Beirut, 21 December 2023 - The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has appointed renowned Lebanese artist Lena Kelekian as UNDP Live Lebanon Goodwill Ambassador to advance and accelerate development work through art.

Ms. Kelekian's track record in using art to promote economic development, social cohesion and climate action aligns with UNDP's goals of enhanced local economic development, peace and community building as well as green development.

Lebanon's history is marked by conflicts rooted in sectarian, political, and regional factors, posing hurdles to stability and development. Ongoing crises, spanning from economic downturns to the destruction caused by the Beirut Blast, coupled with the repercussions of the protracted Syrian crisis, have amplified pre-existing tensions, and impacted economic and green development.

Ms. Kelekian's role will be pivotal in leveraging her influence and experience to raise awareness and address these pressing issues, particularly focusing on peace-building and environmental sustainability. Her involvement is expected to foster understanding and cooperation among the different Lebanese communities.

“Despite the challenges Lebanon has been facing over the last years, the country remains a hub for arts and culture in the region. In this context, Lebanon's rich cultural history is an important contributor to inclusive and sustainable development. This appointment reinforces UNDP's commitment to ensure Lebanon meets its potential. In her role as UNDP Live Lebanon Goodwill Ambassador, Lena Kelekian will cultivate partnerships that view creativity as a tool for positive transformation, promoting UNDP's mission to utilize art's transformative power for more cohesive societies in Lebanon," said Melanie Hauenstein, UNDP Resident Representative in Lebanon.

“I am honoured at this appointment, and I hope to make a positive contribution by connecting artists, cultural institutions, and policymakers to improve the livelihoods of Lebanese citizens and to drive sustainable economic growth through the arts. Cultural exchange and artistic collaboration can make critical contributions to development,” said Lena Kelekian, newly appointed UNDP Live Lebanon Goodwill Ambassador.

Ms. Kelekian's inaugural initiative as UNDP Live Lebanon Goodwill Ambassador involves curating a fundraising art exhibition that will showcase the work of 120 artists hailing from 120 countries. This event is scheduled to take place in the first quarter of 2024. She hopes to organize more fundraising art exhibitions in other countries, in efforts to contribute to improving the livelihoods of the people of Lebanon. Additionally, she will be actively involved in peace-building initiatives and art therapy programmes, fostering community cohesion through creative expression.

UN agencies regularily enlist the voluntary services and support of prominent figures as Goodwill Ambassadors and advocates to shine a spotlight on important issues affecting our planet and its people. These well-known individuals are at the top of their field—whether it's film, television, music, art or sports—with talents and achievements that have made them household names. 

Since its launch in 2009, the UNDP Live Lebanon initiative has appointed a selected number of Lebanese individuals as Goodwill Ambassadors, mainly from the diaspora. The Goodwill Ambassadors are chosen based on their track record of philanthropic work and commitment to Lebanon's development. They have supported Live Lebanon in mobilizing resources to implement more than 70 projects in different regions in Lebanon.

For more information, please contact
In UNDP – Lebanon, Rana Moughabghab | rana.moughabghab@undp.org   +961 3 835 351
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About UNDP 

UNDP is working in Lebanon since 1986 as a development partner supporting economic recovery, including working with municipalities to deliver basic services to host communities, promoting clean energy and solid waste management, strengthening governance and rule of law, providing support to elections, and working on empowering women and youth.

About Lena Kelekian

Born in Beirut, an internationally renowned multidisciplinary Visual artist, Winner of the Beijing 2008 and London 2012 Olympic Fine Arts Gold Medals for Lebanon, the Torino 2006 Olympic Torch  and the recipient of the International Olympic Committee 2014 Olympic Trophy of ‘Art & Sport’ for Lebanon.
She has received internationally 19 gold medals and 28 Awards & distinctions in Fine Arts from 22 countries. Since 1992 her artworks have been exhibited in 62 countries and displayed permanently in 35 museums around the world.                                                                                                                                    
As an Environmental designer she has contributed to embellishing cities in public places like the Ain Mreisse Corniche benches, The Sassine and Salim Salam tunnel walls, Beirut river wall, municipal squares and monuments in colourful cut ceramics. 
As an Art Therapist she has helped the Lebanese traumatized children, teens and adults to recover through art therapy workshops & TOTs  for since 2006. 
Curator of International Art Exhibitions & Biennales and initiator of mental wellness in the Lebanese hospitals through artworks.   
President and Founder of MEADOWS NGO and the representative of 5 international NGOs in Lebanon.     
Former university lecturer in Byzantine Art at AUB.                                                                                                   
Graduate of the American University of Beirut, in Geology, holds a DST in Theology, Advanced studies in iconography & restoration from European universities and in museum curatorial studies from Beijing. 
Her aim is to help Lebanon in developmental project through the arts.