Naomi Kawase, a film director, has been appointed as a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization for the first time as a Japanese female.
Naomi Kawase is known as a world-renowned film director who won the Grand Prix after the highest award at the Cannes Film Festival in France, one of the three major film festivals in the world.
UNESCO appointed Mr. Kawase as a goodwill ambassador on the 25th for contributing to gender equality in the cultural industry through the production of women-focused films and videos.
At the appointment ceremony held at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, Executive Secretary Azure said, "I am delighted to work together as a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for gender equality in culture."
Mr. Kawase said, "We have the right to sing for life, but we can also see the reality that small voices including females are drowned out. Do you notice the sparkle of life by shining light on various voices and values? Must be. "
As a goodwill ambassador, Mr. Kawase plans to invite young female filmmakers from Africa to Japan for cultural exchange through filmmaking.
About 60 UNESCO Goodwill Ambassadors, including artists and celebrities from around the world, have been appointed, and Mr. Kawase is the fifth Japanese and the first Japanese female.