THE YOUNGEST UNICEF AMBASSADOR

Teen sensation Selena Gomez has been officially appointed UNICEF's youngest ever ambassador. The 17-year-old Wizards of Waverly Place actress, who as a child starred in Disney's Barney and Friends, has been chosen to "use her voice, recognition and commitment to children's issues to fundraise and educate" on behalf of the organisation.

"Every day 25,000 children die from preventable causes," said Gomez. "I stand with UNICEF in the belief that we can change that number from 25,000 to zero. I know we can achieve this because every moment, UNICEF is on the ground providing children with the life-saving assistance needed to ensure zero becomes a reality."

It is hoped that teenage actress will be able to reach out to and engage younger people in the global mission to save lives and for her first official trip, Gomez is off to Ghana this week