MÉXICO CITY, 26 May 2012 - Mr. Javier Hernández,
also known as “Chicharito” or “Little Pea”, was named a UNICEF National
Ambassador for Mexico today. Mr. Hernández is a football player in
Mexico’s national team and also plays for the British team Manchester
United.
 |
| Named UNICEF National
Ambassador for Mexico by Susana Sottoli from
UNICEF |
“Mr. Hernández is a young man who, through his own life, has
demonstrated a clear ability to set and achieve his goals”, said Susana
Sottoli, UNICEF’s Representative in the Latin American country. “He has
been faithful to his principles, and keenly focused on his objectives.
I trust that he will be able to pass his approach to the children and
adolescents of Mexico. It is therefore a great pleasure for me to name
him as our National Ambassador, and welcome him as he joins our efforts
for Mexico’s children”.
Mr. Hernández’s talent has enabled him to play in one of the United
Kingdom’s best-known football teams, and to become one of his own
country’s most important footballers. But beyond his sports
achievements, he has displayed keen interest and determination to
contribute to the present and future of Mexico’s youths, especially
those most in need – which led to his designation as National
Ambassador.
“When I heard that UNICEF wished to invite me to become a National
Ambassador, immediately I thought: if it’s about doing something for the
kids of my country, I am in”, said Mr. Hernández during the designation
ceremony. “And now that this day has come, I want to express my
excitement and my commitment. We have a lot of work ahead of us, so
that all the children and adolescents of Mexico may fully exercise their
rights and enjoy all that they are entitled to”.
“Being a UNICEF National Ambassador is a significant responsibility.
I am now a spokesperson for this great organization, and must call
people to action in order to help millions of children and adolescents
have access to the same opportunities and to a better life”, he added.
Mr. Hernández asked his compatriots to “make a comeback” to overcome
the deep inequalities that affect children and adolescents in Mexico.
“Let’s unite for children, let’s keep up our score in achieving a better
present for Mexico’s children and adolescents”, he said.
Before the designation ceremony, the new National Ambassador had a
conversation with a group of children and adolescents, to exchange
opinions about the issues that concern them and affect their
development. Children and adolescents were able to express their
concerns, in the hope that Mr. Hernández will be able to play a key role
in supporting UNICEF address them.
Under the slogan of “let’s make a comeback”, UNICEF Mexico intends to
capitalize on Mr. Hernández’s designation in order to create increased
awareness around the need to give a better present and future to
hundreds of thousands of children who live in poverty, who leave school
and are obliged to work – thereby infringing children’s rights while
also inhibiting Mexico’s development prospects. Although Mexico is a
prosperous and modern middle-upper-income country, disparities are
astounding.
For more than half a century, UNICEF National Ambassadors have helped
improve the lives of children worldwide, by mobilizing public opinion
around their situation and appealing for resources to support UNICEF’s
programmes. Mr. Hernández is hence joining a long list of UNICEF
celebrity spokespersons, who use their talent and fame for the cause of
children’s rights. In Mexico, Mr. Hernández joins two existing National
Ambassador: singer and actor César Costa (since 2004) and singer
Julieta Venegas (since 2009).
Note to media: Photos of the event may be downloaded at
http://www.flickr.com/photos/unicefmexico
About UNICEFUNICEF works in 190 countries and
territories to help children survive and thrive, from early childhood
through adolescence. The world’s largest provider of vaccines for
developing countries, UNICEF supports child health and nutrition, good
water and sanitation, quality basic education for all boys and girls,
and the protection of children from violence, exploitation, and AIDS.
UNICEF is funded entirely by the voluntary contributions of individuals,
businesses, foundations and governments. For more information about
UNICEF and its work visit:
www.unicef.org
Follow us on
Twitter and
Facebook
For more information, please contact:UNICEF Mexico
Tel +5255 52849530
