UNICEF India appoints Hima Das as the first ever ‘Youth Ambassador’
New Delhi: To inspire and gather support of India’s 253 million adolescents towards the cause of children and young people, UNICEF India appoints Asian Games Gold medallist Hima Das asthe country’s first ever Youth Ambassador today in New Delhi.
Hima’s onboarding as a youth ambassador is part of a series of initiatives and events to advocate for a safe and supportive environment in schools for both boys and girls, in the lead up to World Children’s Day on 20 November. On this day, the Convention on the Rights of the Child was ratified.
An 18-year-old girl from the Dhing village in Assam, Hima[1] has emerged as an international award-winning sprint runner. Shehas won a silver medal in the 400 meters sprint at the recently-concluded Asian Games in Jakarta, and a gold in the 4X400 meters relay in the same event.
Through her appointment as a Youth Ambassador, she would act as a role model who will inspire millions of children and young people to take action in making the world a better place and ensuring that their rights are respected.
“It is an extremely proud moment for me. As an athlete, I get to meet a lot of young people and as UNICEF’s Youth Ambassador I will be able to amplify their voices and issues,” Hima said. “I want for every child, regardless of their background, gender or ability, to be able to access schools that are safe and supportive so that they can learn and thrive.”
Young people are effective champions for the issues that most impact them. This World Children’s Day, UNICEF Youth Ambassadors/ Advocates will be appointed across the globe to inspire other youth to take action and effectively catalyse children and young people as agents of change.
Ms Laura Siegrist Fouché- representing UNICEF India, said, “Hima is a young athlete and she can inspire millions of young people to realize their dreams and aspirations. By appointing her as our first ever Youth Ambassador, we aim to leverage her potential in galvanizing children and adolescents to bring about positive change in the country.”