HEAD: Unicef Egypt has announced the appointment of leading actor Khaled Abol Naga as a Goodwill Ambassador. Abol Naga - the star of numerous movies as well as a top personality on television and radio - joins some 200 celebrities from around the world who work voluntarily with Unicef to highlight children s issues and concerns. "This is a role I have wanted for so long, Abol Naga said following a briefing by senior Unicef staff at the agency s Cairo office. "I believe that, because of my position, I can speak out issues that we find it hard to talk about, like HIV/AIDS and Female Genital Mutilation. Abol Naga said he hoped to be able to reach young people in particular, "to release the untapped energy that the younger generation have, that just needs to be channeled. Even before his formal appointment, Abol Naga was part of Unicef's Unite for Children, Unite against AIDS and Hepatitis C Campaign, which was launched last November. Unicef Egypt Representative, Erma Manoncourt, said Abol Naga s public profile would be a great asset to the agency s work. "The celebrities who work with us have a wide range of talents and achievements , said Manoncourt. "But they all share a commitment to improving the lives of children worldwide. And in Abol Naga s case, he has already demonstrated that commitment.
