A new Goodwill Ambassador

Goodwill Ambassadors are often chosen for their high visibility and their potential for bringing particular issues to the forefront. Russell Watson, classical singer from the UK has been so honored. He has been named Goodwill Ambassador for Peace and Development and Spokesperson for WAFUNIF’s (The World Association of Former UN Interns and Fellows) Culture of Peace Campaign whose role is to engage individuals, sponsors, groups, and businesses in the WAFUNIF effort to educate and raise awareness, of the general public about the International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-Violence for the Children of the World, 2001-2010. The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed the Decade in its resolution 53/25. It is regarded as a model in promoting six unifying and interrelated values, identified by several Nobel Peace Laureates, as common to all societies, cultures and nations: Respect All Life, Reject Violence, Share With Others, Listen To Understand, Preserve The Planet, and Rediscover Solidarity. WAFUNIF proposes to promote the message of peace and non-violence by creating Culture of Peace Learning Multicenters, the first of which was recently opened in El Viejo Chinandega, Nicaragua. These centers will offer programmes in computer skills, mathematics, science, English, conflict prevention and peaceful co-existence entertainment games, an introductory course in UN humanitarian issues such as HIV/AIDS and environment and children’s rights. The WAFUNIF Multicenter in El Viejo will serve a population of 25 disabled children, 525 of the poorest children from six of the most deprived rural schools in the northwestern province of Nicaragua. There will also be night classes for young adults, 30 school teachers and 30 family adults. The programme will have a graduating class every six months and operate on a most needed basis so most of the two hundred plus public schools of the entire region can be served in the coming months and years. The Centre is contributing to community development by generating employment and training opportunities for community residents. WAFUNIF has brought together representatives of the public, private, and civil society sectors in cooperation as multi-stakeholders to help finance the Centre’s operation and sustainability. For Example, the President of Nicaragua contributed ten-computer stations; the Municipality of El Viejo is providing transportation and refreshments for the students, while local business and civil society leaders are providing logistical support.

Russell, your appointment dates back to October 2001. What were your first reactions or impressions when you were informed of this appointment ?
The first reaction was why me? I don’t really know anything about politics and I wasn’t exactly sure what my role would be. And I guess having been on my first mission for WAFUNIF about a week ago, I went to Nicaragua, where I visited some local schools, very underprivileged schools, poverty stricken, one in particular that we visited – an orphanage — with 40 children, all abandoned by their parents because they were handicapped, a very sad place.

Was this one a WAFUNIT sponsored culture of peace learning center ?
Yes, it was the very first multi service learning center which we installed with the Vice President of Nicaragua. As I remember visiting this school as I was handing out pencils and paper and sweets, and having two children of my own, an 8 year old and a 2 year old I was particularly touched. I’ve been seeing faces of the children when we gave out the pencils and the paper. My kids, I buy them things and they say yeah, thanks. You only realize when you see children as underprivileged as that how much something like a pencil means to them. It was at that time, I guess that I realized for the first time since my appointment in 2001, the importance of my role in WAFUNIF.

Was this the first time you have been in a developing country ?
Yes. It was quite an eye opener to me. You see visuals on television, you see visuals on the news and you think, wow, that looks grim dreadful, it’s bad. You may think for five minutes “Oh I’d like to do something about that. And it becomes a fleeting memory within a half hour. I think when you actually go and you witness these things first hand, it has a completely different impact in your life than seeing visuals on the screen

One of your key roles will be as a spokesperson for the culture of peace and non-violence campaign for the next decade. Having been here in the UN today and seeing the demonstrations outside and seeing how basically peace did not really win the day with current situation, how do you see your role promoting peace at this time. How can you go out there and convince people about the importance of peace. Its very difficult particularly at a time like this and I guess there seems to be a stark irony attached to the fact that I received my Ambassadorship for Peace and Goodwill today at the outbreak of war but as individuals, as human beings, we can only do our best, we can only strive for peace. We can only do our best in given situations and as I said coming back to the faces of the children in Nicaragua it’s things like that that give you the will to go on in the adversity of what’s going on around us. We can’t just throw down all our principles and all our morals because of what’s going on. We have to strive and continue. It’s a very difficult time. There is no denying that.

I also notice that one of your other roles is to promote WAFUNIF’s Anti Land-Mine Programme. Has there been any accomplishment- in this direction ?
We have not really broached that subject yet but again that is something I would want to get heavily involved with and again as I said back to the Nicaragua situation, I feel that I will get more of a hands on approach and a better idea of what that is all about when I go over there and experience first hand. I want to be a Goodwill ambassador to WAFUNIF. I don’t want to say just say “Hi I am Russell Watson. I’m a big star in the UK and US and I support WAFUNIF.” I want to get off my backside and go out there and make a difference. You get so many people involved in different charities and they talk the talk and they don’t necessarily walk the walk.

Yes, I was thinking of many entertainers, such as Bono, who are really out there, who are real advocates
He is an artist that you could inspire to.

How do you see your role ? Very time limited or far ranging ?
I see it as a long-term thing. It is something I believe I will develop into the role. I am not inferring that I will be the spokesperson and headline this campaign after only having made one visit to a developing country. This is going to be a learning curve for me. It is something that I am really interested in getting involved in.

And you are an entertainer and singer and probably write your own songs, can you see a marriage between your career and role as Goodwill ambassador. Do you see yourself singing songs of peace or goodwill ?
I can’t possibly predict what my future, as an artist will be. At the moment I am successful in the field I am involved with and hopefully that may continue. The crux of the issue is that I have an opportunity to make a difference and to be given that opportunity in my opinion is a great honor.

WAFUNIF is the sole alumni organization of the UN system, and has been a United Nations Peace Messenger since 1987. WAFUNIF, with members in 148 countries, engages in cross-organizational cooperation and interaction with the UN system, particularly bodies having internships, fellowships, and other training programmes. WAFUNIF activities, including seminars and special projects, are devoted solely to UN matters are implemented in close cooperation with agencies and organizations of the UN system. WAFUNIF promotes the vital role of the UN in educating and training for development and peace, particularly among young people. Over the years of its existence, WAFUNIF has developed a substantive identity. Through many modalities and in many contexts, WAFUNIF has consistently raised those substantive issues that are close to its core. The diversity of WAFUNIF’s membership has enabled the Organization to understand the complexity of issues that are being considered and/or should be considered by the international community. WAFUNIF tries to bring to the forefront the sometimes, neglected dimensions of critical issues and policies and programmes.

WAFUNIF’s main aims and purposes are :

• To serve as the alumni association for former UN interns and fellows;
• To constitute a channel of communication between the UN system and those whom it has serviced through its internship and fellowship programmes;
• To use the individual and collective resources of its members to promote at all levels, research, information, and education to help improve public understanding of the principles, activities and potentialities of the UN;
• To rekindle amongst its members interest in and commitment to UN objectives; and
• To support and encourage the maintenance and further development of internships, fellowships and other types of training programmes within the United Nations system.

Membership in WAFUNIF is open to former interns and fellows of the United Nations and its subsidiary organs, the specialized agencies, the International Atomic Energy Agency, and other organs or former organizations of the United Nations system. Present interns and fellows of these organizations who wish to join in anticipation of the completion of their internship and fellowship are also eligible for membership. WAFUNIF welcomes new members. Membership application forms may be completed on-line or downloaded from the Organization’s website: www.wafunif.org or by writing to: WAFUNIF, UN, Room FF646, 304 East 45 ^th Street, 6 ^th floor, New York, NY 10017, USA, Telefax: +21 2 963 46 09; Telephone: +21 2 963 31 10;

Email: wafunif@wafunif.org.

Interview by Maria Dweggah.