Stroumboulopoulos appointed WFP ambassador

George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight

CBC talk show host George Stroumboulopoulos has been appointed Canada's ambassador to the UN's World Food Program. George Stroumboulopoulos has been selected by the United Nations World Food Program as an official ambassador, the first Canadian to hold the position. The appointment, confirmed Tuesday on George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight, follows a visit by the host to Pakistan in February, where the food program is helping to feed people and rebuild communities after catastrophic flooding in 2010.

The UN's food program reaches more than 90 million people a year with food assistance in more than 70 countries. Canada is the second-largest single donor country to the program, with $286 million in donations in 2010. "I'm excited to be a part of it," Stroumboulopoulos said. "There's all kinds of work being done on the ground by all kinds of people, and so all somebody in my position has to do is shine a light on the work that's already being done, and hopefully use the position we have with the radio and television show to garner some interest and some mobilization.

"Being a solo artist is fine, but being a team player in a band is better and that's what this feels like."
Stephen Lewis, former UN special envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa, who made a guest appearance on the show Tuesday, called the food program one of the UN's best agencies. "It just does the job."

"The program has made all the difference between life and death for millions of people."
The role of an ambassador is crucial in drawing attention to the program's work, Lewis said.
"George is going to make an impact. This is a significant thing for the World Food Program to have done in Canada. People will be moved and they will get involved," he said.

Stroumboulopoulos visited WFP operations in Pakistan last month. A half-hour television special following his experience will air on CBC Television at 11:05 p.m. (11:35 p.m in Newfoundland and Labrador) on April 1.

"For most of us we only see the effects of disasters through the prism of media," Stroumboulopoulos said. "The effects of the floods, earthquakes and conflicts and it can all be overwhelming. But getting to be on the ground you see first-hand, the people working together to provide nutritious food to those in need and the empowering of those affected to rebuild."

Other celebrities who have acted as WFP ambassadors include Christina Aguilera, Sean Connery, Drew Barrymore and Penelope Cruz.