Soccer star Zidane appointed UNDP Goodwill Ambassador
Geneva, 17 June 2001
UNDP appointed French soccer star Zinédine Zidane as Goodwill Ambassador for the fight against poverty at a ceremony yesterday at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.
"As UNDP Goodwill Ambassador, Zinédine Zidane's mission will be to help convince a growing number of people, institutions and businesses to join the fight against poverty," said Zéphirin Diabré, UNDP Associate Director. "I warmly thank you for your support and your commitment to our cause."
"We should not be deterred by the remaining problems," said Zidane, "because the good news is that each of us can do something to help reduce poverty."
Zidane joins the ranks of other UNDP Goodwill Ambassadors, including Brazilian soccer star Ronaldo, US actor Danny Glover, South African Nobel Prize winner Nadine Gordimer and Japanese actress Misako Kono.
"Zinédine Zidane and Ronaldo are two heroes from national teams that battle to be the best in the world," said Mr. Diabré. "Now they are on the same team."
Zidane first collaborated with UNDP over a year ago, when he and Ronaldo launched the UNDP "Teams to End Poverty" campaign. Their advertisement for the campaign has been carried by media outlets throughout Europe, urging people to get involved in action against poverty
"As UNDP Goodwill Ambassador, Zinédine Zidane's mission will be to help convince a growing number of people, institutions and businesses to join the fight against poverty," said Zéphirin Diabré, UNDP Associate Director. "I warmly thank you for your support and your commitment to our cause."
