Latest News

Nelson Mandela is celebrated at the UN

On 15^th July 2010, the new film MANDELA: Son of Africa and Father of a Nation by film producer, Academy Award winning director Jonathan Demme and co-producer Peter Saraf was screened at the UN.  Mandela himself was the actor and it was an excellent production, depicting the man in the words of Secretary General Ban Ki-moon ‘Nelson Mandela is a towering figure.  He embodies the highest values of humanity, and of the United Nations.  His life, his strength and his decency are an example to us all.  He fought his oppressors for years.  And then, he forgave them’.

In November 2009, the UN General Assembly declared 18^th July (Mandela’s birthday and this year he is 92 years young) Nelson Mandela International Day in recognition of the former South African President’s contribution to the culture of peace and freedom.

On 16^th July 2010, the UN celebrated the first Nelson Mandela International Day.  The President of the General Assembly in his address stated ‘An icon and an exemplary figure, Mr. Mandela is one of the greatest moral and political leaders of our time, an international hero whose lifelong dedication to the fight against racial oppression in South Africa won him the Nobel Peace Prize, the presidency of his country and international acclaim and respect as a vital force in the fight for human rights and racial equality.  Mr. Mandela’s life has also been based upon dialogue, an apt example in view of the many conflicts that plague the world today.’ For more information click here.

[Submitted by Sr. Fatima Rodrigo]