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NEW YORK (AP) — David Beckham, Millie Bobby Brown and Hugh Jackman are among celebrities and world leaders announced Tuesday as participants and official supporters of the UNICEF initiative World Children’s Day.
The organization said events around the globe will focus on child takeovers to mark the day Nov. 20, including a gathering at the United Nations in New York. That’s where UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres will welcome children and singer-songwriters Chloe x Halle will perform a new track written for the occasion.
Young people in Geneva, meanwhile, will take over the Palais des Nations to perform a special cover of Pink’s hit “What About Us.”
In Spain, children will join Leo Messi and others on the powerhouse soccer team FC Barcelona for a practice session, while in India, cricket will be the game for 22 child athletes who will play with legendary cricketer and UNICEF goodwill ambassador Sachin Tendulkar.
Brown, who appears on the Netflix series “Stranger Things,” will kick off the day in Australia. Jackman is lending his voice via video to a fundraiser focused on providing clean water to those in need, to take place in gyms around the world on Saturday.
“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. “It’s our day, everyone! A day for us to raise our voices and unite. So let’s do it — in our schools, with our friends, with our families!”
“It’s a fun day with a serious point. A day for children by children to help save children’s lives, fight for their rights and help them fulfill their potential,” said Justin Forsyth, UNICEF deputy executive director.
Beckham, a UNICEF goodwill ambassador, will appear in a short film with children. Other events are planned for Copenhagen and Accra, where 10 children from eight African countries will tell the world about the continent in a series of Ted Talk-style appearances called Africa Dialogues.
More than 50 companies and organizations around the world will turn over key roles to children, including LEGO, Qantas and H&M Foundation. In schools, children will also take over classrooms and assemblies to raise their voices and fundraise in solidarity with the world’s most disadvantaged and vulnerable children.

Franklin Police Chief Sabria McGuire reported the following arrest:
Melissa Badeaux, 37, of Cedar Street, Franklin, was arrested Tuesday at 7:16 p.m. on a warrant for Third Ward City Court charging her with failure to appear on the charge of school attendance. Badeaux was booked, processed, and held on a $268 bond.
Jaymie Williams, 48, of Myrtis Street, New Iberia, was arrested Wednesday at 11:53 a.m. on warrants charging him with illegal possession of stolen things, forgery and theft. No bond was set.
Clarence Darby, 35, of Isabella Street, Franklin, was arrested Wednesday at 7:16 p.m. on a Patterson warrant charging him with simple battery – domestic violence. No bond was set.
St. Mary Parish Sheriff Mark Hebert reported the following arrests:
Debbie Davis, 53, of 110 Alexander Lane, Franklin, was arrested Tuesday at 3:37 p.m. on charges of general speed law violation, turning movements and required signals violation, following vehicles too closely and improper display of license plate.
Narcotics detectives patrolling Patterson observed a car traveling closely behind another vehicle on US 90. The view of the vehicle’s license plate was obstructed. Detectives then observed the car moving at 70 miles per hour in a posted 55 miles per hour zone and witnessed the driver fail to signal a lane change. Detectives conducted a traffic stop and spoke with the driver who was identified as Davis. Following the traffic stop investigation, Davis was released on a summons.
Davin Myers, 26, of 1695 Duchamp Road, Broussard, was arrested Tuesday at 1 p.m. on a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of criminal trespass.
During booking at the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center, a correctional deputy located the active warrant for Myers’ arrest. Myers was released on a $1,500 bond.
Miranda Brown, 24, of 115 A Elaine St., Morgan City, was arrested Tuesday at 4:04 p.m. on a warrant for failure to appear for a drug court status conference. During booking at the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center, a correctional deputy located the active warrant for Brown’s arrest. No bail is set.
Renaldo Toussaint Sr., 40, of 211 Batiste St., Baldwin, was arrested Tuesday at 6:15 p.m. on a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of criminal neglect of family. During booking at the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center, a correctional deputy located the active warrant for Toussaint’s arrest. Bail on the warrant is set at $10,201.
Andre Broussard, 44, of 1019 Roy J. Melancon Road, Breaux Bridge, was arrested Wednesday at 8:50 a.m. on the charge of operating a vehicle with a suspended driver’s license.
A deputy traveling on US 90, in the Centerville area, observed a motorist on the side of the roadway and stopped to assist. The deputy spoke with the driver, Broussard, and found that he was operating the vehicle with a suspended license. Broussard was released on a summons.

Members of VFW Post 4222 and Auxiliary were on hand for the 139th Regional Support Group deployment ceremony in New Orleans. They offered support and donations to post member John Trevino. Shown from left: auxiliary member Veronica Bernadou; post member Bobby Boudreaux; post and auxiliary members Bobbi and Barry Naquin; Trevino; and auxiliary President Claudia Boudreaux.