Ivorian singer A’salfo to be named UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador

27th August 2012 -- A’salfo, lead singer of the group Magic System will be named a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador by Director-General Irina Bokova at a special nomination ceremony at the Organization’s Paris Headquarters on 6 September. This ceremony will be organized in conjunction with the 2012 International Literacy Day celebration

The Director-General has requested A’salfo to “contribute to UNESCO’s efforts to fight against exclusion, discrimination and injustice, which represent the dominant thread of his engagement,” in his work as a Goodwill Ambassador. Through songs such as “Children of Africa”, “On a espoir”, “L’eau va manquer”, A’salfo not only advocates for inclusion, social justice, and empowerment of youth in Africa, but also connects with and mobilizes young people themselves. His music helps young people become agents of peace and a driving force for sustainable development.

Born in Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire) in 1979, A’salfo, is a ‘Zouglou’ singer. This popular form of dance music depicts the concerns and events in Ivorian society. He has been a member of the renowned Zouglou band Magic System since the 1990s, and is the group’s lead singer and songwriter. A’salfo initiated the three-day Festival of Anoumabo Urban Music (Festival des musiques urbaines d’Anoumabo - FEMUA), the first international musical festival in Côte d’Ivoire.

UNESCO Goodwill Ambassadors are an outstanding group of personalities who have generously agreed to use their talent and status to help focus the world’s attention on the work of the Organization in education, science, culture and communication.