IOM Goodwill Ambassador Programme and Celebrity Engagement

In March 2023, His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, Prince William, visited Warsaw, Poland on a two-day official visit. He stopped by an IOM-supported shelter that houses more than 700 people who fled Ukraine after the war broke out in February 2022. He also met with Ukrainian and Polish youth, speaking with them about the conflict, fleeing Ukraine, and starting a new life in Poland.

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Together with American TV host Jeannie Mai and celebrities Shanola Hampton, Diego Tinoco, and Leona Lewis, IOM created a celebrity campaign to amplify survivor stories, advocate and generate support, and reduce the risks of human trafficking.

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Japanese composer and rock star Yoshiki Hayashi has made significant contributions to IOM to assist our efforts in helping people affected by the war in Ukraine. The donations directly supported emergency relief operations in Ukraine and neighbouring countries. Funding provided by his foundation, Yoshiki Foundation America, also helped IOM to launch a grant programme to support music and arts initiatives in Ukraine.

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Asser Yassin is a renowned Egyptian actor, writer and film producer. He has received many distinguished awards, including best actor from the Festival International Cinema Mediterranean Tetouan in 2015, Malmo Arab Film Festival in 2011, and Carthage Film Festival in 2010. He will advocate and raise awareness for migrant rights, and promote safe, dignified and regular migration.

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Nelly Karim is an Egyptian film and television actress who started her career as the Cairo Opera House’s prima ballerina. She has starred in critically acclaimed productions, choosing stories and roles that highlight some of the key struggles affecting women at large. Nelly has received many distinguished international awards, including best actress awards at the Cairo International Film Festival and the Arab Film Festival. She has advocated for migrant rights and promoted safe, dignified, and regular migration.

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In 2005, IOM and the Ricky Martin Foundation (FRM) signed a global cooperation agreement to raise awareness and combat the sexual exploitation and trafficking of children. In Colombia, with financial support from the Royal Embassy of the Netherlands, the "Don't Let Anyone Shatter Your Dreams" counter-trafficking information campaign was launched in 2006. This campaign aired on various national television channels and included advertisements featuring Ricky Martin. The campaign resulted in a 57 per cent increase in daily calls to hotline numbers.

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From 2004 to 2005, IOM developed the Matching Funds strategy, with financial support from USAID, for humanitarian and protection projects aimed at assisting vulnerable Colombians, particularly those displaced by conflict. As part of this strategy, IOM backed the social initiative Conexión Colombia, a platform of resources from Colombians residing abroad. Thanks to the success of this fundraising page, several projects received funding, including pop star Shakira’s foundation, Pies Descalzos, which led to the education of 1,030 children and adolescents in Colombia, as well as the expansion and equipping of school facilities.

For more information, click here.