14 June 2002

New York, U.S.A.: Honorary Ambassador Takehito Nakata of Japan will represent United Nations Volunteers (UNV) at a gathering of United Nations Messengers of Peace (MOP) and Goodwill Ambassadors (GWA) at United Nations Headquarters from 18 to 19 June 2002.

Mr. Nakata became the first Honorary Ambassador for UNV in 1993 following the assassination of his son. In April 1992, Atsuhito Nakata, the only son of Mr. Nakata, was killed during the course of his duties as a UNV District Electoral Supervisor with the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC). This event led Mr. Nakata to abandon his import-export career to follow in his son's footsteps by promoting human rights and the work of the United Nations in the international community.

The Secretary-General invited the Goodwill Ambassadors to the "Celebrity Advocacy for the New Millennium" workshops to share information and to enlist support to lend greater impetus to the Millennium Development Goals campaign.

In the nine years since Mr. Nakata became an Honorary Ambassador for UNV he has undertaken over 1,500 speaking engagements for UNV and the UN throughout Japan. Each year he undertakes at least one field mission for UNV, travelling to such countries as India, Mongolia, Somalia and Cambodia.

Mr. Nakata's work as an Honorary Ambassador in the international community has been recognized at the highest levels of the Japanese Government. It has been instrumental in strengthening the partnership between Japan and UN Volunteers. His involvement has also given him the opportunity to meet the Secretary-General, to establish the Atsuhito Nakata Memorial Fund which finances development initiatives in Cambodia and other volunteer-related activities and to serve as a key advocate of voluntary action during the UN International Year of Volunteers 2001.

The 44 high-profile advocates attending the workshops and representing the worlds of art, music, film, sports, literature and public affairs help raise awareness of key United Nations issues and activities. During the meetings, they will speak out on the topics of poverty, HIV/AIDS and intolerance, the status of women, promoting educational and employment opportunities for youth as well as the protection of vulnerable groups such as children and refugees.

Other Goodwill Ambassadors/Messengers of Peace include actress Angelina Jolie (UNHCR), actor Sir Peter Ustinov (UNICEF), and Her Royal Highness Princess Basma Bint Talal (UNDP, UNIFEM and UNFPA).