United Nations, New York, USA, July 24 2015 – General Assembly marked Nelson Mandela International Day (18 July) with an informal meeting, including the award of the first-ever UN Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela Prize, recognizing the South African leader’s contributions to democracy, justice and reconciliation and his dedication to the service of humanity. The two laureates, Helena Ndume of Namibia and Jorge Fernando Branco Sampaio of Portugal, attended the meeting to receive the Prize.
On the Photo: Dr. Ndume, Jesse Jackson, Ruhakana Rugunda
Credit: Luiz Rampelotto/EuropaNewswire
The United Nations General Assembly Friday marked Nelson Mandela International Day – which is observed on 18 July – by awarding the first-ever UN Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela Prize, recognizing the South African leader’s contributions to democracy, justice and reconciliation and his dedication to the service of humanity.
The first two laureates of the Prize are Dr. Helena Ndume of Namibia and Jorge Fernando Branco Sampaio of Portugal.
Dr. Ndume of Namibia is an ophthalmologist whose life’s work has been the treatment of blindness and eye-related illnesses, both in Namibia and throughout the developing world.
Sampaio of Portugal became a leader in the struggle for the restoration of democracy in Portugal, and served as Deputy Minister for External Co-operation; as Mayor of Lisbon from 1989 to 1995; and, from 1996 to 2006, as President of the country.
The Prize was also established to pay homage to Nelson Mandela’s extraordinary life and legacy of reconciliation, political transition and social transformation.
Speaking to the General Assembly Member States, Dr. Helena Ndume said,
“What is humbling and rewarding is what the patients tell us what they are looking forward now that they can see. For example: “I’ll be able to see my baby for the first time, delivered six months ago”.
She stressed,
“Blindness is linked with extreme poverty. When a father or mother goes blind, he or she may no longer be able to work and provide for the family. When a child goes blind, he or she may no longer be able to go to school and receive education. When a grandparent goes blind, he or she may need constant care from the young family members. In our developing world, being able to see often makes a difference between surviving and starving.”
United Nations, New York, USA, July 24 2015 – Participants at the opening of the United Nations Food Garden, on the occasion of Nelson Mandela International Day (18 July). The Food Garden is an initiative of a group of UN staff members who partnered with New York City Parks’ GreenThumb.
On the Photo: Jorge Fernando Branco Sampaio (left), former President of Portugal and one of the first two laureates of the UN Nelson Mandela Prize
Credit: Luiz Rampelotto/EuropaNewswire
Also speaking after receiving the award, former president of Portugal Jorge Sampaio said,
“Today we are facing troubled and dark times. Major achievements of humankind seem at risk. Our joint journey to universal recognition and the realization of the inherent dignity and the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family as the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world seems threatened.”
In reference to Nelson Mandela’s vision of the world, Sampaio said,
“I really do believe that what our 21st century is missing is this vision, this optimism about humankind, grounded in the extraordinary power of the soul that makes men and women capable of compassion, hope, resilience, pride and sacrifice. This is what we need to do to build hope in the future – to infuse public life and international relations with a bit of magic, that which comes out from our common humanity.”
Credit: Luiz Rampelotto/EuropaNewswire
In November 2009, the UN General Assembly declared 18 July “Nelson Mandela International Day” in recognition of the former South African President’s contribution to the culture of peace and freedom.
Source: EuropaNewswire Photos, UNTV