PRESS CONFERENCE BY UNDP GOODWILL AMBASSADOR

Press Briefing

PRESS CONFERENCE BY UNDP GOODWILL AMBASSADOR

The purpose of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) was to give a voice to the voiceless who were becoming more and more marginalized by a global economy, the first Goodwill Ambassador of the UNDP, Danny Glover, told correspondents at a Headquarters press conference today.

Mr. Glover, an internationally acclaimed actor and human rights activist, said that the UNDP's role was not simply to massage the egos of the various governments, but also to check on what independent sources said those governments were doing. His job was to tell the stories of the voiceless in order to generate some activity in the developing world. For that, he would use his visibility to discuss their issues and, in so doing, strengthen the resolve of the Programme.

He described his first mission as Goodwill Ambassador to Namibia and South Africa, where he visited anti-poverty projects and met with heads of State. During the nine-day trip, he was overwhelmed and honoured by the enthusiastic welcome he received from government leaders in country capitals, as well as from "ordinary" people in remote villages. He witnessed first hand the impact that the United Nations programmes were having on the ground, as well as the national context in which they operated. There were abundant stories of hope in both countries.

Individuals were working collectively, from the grass-roots level to the policy level, to eradicate poverty in the communities and across the country, he said. Their commitment and hard work had made him even more determined to tell the world that it was easy to help. People simply needed to give additional human and financial resources. In Khotsong, South Africa, for example, $1,500 would allow a homeless woman to build her own home. In Ekamba, Namibia, two additional sewing machines would enable members of a woman's collective to sew and sell enough clothes to support their families.

During his trip, he said he had also met with key government officials who were developing policies to eradicate poverty. Good governance was essential for those programmes to flourish. The programmes often encompassed aspects of the environment, gender equality and job creation. In both countries, it was truly extraordinary that so much was being done effectively in such a short time. For, Namibia had been independent for only eight years, and the first democratic and non-racial elections in South Africa were only four years ago. The emergence of relatively stable democracies following the liberation struggles of those two countries was extraordinary.

Asked about his plans for another trip, and for some details about some of the "shocking" things he had seen on his first mission, Mr. Glover said that he was planning a trip to South-East Asia for sometime in the fall. Much of what he had seen had had a strong personal impact on him. The shocking

UNDP Briefing - 2 - 23 July 1998

sights and information, however, had been softened by the many stories of determination and resourcefulness. People everywhere seemed determined to create better lives for themselves and their families.

Continuing, he said there seemed to be some synergy developing in remote communities between policy, on the one hand, and events, on the ground. Not everything was settled, of course, and more was needed. The juxtaposition of Omuthia village, Namibia, for example, with the situation in Swakopmund and Walvis Bay, was startling. Also disturbing was the breakdown of Namibia's per capita income, with the average for the whites recorded at $14,000 and for blacks at $100.

To a question about whether he had ever been to South Africa before, he said he had gone there twice during the elections in 1994, first, to promote participation in the electoral process, and then to celebrate its outcome.

Asked about some of the more impressive UNDP projects, he recalled his visit to a technical college in Ongwediva, in the Oshakati region of Namibia. It was particularly impressive when one considered the 300 years of apartheid during which people were not allowed to study math or science. There were United Nations volunteers from all over the globe at the technical college. The inter-connection between United Nations agencies and non-governmental organizations was evident. Also striking was the remarkable role played by individuals. One man, for example, had helped villagers build a kiosk to sell food, an open market, a bakery, and a place where young men learned how to well.

Asked about the term of his mandate, he said that as a Goodwill Ambassador he had been hired for one year at a time, at $1 a year. The mission of the Goodwill Ambassador was to have some impact on the worst cases of poverty over the next 10 years. He hoped his mandate would last that long. During that time, he would share his experiences with other celebrities who were considering their own involvement in the programme.

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