Cage honoured by UN for humanitarian work

Film star Nicolas Cage won a UN award last 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 and filmmaker with the UN Correspondents Association’s Global Citizen of the Year award for humanitarian endeavours.

Cage said his role will be “to shine a spotlight on the need for global justice”.

The Amnesty International advocate donated two million to establish a fund to help former child soldiers and led a campaign around his film, Lord of War, to raise awareness about international arms control.

The secretary-general also presented a Global Citizen of the Year award to William Roedy, chairman of MTV Networks International, for his work to combat HIV and Aids.