The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) on Friday appointed Italian actor Raoul Bova, Canadian singer Celine Dion, Filipino singer Lea Salonga and American actress Susan Sarandon as FAO's Goodwill Ambassadors to help in the global fight against hunger, Xinhua reported.
FAO Director-General Jacques Diouf announced the appointment during celebrations of World Food Day in Rome, which takes as its theme this year "United Against Hunger."
The new Goodwill Ambassadors were present at the World Food Day ceremony in Rome, with the exception of Celine Dion, who was unable to attend, but accepted the honour in a video address, FAO said in a press release.
From humble beginnings in rural Canada, Grammy-award winner Celine Dion is one of the most well known contemporary pop vocalists.
Susan Sarandon, Oscar-winning actress and star of legendary movies, has received countless awards for her memorable performances in films such as Atlantic City, Thelma and Louise and Lorenzo's Oil. She won an Oscar for best actress for her moving and outstanding performance in Dead Man Walking.
An accomplished actor, Raoul Bova is immensely popular in Italy and is also well known internationally.
Singer and actress Lea Salonga, from Manila, the Philippines, has earned the admiration and respect of audience, peers, and critics for her performances worldwide. In her new capacity of FAO Goodwill Ambassador, Lea has also accepted to act as advocate for the Youth and United Nations Global Alliance initiative led by FAO.
By becoming FAO Goodwill Ambassadors, well-known personalities commit themselves personally and professionally to addressing the universal humanitarian goals that underpin FAO's mission -- to build a food-secure world for present and future generations.