Franca Sozzani has added another title to her resume.
On Wednesday, the United Nations World Food Programme nominated the Vogue Italia editor-in-chief as an Ambassador Against Hunger.
“I met the WFP several times, I heard what they do every year for about 90 million people and I found myself really involved,” said Sozzani, who is also Goodwill Ambassador of the United Nation’s Fashion 4 Development program. “I don’t see this recognition as an award, but it’s a new job which will push me to find concrete answers to a series of problems affecting a lot of people in the world.”
“We are grateful to Franca Sozzani to have chosen the WFP and the fight against hunger as her primary effort in the humanitarian scenario,” said Ertharin Cousin, WFP executive director. “In her role as journalist and editor-in-chief of important fashion magazines, Sozzani has always paid huge attention to the potential of girls and women in Africa and their empowerment through school and professional education.”
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In her new role, Sozzani said she will focus on improving the education of children in difficult areas around the world. “Our goal is to bring children to school and create a new generation, also through culture,” said Sozzani, who will take a trip to Rwanda in July.
Sozzani, who will be involved in both fundraising projects and activities aimed at increasing public awareness, revealed she will organize an important event with the WFP in Dubai next October.
The editor-in-chief also said that all magazines part of Condé Nast Italy will be involved in projects promoting WFP’s campaigns. “For example, our food magazine Cucina Italiana could help increase awareness on food.”
During her career, Sozzani launched several projects with a humanitarian and ethical perspective, including issues of Vogue Italia focused on fighting racism and violence against women, among others. Sozzani also organizes biannual AIDS fund-raiser Convivio in Milan, which this year will take place on June 12.