Singer is new UNDP national Goodwill Ambassador for Lao PDR

Singer Alexandra Bounxouei appointed UNDP’s national Goodwill Ambassador for Lao PDR

Vientiane, 10th April 2013 – United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has appointed Ms. Alexandra Bounxouei as its first National Goodwill Ambassador for Lao PDR. The announcement was made yesterday at a press conference held in the UN House.

Alexandra Bounxouei is a 25-year old Lao national who is well known in Lao PDR and Thailand for her successful singing career as well as her acting roles in Thai television.

Speaking at the press conference, UNDP resident Representative Minh Pham said: “National Goodwill Ambassadors can play a meaningful role in articulating and advocating development messages. As a public figure, they can use their status to reach diverse audiences and help influence decision makers, political leaders and donors to remain committed to the goals of UNDP.”

Mr. Pham told the media that in her role as UNDP’s Goodwill Ambassador, Ms. Bounxouei will focus her advocacy work on UXO issues. “With less than 1000 days remaining until the MDGs deadline, it is more important than ever to accelerate our efforts in working towards achieving the targets”, he said, referring to Laos’ Millennium Development Goal 9 - to reduce the impact of UXO by 2015. “I trust Ms. Bounxouei will be a compelling and eloquent advocate in focusing attention on the development issues UNDP in Lao PDR works on”, Mr. Pham said.

Ms. Bounxouei has previously been involved in various educational projects, including a campaign to reduce the number of young casualties from traffic accidents, as well as establishing her own foundation to support families with children who have Down syndrome. As UNDP Goodwill Ambassador, she will be expected to support UNDP’s efforts to engage with youth. With 50% of the Lao population under 24-years of age, reaching out to the young people in the country is considered of critical importance.

“It is an honor to be appointed as a Goodwill Ambassador for UNDP. It is a role that comes with great responsibility, and I hope that this will enable me to make a contribution to the development of my country”, said Ms. Bounxouei.

UN Goodwill Ambassadors are prominent individuals from the worlds of arts, sciences, literature, entertainment, sport or other fields of public life, who have expressed a desire to contribute to the United Nations’ efforts to raise awareness of its aims, to convey messages about its activities and to extend its public outreach. UNDP’s Goodwill Ambassadors give their time freely to help influence decision makers, political leaders and donors to remain committed to the goals of UNDP.

Alexandra Bounxouei was born in 1987 to a musical family by a Bulgarian mother and a Lao Father. She began her singing career at an early age and released her debut album “Dream” when she was just 16. In addition to her music, she is also well known for acting in popular drama series in Thailand. Alexandra has been actively engaged in educational projects for development organization as well as for her own foundation for children with the Down syndrome. She is currently pursuing a PHD in Media Design at Keio University, Japan, as well as writing songs for the next album.

UNDP partners with people at all levels of society to help build nations that can withstand crisis, and drive and sustain the kind of growth that improves the quality of life for everyone. On the ground in 177 countries and territories, we offer global perspective and local insight to help empower lives and build resilient nations.

ENDS

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