The recent appointment of a Californian pop-artist as the ambassador of a British Asian Trust has drawn backlash and re-ignited the diversity debate. His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, Prince Charles welcomed Katy Perry as an ambassador at the British Asian Trust’s annual Royal Dinner on Wednesday, 5th February.
“India has long held a special place in my heart, and on my last visit, I was able to meet with The Prince of Wales and other leaders in Mumbai, and I was impressed by their strong plan - from on-ground initiatives to fundraising - that will aim to cut child trafficking in half.
“That is why I am especially honoured to be named an ambassador for the British Asian Trust’s Children’s Protection Fund, and to help shine my light on the work that the British Asian Trust will be doing in South Asia, and to be a part of finding solutions to child trafficking,” said Katy Perry.
However, members of the British Asian diaspora have questioned the trust in her appointment especially considering she doesn’t have either Asian or British roots. Prince Charles first met with Perry in India in November 2019 at a meeting in Mumbai of British Asian Trust supporters and advisors.
Whilst her prior work with UNICEF may cast a light onto her intention of supporting the Trust in its charitable work in India, some members have expressed the need for appointment of British Asian celebrities as ambassadors of such charities to foster diversity in arts and culture.
This especially is highlighted following Joaquin Phoenix’s speech at BAFTAs where he urged the industry to work hard to recognise “systematic racism” and the absence of recognition of BAME artists and their work.
The event focussed on building an anti-trafficking fund in South Asia and collaborate with Sir Chris Hohn and the Children's Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF). Popular philanthropist, Natasha Poonawalla, announced a multimillion-pound pledge to the Fund. And the event was attended by celebrities such as comedian Russell Peters among other British Asian Trust ambassadors Nihal Arthanayake and Naughty Boy. Other guests included the Rt Hon Matt Hancock MP, Secretary of State for Health; His Excellency Mohammad Nafees Zakaria, High Commissioner for Pakistan and Her Excellency Saida Muna Tasneem, High Commissioner for Bangladesh.
Through the Trust’s work in anti-trafficking, improving livelihoods, education and mental health, it has already touched the lives of 4.8 million people in India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka and has recently expanded its remit into Bangladesh.
