Cate Blanchett is an Oscar-winning actor, producer and Global Goodwill Ambassador for UNHCR the UN Refugee Agency. A decade into her ambassadorship, Cate remains one of the most passionate, visible, and committed advocates for the world’s forcibly displaced people, ensuring the urgency of the refugee crisis continues to reach decision-makers, donors, and the global public. She has travelled extensively to meet with refugees living in challenging and often remote circumstances in South Sudan, Niger, Bangladesh, Brazil, Lebanon, Egypt and Jordan and represented the displaced at global events such as UNGA, the Security Council, the European Union and Davos. She co-created and leads the Displacement Film Fund where refugee filmmakers and those with a history of telling authentic stories rooted in the experience of displacement are supported.

Barbara Hendricks is UNHCR’s only Honorary Lifetime and longest-serving Goodwill Ambassador. She has championed the rights of refugees since 1987, meeting refugees and displaced communities all over the world. Barbara is a Swiss and Swedish citizen and received university degrees in math/chemistry in 1969 and in music from The Julliard School, 1973. She made her international recital and opera debuts in 1974 and is still one of the most beloved and admired musicians of our time.
Active (2015-2025) in I Belong Campaign to eradicate statelessness, she spoke at the ECOWAS conference that resulted in the Abidjan Declaration. Her impassioned speech to the EU parliament on the 60th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome received a standing ovation. She was the founding president 2009-2014 and is active as President Emeritus of Sweden for UNHCR, one of UNHCRs most successful National Fundraising Partners.
Distinctions: Commandeur de la Legion d’Honneur, Commandeur des Arts et des Lettres, Prince of Asturias Award; HM Konungens medalj; Member of the Swedish Academy of Music.