15 quotes by Kofi Annan, a man of peace in a world torn by strife

In 1996, Kofi Annan became the first black African Secretary-General of the United Nations. At the time when he took up the position of UN Secretary General, the UN was in financial trouble. Kofi Annan brought a new face to the UN by making necessary budget and staff changes. It was under his leadership that the UN dealt with several issues. Political situations, raising the status of women and enhancing the relations between businesses, labour, and civil groups were some of them. He even maintained his own web page during his 10 year tenure to keep people informed.

In 2001, the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded jointly to United Nations and Kofi Annan “for their work for a better and organised and more peaceful world”. Here are a few quotes of wisdom from this man of peace:

1. “We may have different religions, different coloured skin, but we all belong to one human race.”
2. “To live is to choose. But to choose well, you must know who you are and what you stand for, where you want to go and why you want to get there.”
3. “When women thrive all of society benefits and succeeding generations are given a better start in life.”
4. “Education is a human right with immense power to transform. On its foundation rest the cornerstones of freedom, democracy and sustainable human development.”
5. “Gender equality is more than a goal in itself. It is a precondition for meeting the challenge of reducing poverty, promoting sustainable development and building good governance.”
6. “Peace is never a perfect achievement”
7. “We have the means and the capacity to deal with our problems, if only we can find the political will.”
8. “Violence against women is perhaps the most shameful human rights violation, and it is perhaps the most pervasive. It knows no boundaries of geography, culture or wealth. As long as it continues, we cannot claim to be making real progress towards equality, development and peace.”
9. “If one is going to err, one should err on the side of liberty and freedom.”
10. “I am often asked what can people do to become a good global citizen. I reply that it begins in your own community.”
11. “Let us be good stewards of the Earth we inherited. All of us have to share the Earth's fragile ecosystems and precious resources, and each of us has a role to play in preserving them. If we are to go on living together on this earth, we must all be responsible for it.”
12. “Invite politicians to dinner and let them tell the world how delicious it is. They will proudly go around and say, 'I ate crickets, I ate locusts, and they were delicious.”
13. “The happiness of any society begins with the well-being of the families that live in it.”
14. “You are never too young to lead.”
15. “The world is not ours to keep. We hold it in trust for future generations.”