Emma Watson Appointed Newest United Nations Women Goodwill Ambassador

Emma Watson confirmed via Twitter that she has been appointed a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations, promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women.

The organization also confirmed the news on both its Twitter account and the U.N. Women website, subsequently causing the site to crash.

U.N. Women is comprised of representatives from around the world, with the purpose of helping to improve opportunities for women, as well as working toward gender equality and fighting discrimination.

“Women’s rights are something so inextricably linked with who I am, so deeply personal and rooted in my life that I can’t imagine an opportunity more exciting,” the Harry Potter actress and recent Brown University graduate said in a statement. “I still have so much to learn, but as I progress I hope to bring more of my individual knowledge, experience and awareness to this role.”

Watson is the first ambassador appointed under the leadership of Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, the United Nations’ Under-Secretary-General and the Executive Director of U.N. Women, who

praised Watson’s “intellect and passion,” as well as her past experience of promoting girls’ education in countries such as Bangladesh and Zambia.

Mlambo-Ngcuka also had this to add about the 24-year old:

“We are thrilled and honoured to work with Emma, whom we believe embodies the values of U.N. Women”

Other celebrity U.N. ambassadors include Nicole Kidman, Angelina Jolie, David Beckham and Orlando Bloom.