Stevie Wonder
Musician Stevie Wonder (left) gives UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon a special handshake after he was inducted
as a United Nations Messenger of Peace on 3 December 2009. UN Photo/Eskinder DebebeGrammy Award-winning songwriter and musician Stevie Wonder has been designated as a Messenger of Peace with a focus on persons with disabilities.
Stevie Wonder’s activism has been pivotal in U.S. and world events. In 1983, he spearheaded a campaign to make Martin Luther King Day a national holiday in the United States. He also advocated ending apartheid in South Africa.
His career as a recording artist has reflected his concern with humanitarian issues. He has written, produced and/or performed songs relative to charities in support of disabilities, AIDS, cancer, diabetes, hunger and homelessness, domestic abuse and many other causes on behalf of children and adults.
Stevie Wonder has been recognized for his philanthropic efforts for, among others, the U.S. President's Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities, the Children’s Diabetes Foundation, Junior Blind of America, and the creation of the Wonder Vision Awards Program. For over 10 years, he has provided toys and gifts of joy for children and families in need with his annual House Full of Toys benefit concert.
Message of Solidarity with the people of Japan
Stevie Wonder joined Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and a number of other United Nations Messengers of Peace and Goodwill Ambassadors in recording video messages of solidarity with the people of Japan in the wake of the 11 March earthquake and tsunami. The messages were played to affected populations via national Japanese broadcast partners, online partners, UNICs and the UN's social media channels.