Al Gore
(Albert Arnold Gore Jr)
Al Gore rose to fame as Bill Clinton’s Vice President, a position that he held from 1993 – 2001, but became an international hero when he became a figurehead for the environmentalist movement. Although he lost out to George Bush in the millennium US elections, he did not give up, and dedicated his life to spreading the word about global warming – releasing the Academy Award winning book and film An Inconvenient Truth in 2006. The poignancy and hard-hitting nature of his work affected all nations, and led to a Nobel Peace Prize the following year.
Dalai Lama
(Lhamo Thondup)
As the spiritual leader of Tibet, the Dalai Lama was put in a devastating position during the late ‘50s, when China began a hostile takeover of his peaceful country. Exiled to India in 1959, the Buddhist monk dedicated his life to trying to reconcile the nations without conflict or violence, while studying and writing about how science and spirituality can lead to happiness. His wisdom and compassion landed him the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989.
Nelson Mandela
(Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela)
“I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.” Nelson Mandela Nelson Mandela, one of the most recognizable human rights symbols of the twentieth century, is a man whose dedication to the liberties of his people inspires human rights advocates throughout the world. Born in Transkei, South Africa. Educated himself with a university degree and law degree. In 1944, he joined the African National Congress (ANC) and actively worked to abolish the apartheid policies of the ruling National Party. On trial for his actions, Mandela declared, “I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and achieve. But if need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.” Mandela became a powerful symbol of resistance for the rising anti-apartheid movement, repeatedly refusing to compromise his political position to obtain his freedom. Finally released in February 1990, he intensified the battle against oppression to attain the goals he and others had set out to accomplish almost four decades earlier. In May 1994, Mandela was inaugurated as South Africa’s first black president, a position he held until 1999. He presided over the transition from minority rule and apartheid, winning international respect for his advocacy of national and international reconciliation. An international celebration of his life and rededication to his goals of freedom and equality was held in 2008, on the occasion of his 90th birthday. “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.” —Nelson Mandela
Aung San Suu Kyi
“We will surely get to our destination if we join hands.” Aung San Suu Kyi (born 19 June 1945 in Yangon, Burma) is a human rights activist, Nobel Peace Prize winner, and former State Counsellor of Myanmar. She is the leader of the National League for Democracy in Burma and a famous prisoner. She has been under house arrest several times. was placed under house arrest for a total of 15 years over a 21-year period, on numerous occasions, since she began her political career, during which time she was prevented from meeting her party supporters and international visitors.
Abdul Sattar Edhi
“My religion is to serve humanity and to serve humanity is the point of every religion”. Abdul Sattar Edhi a Name of Love, Peace and Humanity. Edhi was born in 1928 (1928–2016) in India, in Bantva, a small village near Joona Gurh, in Gujarat State. Edhi began his humanitarian work in 1947, soon after partition. In 1974 Abdul Sattar Edhi establishes the Edhi Foundation which over the years has become the largest and best organized social welfare system in Pakistan and in the Third World. Edhi offering a wide range of life-saving services, In a spirit of tolerance and solidarity that goes beyond racial and religious barriers. Edhi is still working in Karachi where his organization helps the poorest and the most destitute, not only in Pakistan but also in other third world countries.
Tegla Laroupe
Tegla Laroupe is a Kenyan long-distance track and road runner, and she also actively advocates for peace, human rights and education, through her Tegla Loroupe Peace Foundation. In 2003, Loroupe created the Tegla Loroupe Peace Foundation, whose mission is “to improve peace building, livelihoods and resilience of poor people affected by and vulnerable to conflicts and civil strife in the world.” At the same time came the creation of an annual series of Peace Marathons, named "Peace Through Sports," wherein presidents, prime ministers, ambassadors and government officials run with warriors and nomadic groups in her native Kenya, in Uganda and in Sudan, to bring peace to an area plagued by raiding warriors from battling tribes. The races have become an important and significant athletic event, and her efforts and achievements in promoting peace amongst African tribes were lauded by the Kenyan Government in 2010. Moreover, Loroupe has also established a school (Tegla Loroupe Peace Academy) and orphanage for children from the region in Kapenguria, a high-mountain town in north-west Kenya.
Mikhail Gorbachev (1931 – )
Mikhail Gorbachev (1931 – ) Made a lasting contribution to world peace through his determination to reform the Soviet Union. Gorbachev initiated proposals to reduce the number of nuclear arms and helped to end the Cold War. Also, Gorbachev allowed Eastern European countries to break away from Communist rule and become democratic states. Awarded Nobel Peace Prize in 1990.
Lech Walesa (1943-)
Lech Walesa (1943-) Leader of Polish Solidarity Movement had helped to bring about the end of one-party Communist rule. Became the first non-Communist President in 1991. Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1983.
U Thant (1909 – 1974)
U Thant (1909-1974) was a Burmese diplomat and the third United Nations Secretary-General. U Thant played a crucial role in diffusing the Cuban Missile Crisis and was widely respected for his calmness, detachment and commitment to conflict resolution in his role as UN Secretary General.
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