How to Become a UN Goodwill Ambassador

A Guide for Aspiring Goodwill Advocates

Are you passionate about making a positive impact on the world? Do you have a unique platform and a desire to use your voice for good? If so, you may be considering a career as a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador. Did you know some local United Nations Associations have their own Goodwill Ambassadors?

What is a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador?

A United Nations (UN) Goodwill Ambassador, also known as a UN Ambassador, is a renowned individual from the arts, music, cinema, sport, literature, or the sciences, who has been enlisted to advocate for the various causes the United Nations champions. 

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General Job Description

In general, the job of a UN ambassador is to promote the work of the United Nations in areas where there is a need to focus worldwide attention. This work may take place at a national, regional, or international level.

Their main objectives are to:

• Raise public and political awareness
• Motivate people to act in the interest of improving their own lives and those of their fellow citizens
• Participate in certain pre-approved UN events
• Travel to UN operations in the field for first-hand observation
• Engage in public advocacy and fundraising activities
• Refrain from any conduct that would adversely reflect on the United Nations
• Obtain guidance on specific activities from the UN staff assigned to act as a liaison

Difference Between a 'UN Ambassador' and an 'Ambassador to the UN'

The term "United Nations Ambassador" is often confused with the term, "Ambassador to the United Nations." A UN ambassador is a celebrity advocate who helps draw worldwide attention to issues that affect the wellbeing of millions, or even billions 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 their country, and represent their country's 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.

How Much Do They Earn?

UN ambassadors volunteer their time, passion, energy, and talents to promote peace and other aims of the Charter of the United Nations. They are not paid a salary. A symbolic payment of $1 per year or equivalent may be granted to them.

UN Goodwill Ambassadors may be given travel and daily subsistence allowances when they are traveling on behalf of the UN, depending on the discretion of the sub-organization that they represent. UN Goodwill Ambassadors are, however, encouraged to self-finance their travel.

Characteristics Needed to Become a Successful UN Ambassador

The UN doesn't just pick anyone to become one of its Goodwill Ambassadors. If you hope to become one someday, you must meet the following criteria:

• Be at the top of your field: You must be a household name. Whether it's broadcasting, politics, the literary world, the performing arts, or in a sport, your talents and achievements must make you stand out from those who stand out.
• Represent cultural values: To have the maximum impact on a target population, you must represent the cultural values of that population.
• Personal values: Arguably the most important trait you'll need is a set of personal values that align with the mandate of the UN. Do you have a deep concern for the world's poor, environmental sustainability, protecting human rights, or empowering women? If so, you're off to a good start.
• Live and breathe it: In the past, some ambassadors have been accused of merely using their title as a UN Goodwill Ambassador to boost their image. Doing so would impede someone from becoming truly successful in this role. You must be committed to upholding the UN's values in your everyday life, as well as in the role, in order to succeed as a UN ambassador.

Who Creates Jobs for Them?

It may seem obvious that the United Nations creates jobs for its ambassadors, but it's a big organization. Since 1954, a total of 16 United Nations system organizations (2006 statistics) have at some time had an ambassadors program in place. These programs are, however, at different stages of development; some fully fledged, while others are still in development. These organizations include:

• Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
• United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
• United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
• Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
• World Health Organization (WHO)
• United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
• World Food Programme (WFP)
• United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM)
• United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO)

Being Chosen as a UN Ambassador: Selection Criteria

Individuals who are invited to serve as UN Goodwill Ambassadors must typically meet the following criteria:

• Have widely recognized talent in the arts, sciences, literature, entertainment, sports or other fields of public life
• Demonstrate a strong desire to help mobilize public support for the cause
• Demonstrate the commitment and proven potential to reach out to significant audiences, including decision makers
• Have good credentials related to the mandate (such as the environment, human rights, etc.) in work or life
• Must be passionate and inspiring with regards to the mandate of the organization
• Possess the personality and dignity required for such high-level representative capacity
• Be influential beyond their national borders, thus having the ability to promote the values of the UN internationally
• Be knowledgeable and articulate with regards to the goals and activities of the mandate being represented
• Not be engaged with or endorsed products, organizations or causes that conflict with the UN's values

Please Note: At the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, Goodwill Ambassadors are selected for their experience in the private sector and international trade, to play an advisory role, in addition to the customary advocacy function. They are typically bankers, industrialists, and business people, rather than celebrities.

Who Appoints UN Ambassadors?

United Nations Goodwill Ambassadors are designated by the heads of United Nations Funds, Programmes and specialized Agencies, such as UNICEF, the World Food Programme (WFP) and The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Goodwill Ambassadors are subsequently endorsed by the Secretary-General.

How Many Ambassadors Positions Exist?

Goodwill Ambassadors may have different titles at each sub-organization within the UN. As of 2006, there were more than 400 Goodwill Ambassadors for the UN, under the different categories and titles.

Similar Occupations

If you're interested in becoming an Ambassador for the United Nations, the following careers may also be of interest to you:

• Animal Rights Coordinator
• Diplomat
• Human Rights Activist
• International Aid Worker
• Social Worker

References

To find out more about what a United Nations Ambassador does, and how to become one, please consult the following resources:

• United Nations website: https://www.un.org/en/
• United Nations Development Programme website: https://www.undp.org/
• UN Women website: https://www.unwomen.org/en

Applicable Majors

The university majors below are applicable to a career as an ambassador for the United Nations, as they can teach you relevant skills and competencies. Click on the majors to find out what other careers are applicable to them!

• African Studies
• International Development Studies
• Philosophy
• Political Science
• Psychology

Additional Resources

• "Blue Book"
  • Available online, the "Blue Book" contains contact information for all 193 Member States.  Information given includes the address and phone number of the Permanent Mission of each Member State in New York City, the name of their Ambassador, and the names of other Mission officials and staff members.
• Delegates' Handbook
  • The Delegates' Handbook is a booklet that contains information of a general nature about United Nations Headquarters and is applicable throughout the current session.
• Manual of Protocol
  • The Manual of Protocol has information every delegate needs to know, from letters of credentials, diplomatic privileges and immunities, and more.
• Web Portal
  • Delegates have their own website at deleGATE, which contains information of interest to delegates, with both public and restricted content.
• UN Journal
• The daily Journal of the United Nations lists the meetings and events being held at UN Headquarters each day, including General Assembly, Security Council and Economic and Social Council meetings.