Chidinma Perpetua Chikwelu
I was waiting for a flight one day when I heard two guys sitting next to me discussing Uchemba’s appointment as the “Ambassador to the United Nations”.
They believed he was specially appointed by the UN and being paid in millions for the role. I don’t blame Williams but your ignorance because if you want to know the truth, you will do a little research.
The term “United Nations Ambassador” is often confused with the term, “Ambassador to the United Nations”.
Let me explain because it seems some celebrities have succeeded in misleading their fans so they can feel important.
A United Nations ambassador is a celebrity advocate who helps draw worldwide attention to issues that affect the wellbeing of people. An ambassador to the United Nations, on the other hand, is a diplomatic official accredited to the United Nations to serve as the official representative of his or her own country.
They represent their countries’ interests in the UN General Assembly, and/or on the UN Security Council.
Simply put, a UN ambassador is a celebrity advocate, and an ambassador to the UN is a politician.
As a UN Goodwill Ambassador, you should have recognized talent in sciences, literature, entertainment, arts, sports or other fields of public life.
Some ambassadors especially celebrities have been accused of using their title as a UN Goodwill Ambassador to boost their image.
UN ambassadors are expected to volunteer their time, passion, energy and talents to promote peace and other aims of the United Nations. You must be committed to upholding the UN’s values in your everyday life, as well as in the role.
They are not paid salaries however, a symbolic payment of $1 per year or equivalent may be granted to them.
UN Goodwill Ambassadors may be given travel allowances when they are traveling on behalf of the UN, depending on the discretion of the sub-organization that they represent but they are usually encouraged to self-finance their travel.
As for Williams, a friend said he actually wrote ‘UN Ambassador’ on his profile sometime ago which he later changed to ‘Africa Youth Rep at United Nations’. Well, I’m not on Instagram so I don’t know.
The UN Youth Envoy denies knowing him or working with him. The truth is that he actually attended the ‘Youth Assembly’ which is organized by an organization called ‘The Friendship Ambassador Foundation’ that holds their meeting inside the UN building but they are not a branch of the UN.
What he didn’t also tell his fans is that the program is open to everyone to attend. For age 16-28. If you are above the age of 28, you can attend as an observer not a delegate.
In fact, the registration for the 23rd session which will hold in February is still open. Here is the link.
http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp…
If you are interested and you have a US visa or can get one before the end of January, then you can apply. There are other sessions after this.
In the UN building where the program takes place, you can take pictures with lots of dignitaries so you can brag to your friends if that is your goal of attending and not to contribute ideas.
There are so many opportunities like this open to the public and sometimes for a certain age bracket but you don’t know because you prefer to use your data and time to search for meaningless things on the internet and social media especially on that Instagram where you go to get yourself depressed because people are flaunting a fake lifestyle and you begin to see yourself as a failure.
No matter your field, even music and art, there are opportunities out there for you to travel so you can meet and partner with like minds across the globe working on same mission.
I will do my best to share these opportunities as much as I can from today so you can apply and stop seeing those of us who have had opportunity to be selected as people with two heads. Stop shouting “you are going places and I’m here doing nothing”. You too can go places.
Work for it, volunteer and advocate for the success of one of the SDG goals and in all you do, seek to create an impact and you will see yourself being selected for these programs. Some are fully funded, some are partially funded and some, you have to provide the funds yourself.
Reach out if you need help with an application, I will gladly help without any charge or direct you to friends especially my colleagues in the Afrika Youth Movement across the continent who are advocates in the field you are applying and they will help you without charge. We strive to make this world a better place and we believe everyone can contribute to the solution.
Application for the Afrika Youth Movement annual forum which will take place in Addis Ababa on the 20-23 February is open. https://docs.google.com/…/1968Z2VpBJcYQRI03ehujd9j…/viewform
The YALI West Africa onsite application is also open.
Apply.
Williams has done well in philanthropy. His fans should forgive him.
Have you a wonderful Christmas celebration.
