Ishmael Beah, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador

Ishmael Beah was appointed as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in 2007, pledging to give a voice to children whose lives have been affected by conflict.  

In 1991, the outbreak of a brutal civil war in Sierra Leone uprooted the lives of millions, including that of Ishmael Beah and his family. His parents and two brothers were killed, and he was forcibly recruited into the war at age 13. After two years and with UNICEF’s help, Ishmael was removed from the army along with other children. He was placed into a rehabilitation home in Freetown where he received psychosocial support to begin to recover from the trauma. Today, Ishmael aims to change the course for thousands of children still trapped in war.  

In 2018, Ishmael came to Australia to announce UNICEF Australia’s Young Ambassadors, encouraging a new generation of young people to speak up for their rights. 

In 2024, he visited Sudan with UNICEF where he met with children and families impacted by the ongoing conflict. His time in Sudan brought him face-to-face with children in displacement camps, many of whom have endured unimaginable trauma. In one UNICEF-supported child-friendly space, he was able to share his own journey. Ishmael has also visited other areas affected by conflict, including the Central African Republic and Jordan.