Priyanka Chopra is new UNICEF ambassador

Priyanka Chopra with David Beckham. Pic/PTI

Priyanka Chopra with David Beckham. Pic/PTI

It was only last year that Priyanka Chopra was catapulted into the international league following rave reviews to her debut American television series, 'Quantico'. Since then, she has captured the attention of the global audience in a way no Indian actress has so far. The 34-year-old has now been appointed UNICEF's latest global goodwill ambassador; the announcement was made by footballer David Beckham and 12-year-old British actress Millie Bobby Brown.

In a chat with hitlist, the actress says her involvement with UNICEF began almost 10 years ago and she was committed to take on a new role. "Along this decade-old journey, I have been on many field trips to villages and centres across India. On those trips, I spent time with numerous young girls and their families, and experienced first-hand the transformative power of empowering girls with opportunities that are rightfully theirs.

"Together, with my fellow dedicated ambassadors, I feel proud to stand with UNICEF to help build a world where children's rights are respected and protected," she adds.

Priyanka was joined by other UNICEF goodwill ambassadors, including Hollywood actors Orlando Bloom and Jackie Chan, at the event that celebrated its 70 years of work for children.

Addressing the top UN diplomats and children at the event, she said, "My wish for children is freedom. The freedom to think, the freedom to live. We ask you to join us today to become the collective voice of the oppressed children across the world in our fight against the injustice that they have to endure everyday." She thanked Beckham and Brown on social media for welcoming her into the UNICEF's international family.

"Always delighted to meet like-minded people who believe that there is humanity left inside in us after all," she tweeted. The actress is slated to be back in India next week for a few days to finalise her next Bollywood project.