UN chief gives 007 a special mission - to eliminate mines

[webfact]

UN chief gives 007 a special mission - to eliminate mines

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Daniel Craig, who won international acclaim playing James Bond, received a special mission on Tuesday when Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon appointed the actor as the first U.N. Global Advocate for the Elimination of Mines and Explosive Hazards.

In a brief ceremony at U.N. headquarters, Ban thanked Craig for his commitment to support the U.N.'s vision for a world free from the threat of land mines and explosive remnants of war.

"Along with moviegoers worldwide, I have been on the edge of my seat watching Mr. Craig, as James Bond, defuse ticking time-bombs with seconds to spare," the secretary-general said. "I am even more excited that Mr. Craig has agreed to use his star power to draw attention to the noble causes of mine destruction and mine awareness."

He said Craig's designation as a global advocate for three years was one of a number of events organized to observe the 10th anniversary of the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action.

Craig toured an exhibit at the U.N. on the impact of mines, and Ban said he hoped his efforts would raise awareness of efforts to rid the world of mines and raise political and financial support.


-- (c) Associated Press 2015-04-15

[Baerboxer]

Actors, music performers and sports players - recruited as some form of ambassadors for the UN.

How well qualified they are, having usually made a large amount of money from entertaining us to tell us all what to do.

When will they get the clowns in - are, they're already there.

[Expat1]

During the war Westmoreland said, "We can see light at the end of the tunnel". We who actually had been in them used to say "what the F' does that <deleted> know about tunnels". Same applies here.

[GentlemanJim]

I don't think that Craig is required to know anything about the subject. The reason the UN pick celebrities like this is to raise awareness with the masses, as by doing so the masses can effect change within Government. Large numbers of people have no interest in listening to Dr Roger Smosh PhD World expert in land mines and Champion Trout Tickler, but they DO want to listen to and go and meet and get a selfie with Daniel Craig when he goes on tour saying 'mines are bad' etc etc.

[bendejo]

Athletes and entertainers draw a lot of attention. I might read through Google News' main page, and for most articles I never get past the headlines because they involve sports, celebrity gossip, what a certain talk show host said yesterday, etc. On the other hand that's what a lot of people are drawn into. If this is what it takes to make people aware of issues in the world then why not? These spokespeople usually don't claim expertise in these things, so there is no reason for any experts to feel threatened. Unless those experts are themselves faking it.

Maybe the producers will pick up on this and find a way to work a minefield scene in the next Bond movie.

[jamesjohnsonthird]

Actors, music performers and sports players - recruited as some form of ambassadors for the UN.

How well qualified they are, having usually made a large amount of money from entertaining us to tell us all what to do.

When will they get the clowns in - are, they're already there.

Clowns? Use your head. You think some land mine specialist is the right person to draw attention to the cause?

These people are chosen because the cameras follow them everywhere. Publicity for the cause.

I have a buddy in the mine removal business. He's an expert but for some reason the television cameras for follow him.