How to Become a Goodwill Ambassador

What is required to become a Goodwill Ambassador?

They say some people are born goodwill ambassadors of certain places after living there for 50 years, while others become goodwill ambassadors when they do something truly philanthropic or help resolve a civil, environmental, human rights, or social issue in order to bring stability to a large population. In diplomatic law the head-of-state of any civil jurisdiction can designate the title of "Goodwill Ambassador" using letters patent, through a resolution or a proclamation.

In 2021 the requirements changed for the recognition of a "Goodwill Ambassador" based on a universal consensus among Goodwill Ambassadors from a multitude of well-respected international and government organizations. Introduced in 2022, GAC Regulation A, was implemented and qualified as meeting all international standards for the creation of the Title: Goodwill Ambassador by a nation, state, government, municipality, Indigenous tribe or an organization. Regulation A legally describes a "goodwill ambassador" as an "ambassador of good-will" for any nation, state, province, county, city, town, village, municipality, indigenous community; or intergovernmental organization (such as the United Nations Specialized Agencies); or international non-governmental organizations (such as the Red Cross, United Nations Associations, Amnesty International, Greenpeace, etc.) There are also some other exceptions under the regulation; actually the regulation is not for goodwill ambassadors but for how they are commissioned to be recognized.

Presenting the colors of the International Indigenous Unity Flag at the African Congress.

Individuals designated by Globcal International shall no longer be granted or affirmed as Goodwill Ambassadors or presented with the Title: Goodwill Ambassador unless they are previously qualified under Regulation A. Individual volunteers designated by the the organization, now will have the title of Global Citizen. Official Goodwill Ambassador trainees and assistants are referred to as Goodwill Consuls, which is provided for elsewhere. Those who are selected or appointed as "official goodwill ambassadors" qualify for special international privileges, benefits, provisions, and entitlements. Those selected must be qualified, be in good standing with their nation of citizenship, and agree in contract under international law to a three year minimum initial term to provide goodwill.

Requirements

Individuals that serve as Goodwill Ambassadors shall: (a) Possess recognized talent in the arts, business, sciences, literature, entertainment, sport, academia, or other fields: (b) Be persons of integrity who demonstrate a strong desire to help mobilize public interest in, and support for, the purposes and principles of Globcal International, and who demonstrate the commitment and proven potential to reach out to significant audiences, including decision makers; (c) Possess the personality and dignity required for such high level representative capacity; (d) Normally be influential beyond their national borders, thus having the ability to promote the values of the Globcal International around the world; (e) Be knowledgeable about Globcal International goals and activities and/or those of the designating Globcal Program, Project, or Special Campaign Fund to articulate them.

Only current Commissioners of the Globcal International missions, funds, projects, and programs may designate new goodwill ambassadors and only Goodwill Ambassadors may nominate or suggest new goodwill ambassadors to the commission. However, those Commissioners shall inform the Executive Council of their intention to designate an individual as Goodwill Ambassador before any commitment is made, not less than 30 days prior to the announcement of the designation and subsequent appointment.

Those designated Goodwill Ambassadors are considered Globcal International staff members. Therefore, they shall be granted a Globcal International “Letter of Appointment”.

The “Letter of Appointment” shall set out their terms of reference and length of designation. A standard attachment to the letter shall provide details regarding their status and entitlements, as described below.

Designation of a Goodwill Ambassador is to be considered rare and exceptional. The designating Globcal Commissioner or Mission Chief (Ambassador-at-Large), should ensure that the number of designees is not excessive, in order to maintain the value attached to the designation.

Role of a Goodwill Ambassador

Goodwill Ambassadors may, at the invitation or request of the designating Globcal International Program or Partnership, or by invitation of the Commission, as appropriate, engage in public advocacy; fundraising where authorized and in accordance with the applicable regulations, rules, policies and procedures under the designating regional Ambassador-at-Large; and in public awareness activities. They may participate in certain international events and visit United Nations, Globcal International and similar international organizations field operations as an ambassador with special diplomatic or official visitor status.

The designating Office, Fund or Program or the Globcal International Commission, as appropriate, is responsible for establishing specific terms of reference for individual Goodwill Ambassadors. In general, however, Goodwill Ambassadors are expected to:

  • Respect the impartiality and independence of the Globcal International Cooperative and to refrain from any conduct that would adversely reflect on Globcal International; 
  • Refrain from any activity incompatible with the purposes and principles of Globcal International; 
  • Exercise good judgement and discretion in all matters relating to the performance of their functions for Globcal International; 
  • Obtain guidance on their specific activities from the Globcal International Commission; and/or staff assigned to liaise with them.

Conditions of Service

Goodwill Ambassadors shall be designated on a temporal and lifetime basis under assignments for a period of one to three years, temporal ambassadors can become designated for lifetime recognition following the completion of a successful mission, based on mutual agreement by the parties on the basis of satisfactory fulfillment of the role and their demonstrated interest in continuing the relationship.

Goodwill and benevolence in the case of Globcal International is considered a great personal asset that has an intangible but integral value; international goodwill combined with a great sense of global equality, social responsibility, and equity replaces the sentiments of nationalism and patriotism making your character more politically neutral. Goodwill Ambassadors are paid a minor salary to render goodwill commensurate with their personal investment, ability, and participation based on their successful developments and project involvement if acting in a full-time executive capacity.

Cooperative membership for Goodwill Ambassadors is based on a single personal lifetime cooperative investment between $2,000-$5,000 dependent upon the type and level of membership participation. Special associate membership is $250 per year. Goodwill Ambassadors are also expected to be resourceful, recruit volunteers, seek in-kind collaborations, and establish permanent or temporary field offices often at their own expense or the expense of the community or philanthropic project they are developing.

Benefits of Becoming an Ambassador

All cooperative members who are goodwill ambassadors receive a symbolic payment equal to a cooperative dividend share (the number of members divided by 13% of the cooperative's total net revenue) or $1 per year if working in a volunteer capacity as a global citizen as part of a mission embassy. Goodwill Ambassadors may be reimbursed or given travel and daily subsistence allowances for them and/or their field embassy members (if they are on a mission with a permanent or in a long-term project) when they are travelling on behalf of the Globcal International.

When on official travel or performing services for Globcal International, Goodwill Ambassadors are considered as having the status of “Expert on Mission” for the organization within the meaning of Section 22, Article VI of the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations of 13 February 1946 (“the General Convention”).

As “Experts on Mission”, Goodwill Ambassadors shall be entitled to be eligible for a Globcal International Laissez-Faire and Passer Passport Companion Credential Document (PCCD) indicating that they are working with providing humanitarian relief, international cooperation, or presenting international education projects under Globcal International as an invited guest or special visitor. Our credential is invalid within your birth nation or nation of citizenship and can only be used while traveling to confirm your identity and credentials to international hosts.

All goodwill ambassadors shall be entitled to certificates and letters when they are travelling on official business of Globcal International, and should be accorded facilities for speedy travel and diplomatic accommodation, similar to those accorded to invitations by Governments that are parties to the General Convention (Sections 25 and 26, Article VII of the General Convention).

When travelling on behalf of Globcal International, a Goodwill Ambassador shall be entitled to the standard of travel normally accorded to senior state officials. A higher standard of travel or special exemptions requires prior authorization of the Globcal International Commission Executive Council. While on assignment in the field Goodwill Ambassadors may not directly represent other organizations in the same sentiment unless through a defined partnership.

Goodwill Ambassadors who are authorized to travel at Globcal International expense or who are requested to perform services on behalf of Globcal International shall if patronized receive special services including emergency services anything additional to these services will be the responsibility of the ambassador for arranging, at their own additional expense, such travel, life, health and other forms of insurance covering the period of their services on behalf of the Globcal International, as they consider appropriate. Goodwill Ambassadors are only eligible to participate in the travel insurance available to Globcal International general members that have purchased a global citizenship or iNGO credential booklet.

Goodwill Ambassador Management

Globcal International shall maintain an updated list of its Goodwill Ambassadors at all times. The Board of Commissioners shall reflect relevant public information materials in a timely manner. The Globcal International Commission shall be the focal point for consultation and communication on policy issues relating to Goodwill Ambassadors and other public figures as advocates, including their designation and status.

The Globcal International Commission will also facilitate the sharing of information and best practices in the management of relationships with Goodwill Ambassadors.

The designation of a Goodwill Ambassador shall be terminated if, in the view of the Head of the relevant Program, Project or Campaign the designee is unable or unwilling to carry out the role envisaged in the terms of reference, if the Goodwill Ambassador engages in any activity incompatible with his/her status or with the purposes and principles of the Globcal International, or if the termination is in the interest of the Organization.

The information presented here was adapted based on guidelines of the United Nations and other international organizations, the aforesaid information is subject to international copyright and for the exclusive use of Globcal International members.