Maravi

UN appoints Moyo as MDGs advocate

UN appoints Moyo as MDGs advocate
By Masuzyo Chakwe
Saturday May 31, 2008 [04:27]

THE United Nations system in Zambia has appointed Zambian singer Marsha Moyo as the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGS) advocate for the country. During a press briefing yesterday, UN resident coordinator Aeneas Chuma said the UN system in Zambia decided to enlist Marsha's support for the sole purpose of lending greater impetus to the MDG campaign.

Chuma said the appointment of the UN advocate was aimed at focusing attention on the priorities set up by UN member states in the millennium declaration, which had served as the organisation's guide since.

He said over the years, the UN had attracted some of the world's most prominent personalities who had demonstrated their willingness to deviate both their time and prestige to advocating for some of the world's most pressing issues in support of the UN.
Chuma said Marsha's appointment was unique in a number of aspects.

"First, she will be the first ever Zambian national to be appointed as UN MDGs advocate for Zambia. Secondly, Marsha becomes the first ever celebrity to be jointly by all UN agencies resident in any single country to advocate for UN ideals. This means that as spokesperson for the MDGs in Zambia, she will be representing the views of all the 13 UN agencies, funds and programmes based in this country," he said.

Chuma commended Marsha for her decision to support the work of the UN in Zambia in this respect and assured her that as an advocate, she was about to embark on one of the most rewarding experiences of her life.

"In our view, Ms Moyo is the perfect advocate for the MDGs in Zambia, having previously engaged in extensive work designed to uplift the welfare of her fellow citizens.

Marsha's experience and long standing commitment to this noble cause distinguishes her as an individual who had mastered deep understanding of the work of the UN in this field and has the ability therefore to further the organisation's ideals as a spokesperson for the MDGs," he said.

Chuma said often as professionals, they attracted criticism for failing to communicate as desired to the people they claim to serve.

He said artistes such as Marsha were able to reach audiences that the UN could not reach.
Chuma also said Zambia was on the right track to meeting most of the MDGs.
And Marsha said she was humbled by the appointment and pledged her support to the UN.

UN millennium campaign director, Salil Shetty said it would be difficult to realise the MDGs if the people at the grassroots were not involved.

Labels: MARSHA MOYO, MDGs, UN

posted by MrK @ 3:15 PM