The United Nations' International Organization for Migration (IOM) has appointed five new Regional and National Goodwill Ambassadors from the worlds of sport, music, entertainment, fashion and public life to help advance understanding, inclusion and opportunities for migrants and displaced people worldwide. At a time of record displacement, rising global mobility and escalating humanitarian crises, migration and displacement continue to shape communities across the globe. Yet public discussions are increasingly polarized, often overlooking the experiences, contributions and aspirations of the people affected.
The new ambassadors are Pritika Swarup (Regional Goodwill Ambassador for North America), American international fashion model and entrepreneur; Luiza Brunet (National Goodwill Ambassador for Brazil) Brazilian model and longtime advocate for women's rights; Fatoumata Diawara (National Goodwill Ambassador for Mali), internationally acclaimed Malian singer-songwriter and actress; Deo Kato (National Goodwill Ambassador for the United Kingdom), British-Ugandan endurance runner and activist known for his 13,000-kilometre run from Cape Town to London; and Nicolas Brice Moumi Ngamaleu (National Goodwill Ambassador for Cameroon), Cameroonian international footballer.
Representing diverse regions, cultures and professional backgrounds, they will help IOM engage audiences where they have particular cultural relevance, influence and reach, including diaspora communities and audiences beyond their countries and regions. Through their platforms, they will foster greater understanding of migration and displacement, amplify the voices of migrants and displaced people, and encourage solidarity with affected communities.
"As the world faces multiple, overlapping crises, it has never been more important to build understanding and bring people together," said Stephanie Dei, Director of IOM's Private Sector Partnerships Division. "These ambassadors have the ability to reach audiences across generations and communities. Their voices can help challenge misconceptions, promote inclusion and inspire support for a future where migrants and displaced people can live in safety, dignity and hope."
For more than 75 years, IOM has worked alongside governments, communities and partners to support migrants and displaced people, respond to humanitarian emergencies, strengthen migration governance and help people build better futures. Migration, when safe and well-governed, is also a powerful driver of development, contributing skills, remittances and innovation to both countries of origin and destination. Today, IOM works in more than 170 countries, supporting people affected by conflict, disasters, climate change and other drivers of migration and displacement.
Goodwill Ambassadors play an important role in connecting global audiences with these realities. Through their visibility and influence, they help bring attention to issues that often compete with multiple global crises for public awareness, and by sharing stories of resilience, contribution and human potential, they help counter stigma and strengthen social cohesion.
Over the coming year, the ambassadors will take part in campaigns, events and storytelling initiatives designed to engage audiences across regions and generations, with the idea to reinforce a simple message: behind every journey is a person with aspirations, talents and potential.
