Judith Pisar to be named UNESCO Special Envoy for Cultural Diplomacy

Judith Pisar, President of the non-profit organization Arts France-USA, will become a UNESCO Special Envoy for Cultural Diplomacy in a ceremony at UNESCO’s Headquarters on 15 June (6pm).

UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova named Ms Pisar to this position “in recognition of her contribution to cultural action as an essential component of dialogue between peoples, her effort to promote culture as indispensable for diplomatic action in favour of peace and development, and for her commitment to the ideals of UNESCO.”

Ms Pisar’s organization facilitates international cultural exchanges, namely between France and the USA, the country of her birth. She has organized a great many festivals and concerts of American music in France and was, for 17 years, the President of the American Center of Paris. Earlier, Ms Pisar directed the Brooklyn Academy of Music and the avant-garde Merce Cunningham Dance Company.

UNESCO Special Envoys serve as the standard-bearers of the Organization. Through their professional activities and personality, they help make UNESCO’s message heard worldwide.

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Journalists wishing to attend the event are requested to contact UNESCO’s Media Section Contact: Djibril Kebe, +33 (0) 1 45 68 17 41; d.kebe@unesco.org