Tracing the Young Actress’ Efforts for Children Globally

Millie Bobby Brown did not appear in the spotlight out of the blue; she grew into it. Once the lab rat of Dr. Brenner, Brown has long since shed her cocoon. She has become a force in her own right, using her stardom to craft real change. From her early days as a child celebrity, she has set her sights on something bigger to leave an imprint on the world of children everywhere with a heart dedicated to the future with her partnership with UNICEF as a Goodwill Ambassador since 2018.

As Brown steps forward, we turn our attention to the quieter she has inhabited and lit up for those who, like Eleven, are beyond perfect—truly Eleven out of Ten.

Millie Bobby Brown and UNICEF: The beginning

Millie Bobby Brown has always been a dreamer. But what sets her apart from the rest of the stars is her dream field is not just made of her own. On December 12, 2016, UNICEF commemorated 70 years of relentless work for the children and a Children’s Takeover event was co-hosted by then-12-year-old Brown.

The celebration took place at United Nations Headquarters in New York where Goodwill Ambassadors Ishmael Beah, David Beckham, Orlando Bloom, Jackie Chan, Angelique Kidjo, Femi Kuti, and Priyanka Chopra were present. Safe to say, it was only the start of Brown’s righteous journey.

Millie Bobby Brown and UNICEF’s alliance through 2017

The next year, UNICEF announced Millie Bobby Brown, David Beckham, and Hugh Jackman among the celebrities who joined forces to become the official participants and supporters for the inauguration of World Children’s Day. To celebrate the day worldwide, the organization curated events zeroing in on child takeovers, and the Stranger Things star kick-started things in Australia.

“I am so excited for the first-ever global celebration of World Children’s Day on November 20th with UNICEF,” Brown said in a statement, encouraging children to raise their voices and unite. However, it was in 2018 that the trajectory of this partnership took a more important turn.

Millie Bobby Brown, the youngest Goodwill Ambassador of UNICEF

On November 20, 2018, UNICEF appointed and announced the Stranger Things actor as their newest Goodwill Ambassador on World Children’s Day, at United Nations Headquarters and the Empire State Building in New York. The then 14-year-old became the youngest-ever Goodwill Ambassador. It was nothing but a “dream come true” for Brown, who pledged to hear the stories of these children and be their voice wherever need it be.

As a Goodwill Ambassador, the British star shouldered the responsibility of using her stardom to shed light on the plight of vulnerable youth and champion children’s rights. She also pledged to tackle the tough terrain of setbacks, illuminating the shadows cast by limited education, stifled learning, scarce safe havens, and the impact of poverty.

To mark the occasion, Brown even appeared in a video before the appointment, where she was seen encouraging supporters to #GoBlue for the upliftment of children’s rights. She even highlighted her association with UNICEF on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.

Millie Bobby Brown’s efforts for UNICEF: 2019

Fast forward to another year, Millie Bobby Brown and David Beckham joined to headline a global summit at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. The summit, a part of the World Children’s Day celebration in 2019, coincided with the 30th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

The summit was held across over 50 countries, including Armenia, Ethiopia, and Indonesia, among others. That year, the now-newly wedded actor traveled to Copenhagen, Denmark, for a visit to UNICEF’s global supply chain, known as the “world’s largest humanitarian warehouse.” There, she offered her assistance to test and pack important supplies for some of the most defenseless, fragile, and exposed children.

Brown additionally learned the nitpicks of planning and distribution of emergency supplies in the sectors of health, nutrition, and education. And in the years that followed, Brown’s relationship with UNICEF only got stronger and better.

Millie Bobby Brown and UNICEF’s association through the pandemic

To celebrate World Children’s Day in 2020, Millie Bobby Brown spoke with three young activists, Emmanuel from Tanzania, Aibanu from Kazakhstan, and Gitanjali from the US, to address issues like online intimidation, education, and COVID-19 prevention. The SAG-winning actor also took part in the World’s Largest Lesson Live, a virtual event with UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore, to encourage and inspire the youth to learn more about the United Nations Global Goals.

In 2020, Brown helped the inauguration of UNICEF’s One Love global activation, an initiative taken in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic to fundraise and protect the youth and their families amidst the trying times.

Brown even supported the partnership with Pandora, who extended a staggering donation of $1 million for the activation and fundraiser. 

Millie Bobby Brown and UNICEF: 2023-2024

In the year 2023, Millie Bobby Brown spoke at the UN Water Action Conference, as captured in a UNICEF tweet, she championed a crucial cause. The Damsel star delivered an impassioned plea to global leaders, urging them to turn the tide on menstrual health and hygiene by increasing investments. With unwavering conviction, she shed light on the invisible struggle of those unable to access the basic products, exposing the harsh realities of marginalized children. Her advocacy sparked a rallying cry for sustainable solutions, seeking to bridge the gap and ensure equitable access.

Last year, Brown locked in a groundbreaking partnership with Louis Vuitton, unveiling the exquisite Silver Lockit Collection. This stunning collaboration was designed to benefit UNICEF’s initiatives, providing vital support to vulnerable children worldwide. The delicately engraved pieces feature the word LEARN, a term handpicked by the Ambassador herself. 

This meaningful acronym serves as a powerful symbol, representing the key to unlocking a brighter future, one where every child has access to quality education, healthcare, and opportunities to thrive. She also delivered a message on World’s Children’s Day and she ensured she kept at it at 2025 as well.

Millie Bobby Brown’s powerful message at UNICEF’s Power4Girls

Millie Bobby Brown’s rise was not sudden but a steady bloom, unfolding with grace, making her journey feel not just like a career but a personal odyssey for her fans, who often forget that she is evolving as credible artist as an individual. But as she took the mic at UNICEF’s Power4Girls recently, she declared out and loud, “girls are not statistics.”

Brown divulged into the deep-rooted injustices and unsaid standards that continuously underestimate women. And the weight of her words felt increasingly palpable, especially after the scrutiny that followed after her BRIT Awards appearance. While Brown may be best known for vanquishing Demogorgons in the Upside Down, it turns out she is out there battling the real Demodogs that often go unseen by the rest of the world.

What do you think of Millie Bobby Brown’s cherished association with UNICEF? Let us know in the comments below!