Olympic swimmer and Syrian refugee appointed UN Goodwill Ambassador

Yusra Mardini was appointed by the United Nations refugee agency (UNHCR) as its newest Goodwill Ambassador – a role long famously held by US movie star Angelina Jolie.

Mardini "has become a powerful voice for the forcibly displaced across the world and a powerful example of their resilience and determination to rebuild lives and positively contribute to host communities," UNHCR said in a statement on Thursday.

In 2015, a then 18-year-old Mardini fled her home town with her sister, and began their perilous journey across the Mediterranean.

After the engine in their flimsy boat failed, Yusra and her sister took to the dark waters of the Mediterranean and pulled the boat for more than three hours across the sea, bringing it to safety in Greece.

Later settling in Berlin, without friends or family, Mardini was discovered by a local swimming coach, and later picked to join the Olympics' first ever refugee team to compete at the summer games in Rio last year.

Mardini has since been vocal about the plight of refugees, discussing challenges they faced with leaders like Pope Francis and President Barack Obama.

"Yusra is a deeply inspiring young woman," UN refugee chief Filippo Grandi said.

She added that the Syrian teen "represents the hopes, the fears and the incredible potential of the more than ten million young refugees around the globe."

Mardini herself said she was thrilled with her appointment.

"I could not be more proud to be part of this team," Mardini told reporters in Geneva. "There is no shame in being a refugee if we remember who we are.

"I am a refugee and I'm proud to stand for peace, for decency and dignity for all those fleeing violence."