Jazzman Herbie Hancock named UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) will designate United States jazz musician Herbie Hancock as a Goodwill Ambassador later this month, the agency announced today.

UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova said the designation recognizes Mr. Hancock’s “dedication to the promotion of peace through dialogue, culture and the arts.”

Ms. Bokova has asked Mr. Hancock “to contribute to UNESCO’s efforts to promote mutual understanding among cultures, with a particular emphasis on fostering the emergence of new and creative ideas amongst youth, to find solutions to global problems, as well as on ensuring equal access to the diversity of artistic expressions,” the agency said in a news release.

Mr. Hancock, the holder of an Academy Award for his film score to “Round Midnight” and 14 Grammy Awards, has been an integral part of every popular music movement since the 1960’s, UNESCO said.

He will be officially designated as ambassador at UNESCO headquarters in Paris on 22 July.

The agency’s Goodwill Ambassadors are celebrity advocates who spread the ideals of UNESCO through their name and fame. They have made important contributions towards UNESCO’s objectives and aims in the fields of education, culture, science and communication and information.

There are about 45 UNESCO Goodwill Ambassadors who volunteer their services without pay, including Nobel Peace Prize laureates Nelson Mandela of South Africa and Rigoberta Menchú of Guatemala.