Click here to visit the new home of Blackvoices!

HOT ON HUFFPOST BLACKVOICES:

 

Categories

Contributors

Other BV Blogs

Actor Don Cheadle Named UN Goodwill Ambassador

By Ruth Manuel-Logan on Jun 7th 2010 11:03AM
Filed under: News

Comments (4)

Actor Don Cheadle Named UN Goodwill Ambassador

Internationally respected actor Don Cheadle has taken on a new humanitarian role as an environmentalist. He was appointed last Saturday in Kingali, Rwanda, as the Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Environment Program during a ceremony to mark the World Environment Day (WED).



Cheadle's appointment was announced in Volcanoes National Park during the WED festivities. The actor, who has played a range of distinguished and memorable roles, took part in the traditional Kwita Izina gorilla-naming ceremony. Rwanda, the "Land of a Thousand Hills," holds a special place in Cheadle's heart. He was nominated for an Academy Award for his powerful portrayal in the 2004 heart-wrenching docudrama 'Hotel Rwanda.'

Achim Steiner, UNEP executive director and United Nations under-secretary-general, who joined Cheadle for WED, said in a U.N. press release:

"It is an honor to welcome such an icon as Don Cheadle to this important role. UNEP does not appoint Goodwill Ambassadors lightly. Through his humanitarian work and his passion for the environment, Mr. Cheadle will raise green awareness among millions of people around the planet and draw attention to ways we can deal with issues like pollution and environmental-based conflict."

Cheadle has been a passionate advocate of environmental issues, and his crusades include work on clean energy and climate change. The avid humanitarian has also campaigned vigorously for genocide victims.

As UNEP Goodwill Ambassador, Cheadle will use celeb status to rally the public to embrace more sustainable lifestyles, promote the greening of the entertainment industry and other sectors, and take part in UNEP public outreach initiatives. "I would love it if we were able to live in a world which is in harmony with its environment. I am surprised the environment is not at the top of the agenda. What is more important than clean air and a healthy planet? I hope this designation as UNEP Goodwill Ambassador will give me the opportunity to motivate the public to take action and bring people together to tackle environmental challenges."



Comments: (3)

Add a comment

Page 1 of 1

Add a Comment

Please keep your comments relevant to this blog entry. Email addresses are never displayed but they are required to confirm your comments. When you enter your name and email address, you'll be sent a link to confirm your comment, and a password. To leave another comment, just use that password."

Most Commented Articles

Daily Drama

The Best Clips From TV's Hottest Shows

More Daily Drama >>

Find a Message Board

Discover conversations on everyone from Barack to Beyonce. There are nearly 50 forums, so click on a category below and find the right one for you.