On Tuesday, Audrey Azoulay, the Director-General of UNESCO, formally appointed Pharrell Williams as the UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Arts Education and Entrepreneurship during a prestigious ceremony held at the Organization’s Headquarters in Paris.
“A complete artist, Pharrell Williams is also a humanist who works to put culture at the service of peace and bringing people together. He believes in the power of creativity and education to build a better future. His commitments resonate with UNESCO’s mandate. I am delighted that he is joining UNESCO’s family of Goodwill Ambassadors today to support our action,” declared Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO.
“Words cannot describe how I feel about being chosen by UNESCO as a Goodwill Ambassador. Thank you to Director-General Audrey Azoulay for this opportunity. I’m honored to continue our work in evening the odds for children and adults through education with YELLOW and Black Ambition”, said Pharrell Williams.
To commemorate his appointment, Pharrell Williams addressed an audience of 800 secondary school students, as well as individuals studying fashion, music, and film, at UNESCO Headquarters during a screening of his biographical film, Piece by Piece. This animated LEGO® film, directed by Morgan Neville, chronicles the trajectory of the artist’s professional journey.
As a musician and filmmaker nominated for an Academy Award, philanthropist, and Men’s Creative Director of Louis Vuitton, the 13-time GRAMMY Award winner exemplifies a multifaceted creator. With billions of streams since his debut in 2006, his iconic tracks such as ‘Happy’ and ‘Get Lucky,’ along with his collaborations with some of the world’s preeminent artists, resonate universally across all continents.
In June 2024, Pharrell Williams selected UNESCO’s Paris Headquarters as the venue for his fourth fashion show as Men’s Creative Director of Louis Vuitton, titled ‘The World is Yours.’ The American artist emphasized themes of universalism and diversity, amidst the backdrop of the 194 flags representing UNESCO’s Member States.
In 2008, recognizing the pivotal role that schools and music play in the empowerment of younger generations, Pharrell Williams initiated a series of charitable endeavors, including From One Hand to AnOTHER and Yellow and Black Ambition, aimed at uplifting marginalized communities through funding for entrepreneurial initiatives and the establishment of educational and cultural centers.
In alignment with the strategic goals entrusted to him by Audrey Azoulay, Pharrell Williams will amplify UNESCO’s message at significant international cultural events, while also endorsing the educational and cultural programs that the Organization implements globally.
As a Goodwill Ambassador, he will persist as a mentor and role model for emerging creators, especially in Africa, where UNESCO is dedicated to nurturing the growth of cultural industries.
