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United Nations Messengers of Peace are individuals who possess widely recognized talents in the fields of arts, literature, music and sports and who have agreed to help focus world-wide attention on the work of the United Nations.
There are ten Messengers of Peace: Vijay
Amritraj, Muhammad Ali, Anna Cataldi, Michael
Douglas, Jane Goodall, Yo-Yo Ma, Enrico Macias,
Wynton Marsalis, Luciano Pavarotti
and Elie Wiesel.
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Messages of Peace from the Messengers of Peace
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Sport plays an important part in my life -- and in the lives of millions of people of all ages and nationalities. Sport helps us lead fuller, healthier, more peaceful lives. Peace can help us pursue our dreams, enjoy our families and improve our communities. Join me this year in observing the International Day of Peace. |
| International tennis player Vijay Amritraj
(India) was appointed UN Messenger of Peace on 9 February
2001. Mr Amritraj has been a committed advocate
to people in need, devoting his time to raising awareness
of issues related to children affected by war and other
crises, illicit drugs and HIV/AIDS. He has participated
in and organized charitable events worldwide, raising
funds to fight the spread of AIDS and is associated with
numerous Indian-American charitable and community organizations. |
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In 1971, former Beatle John Lennon wrote and recorded a hymn for peace - "Imagine" - which has become an anthem for the long march to establishing a peaceful, safe planet. Yet, today, 24 years later, the peace Lennon called out for remains imaginary at best.
The events of the past year - war, terrorism, military expenditures, the deep divisions among nations and human beings throughout the world - serve to make this year's International Peace Day more critical than ever.
I urge you to listen to Lennon's "Imagine",and join with the United Nations, during its 60th anniversary year, in celebrating the International Day of Peace on September 21st.
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| Film and television actor and producer Michael Douglas
(USA) was appointed Messenger of Peace in 1998. He has
demonstrated a strong commitment to disarmament, including
nuclear non-proliferation and stemming the tide of small
arms and light weapons. Mr. Douglas has promoted abolition
of nuclear weapons as a moral imperative. He has also
spoken out in favour of greater controls over the illegal
possession and circulation of small arms and light weapons.
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Peace represents the
bud that each of us should cultivate and take care of
in our souls, to be able to enjoy its fruits in relationship
with others, in our homes and our countries, every day.
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| Opera singer Luciano Pavarotti (Italy) was
appointed Messenger of Peace on 3 March 1998. He is strongly
committed to alleviating the suffering of children in
war-torn countries, performing at, and organizing concerts
to benefit children stricken by war. |
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Young men and women all over the world, the world is in your hands. This century is your century. It is up to you to fashion it, to give it meaning and ensure a future for all of us. We need you. As you need our memory, we need your commitment.
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| Nobel Peace Prize winner, writer, thinker and conscience of humanity, Elie Wiesel has advised the Secretary-General on a number of global issues and lent his voice to a variety of UN causes, particularly in the field of human rights. |
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More information about UN Messengers of Peace.
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