Celebrity diplomacy: United Nations’ Goodwill Ambassadors and Messengers of Peace

Abstract

This article will examine the meaning of celebrity diplomacy. In particular, it will discuss how this phenomenon has emerged from a transition between state-centric to public forms of diplomatic initiatives. This has led to a debate about the credible use of celebrity forms of activism in international political affairs. To analyse this phenomenon, this article will focus on the role and impact of the United Nations' (UN) Goodwill Ambassadors and Messengers of Peace programmes. It refers to Andrew F. Cooper's concept of ‘celebrity diplomacy’ as an alternative form of agency and employs John Street's framework of ‘celebrity performance’ to define how the UN has utilised stars to draw attention to its activities. These examples demonstrate how celebrity diplomats provide focus for causes to become integral in the sphere of international diplomacy.