Nicole Kidman – UN WOMEN Goodwill Ambassador and Say NO Spokesperson  

UN WOMEN Goodwill Ambassador Nicole Kidman is the international spokesperson for UN WOMEN’s Say NO – UNiTE to End Violence against Women campaign.  Since her appointment in January 2006, her efforts as UN WOMEN Goodwill Ambassador have been geared towards raising awareness on the infringement of women’s human rights around the world, with a particular focus on putting a spotlight on violence against women , probably the most pervasive human rights violation that affects as many as one in three women.

The Academy Award–winning actress, a dual citizen of the United States and Australia, has been actively involved in philanthropic endeavours, of international scope, in both countries.

Nicole Kidman has served as the UNICEF Ambassador for Australia. She is also an Ambassador of the Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick. Her commitment, contact with patients and their families, and financial contributions to the hospital have helped make a difference in the lives of thousands of young patients over the past years, with a direct impact upon the hospital’s Brain Tumor Service, Respiratory Service, the Nursing Practice Development Unit for Child and Adolescent Health, and the Chair of Nursing.

Kidman is Patron of the Australian Theatre for Young People, based in Sydney. She began her association with the theatre in 1982 as a workshop participant, and performed in various productions over the next several years. In 1993 she accepted ATYP’s request to serve as the company’s ambassador, and in 2000 became a principal sponsor, together with Fox Studios and the Nine Network, both relationships which she initiated on the company’s behalf. In 2002, mindful of ATYP’s importance in her early creative life, and of the creative outlet and opportunities it offers youth across Australia, she accepted the position of Patron.

While filming on location in Romania in 2002, Kidman witnessed first hand the plight of thousands of children currently orphaned and abandoned in that country, and she witnessed the remarkable work on their behalf of a UK-based organization called FARA. Since 1994, FARA has helped improve the quality of life, and provided alternative care, for hundreds of these children through Homes and Foster Care Programs that it directly funds and operates. Since 2003, Kidman has served as an Honorary Patron of FARA’s crucial, annual fundraising, including participation in the Royal Charity Premiere of “Cold Mountain” in London.