The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in Syria announced Wednesday the appointment of Syrian actor Qays Sheikh Najib as its first-ever ambassador to the country, aiming to support children’s rights to safety, health, and education.
The appointment was announced at a press conference in Damascus, held in commemoration of World Children’s Day. The ambassador will work with UNICEF to advocate for every child’s right to health, education, safety, and equality.
He will support programs for children, participate in campaigns aimed at changing perceptions, and raise awareness of UNICEF’s work while mobilizing resources for the benefit of children in Syria.
“Health, education, and other sectors in Syria are facing significant challenges and urgent needs, while resources remain limited,” said Zeinab Adam, Deputy Representative of UNICEF in Syria, at the press conference. “Our ambassador in Syria will play an important role in advocating for children and raising awareness that their future must be a priority for all.”
In turn, Qays Sheikh Najib said, “I am proud to be a UNICEF ambassador, and this is not just a title, but a moral duty,” he said, noting that during the 14 years of war, Syrian children have suffered, with many leaving school at a time when every child has the right to education, health, and a safe place to live. “I pledge to the children of my country that I will exert every effort to work for their well-being,” he concluded.
