Leonardo DiCaprio has been chosen by the United Nations to receive the honorable title of Messenger of Peace, according to Hollywood Reporter .
Why was the actor chosen for this prestigious opportunity?
With the upcoming UN Climate Summit scheduled for September 23, Leonardo DiCaprio was selected to specifically address the topic of climate change in his speech.
This opportunity is definitely not something that Leonardo DiCaprio is taking lightly – something that was clearly proven in this official statement featured on the official website of the United Nations from the actor himself.
“It’s an honor to accept the role of UN Messenger of Peace on Climate Change and to support the Secretary General in his efforts to address one of the most important issues we face as a global community.”
With everything that is going in the world, Leonardo DiCaprio feels that taking on this important role at the UN Climate Summit is not just a privilege – but an obligation.
“I feel a moral obligation to speak out at this key moment in human history – it is a moment for action. How we respond to the climate crisis in the coming years will likely determine the fate of humanity and our planet.”
In recent years, Leonardo DiCaprio has taken several rather impressive strides towards maximizing exposure to this issue. For instance, he pledged a $7 million donation to marine conservation just months after already pledging $3 million to the same cause.
Leonardo DiCaprio will be honored by the Clinton Foundation for his proven commitment to environmentalism over the years on September 21 (two days before the summit) during a gala event in Manhattan featuring the Clinton family, former President Bill, former Secretary of State Hillary and daughter Chelsea.
By receiving this honor from the United Nations, Leonardo DiCaprio joins a relatively short list of other celebrities that have been bestowed with the UN Messenger of Peace title over the years – including Charlize Theron , George Clooney, Stevie Wonder, Edward Norton and Michael Douglas.
However, you do not necessarily need to be an A-list celebrity, like Leonardo DiCaprio or George Clooney, in order to receive this honor. According to a statement issued by the United Nations that outlines the selection process, UN Messengers of Peace, also referred to as Goodwill Ambassadors, have to be publicly known as “Distinguished individuals, carefully selected from the fields of art, literature, science, entertainment, sports or other fields of public life, who…help focus worldwide attention on the work of the United Nations.”
Not very many people can argue with the fact that Leonardo DiCaprio meets (and even exceeds ) these expectations.
What do you think about Leonardo DiCaprio receiving this honor? Do you think that there is someone else who deserved more?
