Naciones Unidas, 18 jul (EFE).- Como cada 18 de julio, la Organización de Naciones Unidas (ONU) recordó hoy a Nelson Mandela y celebró el legado de quien fue presidente de Suráfrica con diversos actos, incluido uno encabezado por el cantante y mensajero de paz de la organización Stevie Wonder.
Tal y como viene haciendo desde el año 2010, Naciones Unidas animó hoy a todo el mundo a dedicar al menos 67 minutos a trabajos en favor de la comunidad, en conmemoración de los 67 años que Mandela dedicó al servicio público.
"Como él hizo, paso a paso, con valor y determinación, juntos podemos escribir un nuevo capítulo de la historia dedicando nuestro tiempo y talento a mejorar las vidas de miles de millones de personas en todas partes", dijo en un discurso el presidente de la Asamblea General de la ONU, Mogens Lykketoft.
Lykketoft presidió hoy un acto en la sede de Naciones Unidas para rendir tributo a Mandela en el día en el que habría cumplido 98 años.
"Como Nelson Mandela, debemos levantarnos contra el odio, el racismo y el fanatismo cultural. Los actos inhumanos destrozan el tejido espiritual de toda la existencia"
El tributo contó con la participación de Stevie Wonder, quien en un discurso se refirió al expresidente surafricano como "uno de los seres humanos más increíbles, generosos y bondadosos que ha pisado el planeta Tierra".
Para el músico, Mandela, con su ejemplo, dejó al mundo una "hoja de ruta para avanzar en la paz y la justicia social de una forma más efectiva".
"Como Nelson Mandela, debemos levantarnos contra el odio, el racismo y el fanatismo cultural. Los actos inhumanos destrozan el tejido espiritual de toda la existencia", subrayó.
El músico, que colabora con la ONU, cerró su intervención interpretando una nueva canción a capella.
En su mensaje con motivo de esta fecha, el secretario general de la ONU, Ban Ki-moon, animó a todos los ciudadanos a movilizarse para construir un mundo "pacífico, sostenible y equitativo".
"Enseñe a un niño. Alimente a alguien hambriento. Limpie un lugar o cuide el medio ambiente. Sirva como voluntario en un hospital o centro comunitario. Sea parte del movimiento de Mandela para hacer del mundo un lugar mejor", pidió Ban en un comunicado.
"Este es el mejor tributo a un hombre extraordinario que, con su firme creencia en la justicia y la igualdad humana, mostró cómo una persona puede hacer diferencias", insistió. EFE
1 de 17 | . Pretoria (South Africa), 17/07/2016.- Graca Machel, the late former South African president Nelson Mandela's wife arrives at the 14th annual Nelson Mandela Lecture, held at the University of Pretoria, Mamelodi Campus, South Africa. 17 July 2016. US businessman and philanthropist Bill Gates and his wife Melinda co-chair the Gates Foundation looking to combat infectious diseases, ensure more children survive and thrive and empower the poor, especially women and girls. Gates is the 14th speaker of the prestigious Nelson Mandela Lecture that this year is delivered the day before what would have been the late former South African President'Äôs birthday. EFE/EPA/CORNELL TUKIRI2 de 17 | . Pretoria (South Africa), 17/07/2016.- US businessman and philanthropist, Bill Gates (R) and Graca Machel (C), the wife of the late former South African president Nelson Mandela await their turn to speak at the 14th annual Nelson Mandela Lecture, held at the University of Pretoria, Mamelodi Campus, South Africa. 17 July 2016. Gates and his wife Melinda co-chair the Gates Foundation looking to combat infectious diseases, ensure more children survive and thrive and empower the poor, especially women and girls. Gates is the 14th speaker of the prestigious Nelson Mandela Lecture that this year is delivered the day before what would have been the late former South African President'Äôs birthday. EFE/EPA/CORNELL TUKIRI3 de 17 | . Pretoria (South Africa), 17/07/2016.- US businessman and philanthropist, Bill Gates, speaks during the 14th annual Nelson Mandela Lecture, held at the University of Pretoria, Mamelodi Campus, South Africa. 17 July 2016. US businessman and philanthropist Bill Gates and his wife Melinda co-chair the Gates Foundation looking to combat infectious diseases, ensure more children survive and thrive and empower the poor, especially women and girls. Gates is the 14th speaker of the prestigious Nelson Mandela Lecture that this year is delivered the day before what would have been the late former South African President'Äôs birthday. EFE/EPA/CORNELL TUKIRI4 de 17 | . Pretoria (South Africa), 17/07/2016.- Guests arrive at the 14th annual Nelson Mandela Lecture, held at the University of Pretoria, Mamelodi Campus, South Africa. 17 July 2016. Bill Gates and his wife Melinda co-chair the Gates Foundation looking to combat infectious diseases, ensure more children survive and thrive and empower the poor, especially women and girls. Gates is the 14th speaker of the prestigious Nelson Mandela Lecture that this year is delivered the day before what would have been the late former South African President'Äôs birthday. EFE/EPA/CORNELL TUKIRI5 de 17 | . Pretoria (South Africa), 17/07/2016.- Graca Machel (C), the late former South African president Nelson Mandela's wife waits to head on stage at the 14th annual Nelson Mandela Lecture, held at the University of Pretoria, Mamelodi Campus, South Africa. 17 July 2016. US businessman and philanthropist Bill Gates and his wife Melinda co-chair the Gates Foundation looking to combat infectious diseases, ensure more children survive and thrive and empower the poor, especially women and girls. Gates is the 14th speaker of the prestigious Nelson Mandela Lecture that this year is delivered the day before what would have been the late former South African President'Äôs birthday. EFE/EPA/CORNELL TUKIRI6 de 17 | . Pretoria (South Africa), 17/07/2016.- Former advocate of the late Nelson Mandela, George Bisos attends the 14th annual Nelson Mandela Lecture, held at the University of Pretoria, Mamelodi Campus, South Africa. 17 July 2016. Gates and his wife Melinda co-chair the Gates Foundation looking to combat infectious diseases, ensure more children survive and thrive and empower the poor, especially women and girls. Gates is the 14th speaker of the prestigious Nelson Mandela Lecture that this year is delivered the day before what would have been the late former South African President'Äôs birthday. EFE/EPA/CORNELL TUKIRI7 de 17 | . Pretoria (South Africa), 17/07/2016.- Graca Machel, the late former South African president Nelson Mandela's wife arrives at the 14th annual Nelson Mandela Lecture, held at the University of Pretoria, Mamelodi Campus, South Africa. 17 July 2016. US businessman and philanthropist Bill Gates and his wife Melinda co-chair the Gates Foundation looking to combat infectious diseases, ensure more children survive and thrive and empower the poor, especially women and girls. Gates is the 14th speaker of the prestigious Nelson Mandela Lecture that this year is delivered the day before what would have been the late former South African President'Äôs birthday. EFE/EPA/CORNELL TUKIRI8 de 17 | . Pretoria (South Africa), 17/07/2016.- US businessman and philanthropist, Bill Gates, speaks during the 14th annual Nelson Mandela Lecture, held at the University of Pretoria, Mamelodi Campus, South Africa. 17 July 2016. US businessman and philanthropist Bill Gates and his wife Melinda co-chair the Gates Foundation looking to combat infectious diseases, ensure more children survive and thrive and empower the poor, especially women and girls. Gates is the 14th speaker of the prestigious Nelson Mandela Lecture that this year is delivered the day before what would have been the late former South African President'Äôs birthday. EFE/EPA/CORNELL TUKIRI9 de 17 | . Pretoria (South Africa), 17/07/2016.- US businessman and philanthropist, Bill Gates, speaks during the 14th annual Nelson Mandela Lecture, held at the University of Pretoria, Mamelodi Campus, South Africa. 17 July 2016. US businessman and philanthropist Bill Gates and his wife Melinda co-chair the Gates Foundation looking to combat infectious diseases, ensure more children survive and thrive and empower the poor, especially women and girls. Gates is the 14th speaker of the prestigious Nelson Mandela Lecture that this year is delivered the day before what would have been the late former South African President'Äôs birthday. EFE/EPA/CORNELL TUKIRI10 de 17 | . Pretoria (South Africa), 17/07/2016.- US businessman and philanthropist, Bill Gates, speaks during the 14th annual Nelson Mandela Lecture, held at the University of Pretoria, Mamelodi Campus, South Africa. 17 July 2016. US businessman and philanthropist Bill Gates and his wife Melinda co-chair the Gates Foundation looking to combat infectious diseases, ensure more children survive and thrive and empower the poor, especially women and girls. Gates is the 14th speaker of the prestigious Nelson Mandela Lecture that this year is delivered the day before what would have been the late former South African President'Äôs birthday. EFE/EPA/CORNELL TUKIRI11 de 17 | . Pretoria (South Africa), 17/07/2016.- US businessman and philanthropist, Bill Gates (L) greets Graca Machel (R), the wife of the late former South African president Nelson Mandela attending the 14th annual Nelson Mandela Lecture, held at the University of Pretoria, Mamelodi Campus, South Africa. 17 July 2016. US businessman and philanthropist Bill Gates and his wife Melinda co-chair the Gates Foundation looking to combat infectious diseases, ensure more children survive and thrive and empower the poor, especially women and girls. Gates is the 14th speaker of the prestigious Nelson Mandela Lecture that this year is delivered the day before what would have been the late former South African President'Äôs birthday. EFE/EPA/CORNELL TUKIRI12 de 17 | . Pretoria (South Africa), 17/07/2016.- US businessman and philanthropist, Bill Gates, speaks during the 14th annual Nelson Mandela Lecture, held at the University of Pretoria, Mamelodi Campus, South Africa. 17 July 2016. US businessman and philanthropist Bill Gates and his wife Melinda co-chair the Gates Foundation looking to combat infectious diseases, ensure more children survive and thrive and empower the poor, especially women and girls. Gates is the 14th speaker of the prestigious Nelson Mandela Lecture that this year is delivered the day before what would have been the late former South African President'Äôs birthday. EFE/EPA/CORNELL TUKIRI13 de 17 | . Pretoria (South Africa), 17/07/2016.- US businessman and philanthropist, Bill Gates, speaks during the 14th annual Nelson Mandela Lecture, held at the University of Pretoria, Mamelodi Campus, South Africa. 17 July 2016. US businessman and philanthropist Bill Gates and his wife Melinda co-chair the Gates Foundation looking to combat infectious diseases, ensure more children survive and thrive and empower the poor, especially women and girls. Gates is the 14th speaker of the prestigious Nelson Mandela Lecture that this year is delivered the day before what would have been the late former South African President'Äôs birthday. EFE/EPA/CORNELL TUKIRI14 de 17 | . Pretoria (South Africa), 17/07/2016.- (L-R) US businessman and philanthropist, Bill Gates greets Graca Machel, the wife of the late former South African president Nelson Mandela and chairman of the Nelson Mandela Centre for Memory, Professor Njabulo Ndebele attend the 14th annual Nelson Mandela Lecture, held at the University of Pretoria, Mamelodi Campus, South Africa. 17 July 2016. US businessman and philanthropist Bill Gates and his wife Melinda co-chair the Gates Foundation looking to combat infectious diseases, ensure more children survive and thrive and empower the poor, especially women and girls. Gates is the 14th speaker of the prestigious Nelson Mandela Lecture that this year is delivered the day before what would have been the late former South African President'Äôs birthday. EFE/EPA/CORNELL TUKIRI15 de 17 | HOL34 PARÍS (FRANCIA) 11/07/2016.- El presidente de Francia, Francois Hollande (d), y su homólogo sudafricano, Jacob Zuma (i), escuchan una grabación de Nelson Mandela antes de ofrecer una rueda prensa en el Palacio de Elíseo, en París, Francia, hoy, 11 de julio de 2016. Zuma se encuentra de visita oficial en Francia, donde permaenecerá durante tres días. EFE/Jeremy Lempin16 de 17 | HOL33 PARÍS (FRANCIA) 11/07/2016.- El presidente de Francia, Francois Hollande (d), y su homólogo sudafricano, Jacob Zuma (i), escuchan una grabación de Nelson Mandela antes de ofrecer una rueda prensa tras la celebración de una reunión en el Palacio de Elíseo, en París, Francia, hoy, 11 de julio de 2016. Zuma se encuentra de visita oficial en Francia, donde permaenecerá durante tres días. EFE/Jeremy Lempin17 de 17 | . Pretoria (South Africa), 17/07/2016.- US businessman and philanthropist, Bill Gates, arrives at the 14th annual Nelson Mandela Lecture, held at the University of Pretoria, Mamelodi Campus, South Africa. 17 July 2016. Gates and his wife Melinda co-chair the Gates Foundation looking to combat infectious diseases, ensure more children survive and thrive and empower the poor, especially women and girls. Gates is the 14th speaker of the prestigious Nelson Mandela Lecture that this year is delivered the day before what would have been the late former South African President'Äôs birthday. EFE/EPA/CORNELL TUKIRI
