UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador and Special Envoy for Sport
Jacqueline Silva, a Brazilian volleyball player, was appointed UNESCO Champion for Sport in September 2009, in light of her unfailing commitment to humanitarian projects through the promotion of sports.
During her successful career as a professional volleyball player in Brazil, Italy and the United States, she won the gold medal in the inaugural women’s beach volleyball tournament at the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics and two world championships.
She created the Jackie Silva Institute, which aims at promoting sport and social interaction among young people in the state of Rio de Janeiro. In addition to sports training, the institute also offers workshops, counselling and lectures on HIV/AIDS prevention, youth pregnancy and drug abuse.
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