Teen star Selena Gomez has been named a spokesperson for children's charity Unicef's 2008 Trick-or-Treat campaign.

The initiative, which coincides with Hallowe'en, hopes to encourage children to help kids worse off than them around the world.

Gomez' appointment marks the campaign's 58th year.

The 16-year-old star of Disney kids TV show The Wizards of Waverly Place says, "I am extremely excited to be this year's Trick-or-Treat for Unicef spokesperson. I want to help encourage other kids to make a difference in the world and show them that Trick-or-Treat for Unicef is such a great, fun way to get involved."

Unicef (The United Nations Children's Fund) president Carly Stern says, "We are thrilled to have Selena be a part of the Trick-or-Treat for Unicef program this year. Young people can relate to Selena, and she is a great role model who we believe will greatly enhance the visibility of the program."