIDES) theCiudad del Sabe and the PanamáMinisterio de Desarrollo Agropecuario(MIDA) in Panamá City, on whichoccasion she made a statement andattended media encounters.In April 2008, at the request of theUNSG’s office, Justine Pasek gaveinterviews for the UN on-linemagazine, in her capacity of FAOGoodwill Ambassador, focusing on herrole and on food-related issues. JustinePasek will travel to Rome in October2008 to act as the madrina of the thirdedition of the Run for Food Race andattend the related press and the event.

Massimo Ranieri

A real talent of Italian music, film andtheatre, an accomplished actor andplaywright with a flair for comedy,Massimo Ranieri, born in Naples, Italy,became an FAO Goodwill Ambassadorin October 2002.

Massimo “Lo scugnizzo napoletano” isimmensely popular in Italy andinternationally known. The recipientof important prizes and awards for hisunique vocal styling and his intensetheatre and cinema interpretations

(such as Metello, Death Rage, TheHunchback of Notre Dame and others)he has maintained his positionamongst the top male solo artists forthe past thirty years and continues todo so.He has generously given of himselfand not only as an entertainer. He haslong used his immense popularity as aperformer and an actor to speak outon social issues.Massimo has regularly participated incampaigns to draw attention to theless privileged in his home country,and he has often urged his audiencesto show solidarity with the under-privileged. At concert appearances,he often speaks about his role as anFAO Goodwill Ambassador and theplight of the poor and hungry, urginghis audiences to support rights tosurvival.

“I am in a privileged position. Every morning I wakeup thinking how lucky I am for the things I havereceived in life. If I can help FAO to convey theirworthwhile message, by giving poor people a chanceto live and a chance in life, then this is, in a smallway, my way of repaying the debt.”

Massimo Ranieri accepting his appointmentas FAO Goodwill Ambassador from FAODirector-General Jacques Diouf during WorldFood Day ceremonies, Rome, Italy.

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Oumou Sangaré

One of Mali’s most beloved singers,Oumou Sangaré has a gift forelevating traditional music to subtle,nuanced, contemporary pop thatraises probing social questions,especially about the evolving roles ofwomen in Africa.

Oumou Sangaré is the leading femalestar of the Wassoulou sound, which isbased on an ancient tradition ofhunting rituals mixed with songsabout devotion, praise and harvestplayed with five-note melodies.She has been a vital force in Afro-pop

since the 1990s and was featured onthe soundtrack of the 1998 screenadaptation of Toni Morrison’s Beloved.The reissue in 1999 of “Moussoulou”,Sangaré’s 1989 debut album, longdifficult to find in the West, was anenormous success. Ms. Sangaré was appointed FAOGoodwill Ambassador on 16 October2003.In this capacity, she has accompaniedDee Dee Bridgewater in official visitsto FAO projects in Mali in August 2006,where she attended several pressconferences and met with thePresident.She starred with a musical group in anawareness-raising event dedicated toFAO that was held in Rome in 2004and performed successfully during theWorld Food Day celebration at FAOHQs on 16 October 2006.

“As an FAO Ambassador, I will exert all efforts tospread the message of FAO all over the world and tothe largest possible audiences. In fact, our ultimategoal is to reach every individual.”

FAO Goodwill Ambassador Oumou Sangarésinging at an World Food Day event inRome, Italy.

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Chucho Valdés

Chucho Valdés is considered one ofthe finest pianists in the world and agreat composer, with works such asMambo Influenciado and Misa Negra,a composition that opened the way forcurrent generations of Cubanmusicians.His artistic career and teaching haveearned him the Cultura Nacional, AlejoCarpentier and Félix Varela medals inhis country and other high

distinctions, including Doctor HonorisCausa awards from universities inCanada and Cuba.His huge talent, his prodigious handswith fingers that easily span an octaveand his performances in famousvenues such as Carnegie Hall, LincolnCentre and Kennedy Centre in theUnited States, Ronnie Scott’s in the UKand the Carlos Marx and AmadeoRoldan theaters in Cuba, together with

14 Grammy nominations and fiveawards, are just some of the elementsthat have made Chucho Valdés alegend of jazz and music in general.His music, with its strong Afro-Cubaninfluence, is a combination of powerfulmelody and flamboyant deliverycounterpoised by masterly technique.Chucho Valdés was nominated FAOGoodwill Ambassador on 16 October2006.Since his appointment, Chucho hasstarred in the TeleFood concert held inHavana, Cuba, in November 2006.On 16 October 2007, within theframework of World Food Day, Mr.Valdes gave a most acclaimed concertin the Basílica Menor del Convento deSan Francisco de Asís of La Habana,Cuba, together with his musical group. Chucho Valdes will star again in aWorld Food Day piano concert to beorganized in Havana in October 2008.

“The honour bestowed upon me today gives me theopportunity to participate directly in the fight againsthunger in the world”.

World-renowned pianist Chucho Valdésperforms a recital on the occasion of hisappointment as FAO Goodwill Ambassadorduring World Food Day ceremonies, Rome, Italy.

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Dionne Warwick

In October 2002 singer DionneWarwick, from the United States, was appointed FAO GoodwillAmbassador. With her unique vocal style and herown star on the Hollywood Walk ofFame, Ms Warwick is the recipient ofcountless awards, with an illustriouscareer that spans close to 40 yearsand includes no less than 55 hitsingles. Her status as a musical andhumanitarian icon is legendary.

Her service to the world does not stopat her unique vocal styling, rather shecontinues to work tirelessly withvarious organizations dedicated toempowering and inspiring efforts.As a philanthropist and communityactivist, she has generously supportedmany charities and social agendas.She has committed herself to workingfor charities (such as AIDS benefits) and doing cultural work in variouscities around the world.

Since her appointment, Ms. Warwickhas dedicated generous amounts oftime and energy to FAO’s campaignagainst hunger and has given severalinterviews focused on FAO to theinternational media. In November and December 2002,Dionne Warwick gave visibility to FAOduring concerts organized at theTeatro Sistina and Teatro Argentina inRome. In 2006, she recorded asupport message that was broadcastall over the Latin America region inview of the mega concert of Asunción,Paraguay. Dionne will dedicate a concert to FAOin 2008, with an awareness-raisingand fundraising component. She hasalso expressed the wish to travel to anAfrican country at the end of2008/beginning 2009, to visit FAOdevelopment projects.

“This reaffirms that we all have a place in the worldcommunity and in being honoured in such a way as Iam today, I am given the opportunity to make astatement bout what needs to be done in the worldto combat hunger and poverty”.

Singer Dionne Warwick speaking to thePlenary upon acceptance of herappointment as FAO Goodwill Ambassadorduring World Food Day ceremonies, FAOHeadquarters, Rome, Italy.

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© FAO 2008

Author: Rosarita Pagano

Photo credits: Page 1: FAO Director-General Jacques Diouf, photo ©FAO/Giulio Napolitano; Page 2: FAO headquarters,photo ©FAO/G. Gasponi; Page 3: FAO Goodwill Ambassadors, photos ©FAO/Simone Casetta; Page 4: ExtraordinaryAmbassador, photo ©FAO/Fabiana Santarelli; Page 6: Magida Al Roumi, photos (above) ©FAO/Simone Casetta, (middle)©FAO/Nicholas Rubery, (below) ©FAO/L. Spaventa; Page 7: Roberto Baggio, photos (above, middle) ©FAO/ SimoneCasetta, (below) ©FAO/Jim Holmes; Page 8: Dee Dee Bridgewater, photo (above) © FAO/Simone Casetta, (below)©FAO/A. Casset; Page 9: Al Bano Carrisi, photo (above) ©FAO/Simone Casetta; Page 10: Beatrice Faumuina, photos©FAO/Simone Casetta; Page 11: Deborah Ferguson, photos (above, below) ©FAO/Simone Casetta, (middle); Page 12:Carla Fracci, photos (above) ©FAO/Simone Casetta, (below) ©FAO/Giampiero Diana; Page 13: Gilberto Gil, photos (above)©FAO/Simone Casetta, (below) ©FAO/Luigi Spaventa; Page 14: Raul González Blanco, photos (above) courtesy RealMadrid, (middle) ©FAO/Mamadou Gomis, (below) courtesy Real Madrid; Page 15 - Italian Singers, photos courtesy ofAssociazione Nazionale Italiana; Page 16: Mory Kanté, photos ©FAO/Simone Casetta; Page 17: Ronan Keating, photos(above) ©FAO/Simone Casetta, (below) ©FAO/Luigi Spaventa; Page 18: Khaled, photos ©FAO/Simone Casetta; Page 19:Gong Li, photo (above) ©FAO/Luigi Spaventa; Page 20: Gina Lollobrigida, photos ©FAO/Simone Casetta; Page 21: MiriamMakeba, photos ©FAO/Giulio Napolitano; Page 22: Maná, courtesy of Maná; Page 23: María Gloria Penayo De Duarte, pho-tos (above) ©FAO/Simone Casetta, (below) ©FAO/Fabiana Santorelli; Page 24: Rita Levi Montalcini, photos ©FAO/SimoneCasetta; Page 25: Youssou N‚Dour, photos ©FAO/Simone Casetta; Page 26: Noa, photos ©FAO/Simone Casetta; Page 27:Justine Pasek, photos (above) ©FAO/Simone Casetta, (below); Page 28: Massimo Ranieri, photos ©FAO/GiampieroDiana; Page 29: Oumou Sangaré, photos ©FAO/Simone Casetta; Page 30: Chucho Valdes, photos ©FAO/Simone Casetta;Page 31: Dionne Warwick, photos (above) ©FAO/Simone Casetta, (below) ©FAO/Giampiero Diana.

Graphic design: Cecilia Valli - DTP: Enzo Criscione

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

World Food Day and Special Initiatives Branch (KCIW)

Sidaty Aidara, ChiefTel: + 39 06 57054166

Rosarita Pagano, FAO AmbassadorsProgramme SecretariatTel: + 39 06 57056135Fax: + 39 06 57053210

GoodwillAmbassadors@fao.org

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