UNICEF in Egypt celebrated on Sunday the organisation's 70th anniversary, inducting three Egyptian celebrities into its goodwill ambassador programme.

The mission of the UN body's newly appointed ambassadors -- which include comedian Ahmed Helmy and actresses Mona Zaki and Donia Samir Ghanem -- is to support, through various initiatives and activities, UNICEF's mission to end violence against children and protect children's rights, especially in the first 1000 days of life.

UNICEF has operated in Egypt and the region since the early fifties, in collaboration with the government, private sector and the civil society groups to advance the rights and wellbeing of children.

One of the organisations most effective tools has been capitalising on the fame and popularity of celebrities and public figures to advocate on behalf of its mission.

Helmy, Zaki and Ghanem participated in UNICEF's Fight Unfair campaign in Egypt, which worked to address challenges facing children here and the Arab World, including child labor, disease, emotional and physical abuse, and the marginalisation of children with disabilities.

The Egyptian celebrities now join a fleet of ambassadors worldwide, which includes Liam Neeson, Katy Perry, Kazem El Saher, Nancy Ajram, Lionel Messi and David Beckham among others

Source: Ahram online