NASHVILLE Star Connie Britton Named UNDP's Newest Goodwill Ambassador

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) today appointed American actress Connie Britton as its newest Goodwill Ambassador, with a special focus on poverty eradication and women's empowerment.

"We are thrilled to have Connie Britton join UNDP's efforts to fight poverty worldwide," said UNDP Director for External Relations Michael O'Neill. "Connie is passionately committed to humanitarian causes and she will be a great partner for UNDP, helping us raise awareness of development issues amongst the American and global public."

Britton has been an outstanding supporter of poverty alleviation efforts and women's rights for years, supporting several charitable causes. In her new role as UNDP Goodwill Ambassador, she will use her popularity to raise awareness about UNDP's worldwide efforts to empower people and fight exclusion.

"In my own travels, I've seen many places where people are living in extreme poverty. It's unacceptable that, in 2014, one billion people live in such conditions, and a full sixty percent of the chronically hungry in the world are women," said Britton. "I look forward to working with UNDP to help change this and improve the lives of vulnerable people worldwide."

The four-time Emmy-nominated actress is currently starring in the ABC series "Nashville", which also garnered her first Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress - Television Drama Series. Best-known for her role as Tami Taylor in "Friday Night Lights", she also recently starred as Vivien Harmon on "American Horror Story." She will appear later this year in the comedy feature "This Is Where I Leave You."

She is joining a roster of nine other UNDP Goodwill Ambassadors: five footballers, Ronaldo de Lima, Zinédine Zidane, Didier Drogba, Iker Casillas and the world's number one female football player, Marta Vieira da Silva; tennis player Maria Sharapova; Spanish performer Antonio Banderas; Japanese actress Misako Konno; and HRH Haakon Crown Prince of Norway.

UNDP partners with people at all levels of society to help build nations that can withstand crisis, and drive and sustain the kind of growth that improves the quality of life for everyone. On the ground in 177 countries and territories, we offer global perspective and local insight to help empower lives and build resilient nations.