Former Miss South Pacific Merewalesi Nailatikau today joined a global list of international goodwill ambassadors and regional and national ambassadors for UNICEF.
At the launch of UNICEF's State of the World Childrens Report 2011, UNICEF announced Nailatikau's appointment as the first ever UNICEF Regional Ambassador for the Pacific.
UNICEF representative Isiye Ndombi said Nailatikau joined a growing list of well known and highly respected personalities throughout the world from sports, music, and performing and film arts and many other specialist fields who play an important advocacy role to help promote the work of UNICEF.
UNICEF's Goodwill and regional ambassadors include world renowned figures like Bollywood mega star Amitabh Bachchan, Soccer's most valuable player David Beckham, and Hollywood stars such as Orlando Bloom, Jackie Chan Danny Glover, Whoopi Goldberg, Ricky Martin and Susan Sarandon.
Speaking to Fijivillage, Nailatikau said she knows that the role comes with huge responsibilities to ensure the voice and concerns of the youth in the Pacific is echoed on the world stage.
Meanwhile, this year, UNICEF has dedicated the State of the World report to adolescents.
Ndombi said the report refers to adolescence as the age of opportunity when learning and development of skills are at their greatest heights.
He said it is during this time that adolescents are able to develop skills to pull themselves out of poverty and make a significant contribution to their communities.
However, he stressed that is also a time when risk, vulnerability and missed opportunities can completely derail their development and potential.
The report was launched at a function at USP this afternoon.
Story by: Roneel Lal
Feature
Former Miss South Pacific chosen as UNICEF goodwill ambassador
