George Clooney becomes UN Messenger of Peace

Jan 31, 2008, 17:46 GMT

01/07/2008 - George Clooney - 13th Annual Critics\' Choice Awards - Arrivals - Santa Monica Civic Auditorium - Santa Monica, California. USA © Albert L. Ortega / PR Photos

New York - Academy Award winner George Clooney was appointed Thursday a Messenger of Peace for the United Nations, a new role that he said involves shoring up flagging support for UN troops around the world.

Clooney appeared at UN headquarters in New York to receive a certificate and a dove pin from Deputy Secretary General Asha Rose Migiro, held a press conference and was scheduled to meet with governments that contribute troops to peace missions.

He said he had personally been focusing on the ethnic war in Sudan's Darfur, but would now like to see more places where UN peace troops are based.

'I'll go wherever I have to that will bring my attention,' he said. He has visited several African countries deeply troubled by destructive conflicts, and said UN peacekeeping operations played a part in restoring peace.

Clooney said he was 'proud' to accept the three-year position.

'I can fail more than I can succeed,' he said, pledging to lobby governments, particularly Washington, to provide funding and military equipment to help the peacekeepers.

The UN has appointed at least 12 Messengers of Peace to help its activities around the world, including Jordanian Princess Haya Bint Al-Hussein, whose focus is on hunger; orchestra conductor and pianist Daniel Barenboim, who focuses peace and tolerance; Michael Douglas on disarmament; cellist Yo-Yo Ma, youth; and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Elie Wiesel on human rights.

Messengers of Peace are chosen because of their integrity and a strong desire and ability to mobilize public interest and support for UN principles. They are also individuals recognized for talents in the arts, sciences, literature and entertainment.