Photo opportunity
WHO Director-General to appoint Liya Kebede as Goodwill Ambassador for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health
On Monday, 7 March in Geneva, Dr LEE Jong-wook, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) will appoint top model Liya Kebede as Goodwill Ambassador for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health.
Each year more than half a million women die during pregnancy and childbirth, and nearly 11 million children die before they reach their fifth birthday. Almost all of these deaths occur in the developing world and could be prevented with relatively simple interventions such as skilled attendants at birth, breastfeeding and vaccinations.
Ethiopian supermodel - and herself a mother - Mrs Kebede's responsibilities will include raising global awareness of these issues and helping WHO in its campaign to improve the health of mothers and children. Her appointment comes a month before World Health Day 2005 - the slogan for which is "Make Every Mother and Child Count".
What: A photo opportunity for the appointment of Liya Kebede as WHO's Goodwill Ambassador for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health. Dr Lee will formally appoint Liya Kebede as Goodwill Ambassador. They will make short statements and a press release will be circulated to photographers and journalists.
Who: Liya Kebede, WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health; Dr LEE Jong-wook, Director-General, WHO; Joy Phumaphi, Assistant Director-General, Family and Community Health, WHO
When: Monday, 7 March 2005, 11:30 - 12.30
Where: Photographers will be met at the main entrance of WHO Headquarters in Geneva and escorted to the India room.
Photographers not accredited with the United Nations should arrive 30 minutes early, with photo ID, for security clearance.
High resolution photographs of the event will be available on the WHO web site by 1400 Geneva time.
Biography of Liya Kebede
Born and raised in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Liya Kebede graduated from the French Lycée in Addis. Liya subsequently moved to Paris to pursue her modelling career.
Liya has appeared on the covers of American, French, Italian, Spanish, Korean and Japanese Vogue, as well Time Style and Design. Other recent features include editorial spreads in American and British Vogue and Harper's Bazaar. She was recently voted model of the year in Asia.
Liya Kebede is currently a "face" of Estée Lauder - the first woman of colour to represent the brand in its 59 year history. This appointment has triggered countless more editorials in high profile publications, including the New York Times. Liya has been involved in modelling campaigns for Yves Saint Laurent, Dolce & Gabbana and Louis Vuitton, among others.
Liya has a global appeal. She has a passionate desire to use her success as a means to benefit the lives of people from her homeland and beyond. Liya speaks English and Amharic, as well as fluent French and some Italian.
She currently lives in New York City with her husband and their four-year old son, Suhul.