Nelson Mandela and the United Nations had a strong history together. Shortly after he was released from prison, he came to our Headquarters. It was a moment of great excitement.
Nelson Mandela’s presence in the General Assembly Hall proved that United Nations resolutions, sanctions and solidarity can win over violence and injustice. His extraordinary compassion after 27 years in prison showed that human rights and equality are stronger than discrimination and hate. On that day in 1990, he said people would always be challenged by the fact that, quote, “it took as long as it has before all of us stood up to say enough is enough.” The room burst into applause.
Apartheid is gone – thanks to Nelson Mandela, countless other individuals and the proud actions of the United Nations. But our planet and its people still face terrible threats -- poverty, discrimination, climate change, conflict and more. Nelson Mandela Day is a call to action. Each of us can celebrate this Day by helping to address real problems in our communities. Together we can give great meaning to our celebration by paving the way for a better future.
Ban Ki-moon
Commemorative Events for 2014
New York, UN General Assembly Event
The UN General Assembly will hold a special session meeting to mark Nelson Mandela International Day on 18 July 2014.
This year, in New York, UN staff, joined by the Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, and in partnership with MillionTreesNYC, will volunteer their time on 18 July 2014 and get their hands dirty by pulling weeds, putting down mulch and watering tree beds to help take care of newly planted trees on the streets of Midtown Manhattan and East Harlem. See Take Action to learn more about the activity.
For more information see the UN press release.
Geneva
United Nations Information Service will hold a CinéONU screening at the Palais des Nations, Geneva."One Humanity" at 5 p.m. on Friday, 18 July 2014, followed by a debate.
Guests include Mr. Michael Møller, Acting Director-General of the UN Office at Geneva (UNOG); Ms. Navi Pillay, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, and Ambassador Abdul Samad Minty, Permanent Representative of South Africa to the UN in Geneva.
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| South African President Jacob Zuma, second left, in background with a
bust of former South African President Nelson Mandela, center, outside
Parliament before giving the State of the Nation address in the city of
Cape Town, South Africa, June 17, 2014. +VOA News For South Africans, a Bittersweet Birthday Celebration for Nelson Mandela - http://www.voanews.com/content/south-africans-bittersweet-birthday-celebration-for-nelson-mandela/1958781.html |
Mandela Day Public Service Announcement 2014
Join the Forum : Nelson Mandela International Day - July 18
UN: Can you spare 67 minutes to take action on Nelson Mandela Day?
- ‘Today We Remember All that Nelson Mandela Taught and Gave’, Secretary-General Says in Tribute as General Assembly Marks International Day
- Nelson Mandela Once Said His Garden in Prison Gave Him Small Taste of Freedom, Recalls Secretary-General at Commemorative Public Service Event
- Secretary-General Joins Global Community Service Activities in Honour of Nelson Mandela on 18 July
- Honouring Nelson Mandela’s legacy, UN pledges acts of kindness and goodwill.
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