UNDP Ambassador Ronaldo in Prostitution Scandal, As UN Watches the News
By Matthew Russell Lee 
May 6, 2008
The Inner City Press 
Original Source: http://www.innercitypress.com/undp1ronaldo050608.html
UNITED NATIONS, May 6 -- They talk about One UN, but when scandal hits, it's every agency for itself. This was made clear this week when UNICEF loudly disavowed any connection with Brazilian soccer player Ronaldo, embroiled in a transvestite prostitute scandal. Ronaldo was quoted that the http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,23653192-5006003,00.html scandalwill not interfere with my position as UNICEF ambassador, nothing will be an obstacle to that. UNICEF immediately issued a statement denying that Ronaldo is its ambassador or that he has any other tie to the agency. But Ronaldo is a UNDP Ambassador -- few so far have followed up on this.  As of May 6 at 10:30 a.m. UN Headquarters time,  in Google News Rolando UNICEF resulted in 57 hits, while Ronaldson UNDP garnered only 14. This may change.
Inner City Press asked UNDP's new spokesman Stephane Dujarric to confirm and generally comment. On Tuesday morning he replied, Yes, Ronaldo is a UN Goodwill Ambassador. We are following this matter very closely as it is being investigated by the Brazilian authorities. UNDP expects all of its Goodwill Ambassadors abide by the highest standard of conduct and not to embarrass the organization.
            Of course it is embarrassing when an endorser or public face of an organization surfaces on the tabloids' front pages. But when the organization at issue is part of The Organization, the UN, the questions that should be raised and answered include what due diligence was done before aligning with the individual. In this case of UNDP, specific questions will include who did the due diligence, what risks were identified, what are viewed as outweighing the risks, and who made the decisions -- Kemal Dervis? Ad Melkert? Both have appeared with UNDP's Ambassadors, often beaming. What type of review is being conducted of UNDP's other, or remaining, Ambassadors? Following closely and expecting highest standards may not be enough in this case.
            Wider questions are raised by the UN's creeping embrace of celebrities of all stripe. Upcoming this week is an appearance by Uptown Girl Christie Brinkley, in connection with something called UN-Learning Intolerance. (Yes, the double meaning has been noticed.) Reportedly, attempts were made to get a Brinkley artist friend into the associated group show at the last moment. There was, as Inner City Press reported, an award given to cell phone throwing model Naomi Campbell May 2 at the UN, which was reported at least in photo captions as an award BY the UN. For reporting on this, a lawyer's letter (or call) has been received. An organizer of the ostensibly environmental event involving Naomi Campbell told Inner City Press on Monday night that they just want to raise the profile of their issue. But at what cost?