UNDP / MICHELLE YEOH

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) today (15 Mar) appointed award-winning action heroine Michelle Yeoh as its newest Goodwill Ambassador. UNDP

• Categories: News & Features / News Stories / Unifeed
• Video Length: 00:01:38
• Production Date: 15 March 2016
• Asset Language: English
• Personal Subject: HELEN CLARK
• Subject Topical: DEVELOPMENT
• MAMS Id: 1583123
• Parent Id: 1583123
• Alternate Title: unifeed160315e

Description

STORY: UNDP / MICHELLE YEOH
TRT: 01:38
SOURCE: UNDP
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS

DATELINE: 15 MARCH 2016, NEW YORK CITY

Shotlist

1. Various shots, Press conference at UNDP Headquarters
2. SOUNDBITE (English), Helen Clark, UNDP Administrator:
“We are pleased to appoint Michelle Yeoh as a UNDP Goodwill Ambassador.”
3. SOUNDBITE (English), Michelle Yeoh, UNDP Goodwill Ambassador:
“I want to be there for all those around the world who struggle to get back on their feet and provide for their families, whether it’s because they are born poor, born a woman, or born in areas that are affected by natural or manmade disasters. So UNDP has really given me the perfect synergy and platform. UNDP celebrates its 50th Anniversary this year. It works around the clock, around the world to help people overcome these challenges so they can have a shot at a better life, in a safer world, on a healthier planet.”
4. Medium shot, presser
5. SOUNDBITE (English), Michelle Yeoh, UNDP Goodwill Ambassador:
“I think the empowerment of people comes from knowledge. Through UNDP I really hope to be able to raise more awareness, to get the message out, hopefully to my fans, hopefully people who will listen, and to keep knocking on their door so that they can understand that they all have a part to play in this. And together who can make a big difference.”
6. Various shot, Press conference

Storyline

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) today (15 Mar) appointed award-winning action heroine Michelle Yeoh as its newest Goodwill Ambassador.

The Malaysian-born actress will focus on raising awareness and mobilizing support for the recently launched Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“I want to be there for all those who are left behind in this world, whether it’s because they are born poor, born a woman or born in an area affected by devastation,” said Michelle Yeoh, speaking at a press conference held at UNDP headquarters in New York City. “As a UNDP Goodwill Ambassador, I want to do all I can to help people overcome barriers and have a shot at a better life, in a safer world, on a healthier planet.”

Having personally experienced the deadly earthquake that struck Nepal while she was visiting the country in April 2015, Yeoh will leverage her influence as an actress and advocate to shine a spotlight on disaster recovery efforts in Nepal and beyond. She will also pursue her longstanding passion for global development issues, including gender equality and the eradication of poverty.

Internationally acclaimed for her roles in the James Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies, Ang Lee’s multiple Academy Award-winning Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and its recently released sequel, Yeoh is equally renowned for her advocacy and philanthropic efforts. Her previous engagements concerning development issues include: appointments as Global Ambassador for Live to Love and Make Roads Safe campaign in 2012, advocacy during the Zero Discrimination Campaign (UNAIDS) in 2013, and a Live to Love humanitarian aid trip to Nepal last year.

Along with her partner, Jean Todt of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile, Yeoh will continue to be an outspoken advocate for road safety, an issue they both have supported for years.

Yeoh joins the current roster of UNDP Goodwill Ambassadors, including Spanish actor Antonio Banderas, U.S. actress Connie Britton and Japanese actress Misako Kono; soccer legends Didier Drogba, Iker Casillas, Ronaldo, Marta Vieira da Silva and Zinedine Zidane.