Nicolas wins UN humanitarian award

UNITED NATIONS - Acclaimed Hollywood actor and filmmaker Nicolas Cage won a UN award Friday night for his humanitarian work and has been appointed a goodwill ambassador for the UN Office on Drugs and Crime.
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon presented the actor, whose action roles have included both a contract killer and a federal anti-terrorist agent, with the UN Correspondents Associations Global Citizen of the Year award for humanitarian endeavors.
Cage said his role will be to shine a spotlight on the need for global justice.
Until today, justice has been a cause without a rebel now we have one, UNODC Executive Director Antonio Maria Costa told the gathering where the award was announced.
My real life role as UNODC Goodwill Ambassador will certainly be even more challenging and meaningful than those I have portrayed on screen, Cage said of his new incarnation in which he will use the performing arts as an engine for global justice and victim support. I intend to shine the spotlight on the need for global justice, publicize all the good work that UNODC is doing, and highlight how we can all make a difference.
Cage, who has produced, directed and acted in films often dealing with issues of global justice, terrorism, drug and arms trafficking and sex crimes, has shown a long-standing commitment to global justice and philanthropy. As an Amnesty International advocate, he raised awareness about the horrors faced by child soldiers, arms trafficking, violence against women and other human rights tragedies.
He has already worked closely with UNODC, this year launching its 'Welcome to Gulu benefit exhibition at UN Headquarters in New York featuring paintings by former child soldiers and abducted girls, and recently returned from a week-long mission with the agency to Uganda and Kenya, focusing on child soldiering and other forms of human trafficking, as well as piracy, prison conditions, HIV/AIDS and drug addiction.
He donated $2 million to establish a fund to help former child soldiers, providing support for rehabilitation shelters and medical, psychological and reintegration services. He led a campaign around Lord of War to raise awareness about international arms control.
Nicolas Cages characters have exposed us to some of the darkest aspects of human nature. Now he is championing one of the most noble - the quest for justice, Costa said. His star status and strong conviction on these issues will help us achieve security and justice for all.