( dpa ) - US actor and activist George Clooney was named a United Nations Messenger of Peace Friday, a position that will allow him to continue raising awareness of international political and social issues.
Clooney was appointed to the position by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, who asked him to focus on UN peacekeeping around the world. Clooney has been an advocate on human rights and has spoken out against atrocities in Sudan's Darfur region.
He will attend UN meetings of troop-contributing countries at UN headquarters in New York.
The UN said Messengers of Peace are individuals who possess widely recognized talents in the fields of art, film, literature, music and sports and who can help raise awareness of UN ideals and activities around the world.
Messengers of Peace included former boxing champion Muhammad Ali and the late Luciano Pavarotti.