Kidman Named U.N. Goodwill Ambassador

Nicole Kidman has a new role – working to advance women's rights around the globe as a goodwill ambassador for the U.N.

The Oscar-winning actress will work with the United Nations Development Fund for Women on "critical gender concerns such as ending violence against women," according to a U.N. statement Thursday.

Kidman joins Princess Basma of Jordan, who focuses her attention on the Middle East, and Phoebe Asiyo, a member of the Kenyan Parliament, as an ambassador for the fund.

Since the 1950s, U.N. agencies have enlisted the help of prominent personalities from the arts and sports worlds to highlight key issues, including Angelina Jolie, who has traveled widely as a goodwill ambassador for the U.N.'s refugee agency.

Kidman's screen credits include "The Interpreter," a 2005 thriller in which she played a U.N. interpreter caught up in a cloak-and-dagger assassination attempt.

The 38-year-old actress won an Oscar for her role in 2002's "The Hours." She also has starred in the films "Moulin Rouge!" and "The Peacemaker."

Also on Thursday, Kidman was given Australia's highest civilian honor for her contribution to the performing arts and her charitable work.

She was named a companion in the general division of the Order of Australia, one of more than 200 people honored to mark the Australia Day national holiday that celebrates the arrival of the first European settlers in 1788 in what is now Sydney Harbour.

By Bradley Brooks