Roger Moore was awarded the German Federal Service Cross from President Johannes Rau for his work as special representative to the U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF).

"This award is much more important than receiving an Academy Award," Roger Moore said after the ceremony at Rau's office in Berlin, where an international film festival is taking place.

"As James Bond, the villains were easily recognizable. Now the villains are not so visible and the fight is uphill," said Moore, who first played Bond in the 1973 film "Live and Let Die."

Roger Moore, a UNICEF goodwill ambassador since 1991, announced details of a campaign against child trafficking.

During his trips around the world to film the James Bond films during the 1970s and 1980s, Moore said he was aware of poverty but had done nothing about it: "I was more concerned about what I had for lunch or that my shirts were ironed," he said.

 

 

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Roger Moore receiving the German medal of honor

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German president Johannes Rau gestures as he talks to Roger Moore as his wife Christina looks on in Berlin February 10, 2003. Roger Moore was honored with the German medal of honor for his efforts to support the United Nations world children's organization UNICEF

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Roger Moore has the German Federal Service Cross pinned on him by Christina Rau, wife of German president Johannes Rau, during ceremonies to honor his work in support of UNICEF, in Berlin February 10, 2003.Roger Moore said his real-life fight against child traffickers as a UNICEF ambassador was far more rewarding than battling fictitious villains in his signature role as spy James Bond.

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Roger Moore with Nina Ruge at the "Cinema for Peace" gala event

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Roger Moore, Christopher Lee and Dustin Hoffman at the "Cinema for Peace" gala event

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Roger Moore with Bob Geldof at the "Cinema for Peace" gala event

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Roger Moore, here with Faye Dunaway, presents a UNICEF petition against the trade of children, which they earlier had signed during the "Cinema for Peace" gala event at the Berlin Concert Hall. The UNICEF gala within the Berlin Film Festival was raising funds for children in war zones worldwide.

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Dustin Hoffman is applauded by Roger Moore after delivering his speech at the "Cinema for Peace" gala event at the Berlin Concert Hall in which he spoke against a possible war on Iraq. The UNICEF gala within the Berlin Film Festival was raising funds for children in war zones worldwide.

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