Known for her combativeness, generosity and commitment to equality, Rossy de Palma will contribute to disseminating and promoting UNESCO’s values and actions in favour of cultural diversity.
In line with the roadmap the Director-General entrusted to Ms de Palma last month, the newly named Goodwill Ambassador will focus on defending the status of the artist, enhancing indigenous peoples’ cultures and promoting gender equality in the cultural sector.
A complete and committed artist
Actor, model, singer and visual artist, Rossy de Palma made a name for herself through her roles in the films of Pedro Almodóvar and went on to work with other directors among them Robert Altman, Mike Figgis, Terry Gilliam and Patrice Leconte. Last May, she chaired the Caméra d’or jury at the Cannes Film Festival.
From the very beginning, Ms de Palma has been known for her outspokenness, her rejection of fatalism and for taking a stand. She denounces the tyranny of the gaze of others, to which she had been subjected since childhood, and which often stigmatizes difference.
She rejects all forms of discrimination and ill-treatment based on physical particularities and has notably participated in UNESCO’s 2020 United against racism campaign. Ms de Palma also promotes gender equality, advocating better representation of women at all levels of society.
