Mr. Wilfried Lemke, of Germany, was appointed by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon as his Special Adviser on Sport for Development and Peace in March 2008. The Special Adviser leads and coordinates the efforts of the United Nations system to promote understanding and support for sport as an instrument for development and peace, and encourages dialogue, collaboration and partnerships in this area.

Mr. Lemke has over 25 years of professional experience in both sport and politics. From 1999 to 2008, he served as Senator for Interior and Sport as well as Senator for Education and Science of the State of Bremen, Germany. 

Mr. Lemke was General Manager of Werder Bremen for 18 years, one of the top football clubs in Europe. Throughout his career he has been a dedicated advocate for the importance of sport in education and society. He notably engaged in fundraising, the initiation and facilitation of various international relief projects.

Mr. Lemke holds a degree in Sport and Educational Sciences from Hamburg University. He was born on 19 August 1946 and is married, with four children.

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