Nicolas Cage receives UN’s Global Citizen of the Year award
By ANISunday, December 6, 2009
LONDON - Nicolas Cage has received Global Citizen of the Year award from the United Nations for his humanitarian efforts.
The ‘Con Air’ actor has also been appointed as a UN goodwill ambassador on drugs and crime.
“My real life role as goodwill ambassador will certainly be even more challenging and meaningful than those I have portrayed on screen,” the BBC News quoted him as saying.
He added his role would be “to shine a spotlight on the need for global justice”.
Antonio Maria Costa, executive director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, said: “Nicolas Cage’s characters have exposed us to some of the darkest aspects of human nature.
“Now he is championing one of the most noble - the quest for justice. His star status and strong conviction on these issues will help us achieve security and justice for all.”
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon handed the award to Cage.
In the past, Cage, an Amnesty International advocate, has contributed 2 million dollars to establish a fund supporting former child soldiers.
He had also led a campaign around his film, ‘Lord of War’, for international arms control. (ANI)
