"I want to raise issues about education and
violence and ending bullying and ... making sure children have a
safe environment and clean water," Brown told Reuters at the
United Nations. "But I'm still learning what I feel passionate
about."
Emmy-nominated Brown, who plays a girl with special powers who
tries to help rescue a missing boy in "Stranger Things", has
spoken out in the past against bullying and last year deleted
her Twitter account after a slew of hate-filled comments.
Her appointment as a UNICEF goodwill ambassador marked World
Children's Day and comes after Brown co-hosted UNICEF's 70th
anniversary celebrations in New York in 2016, interviewing David
Beckham on stage.
When asked if she had a message for world leaders, Brown told
Reuters: "Listen to us. Youth is very powerful."
She pledged to speak out for millions of children and young
people whose voices had been silenced, shine a light on issues
that vulnerable children suffer around the world and make sure
children know their rights and empower them.
Brown said she would use her platform, which includes more than
18 million followers on Instagram. She was also the youngest
person to make Time magazine's list of the world's 100 most
influential figures.
"In becoming a UNICEF goodwill ambassador, I share the title
with a hero of mine - the late, great Audrey Hepburn, who once
said: 'As you grow older you will discover that you have two
hands, one for helping others and one for helping yourself',"
Brown told a news conference announcing her appointment.
"That's exactly what I intend to do," she said.
(Reporting by Michelle Nichols; Editing by David Gregorio)
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