Poverty devastates families, communities and nations. It causes instability and political unrest and fuels conflict.
If tolerance, respect and equity permeate family life, they will translate into values that shape societies, nations and the world.
Acquiring literacy is an empowering process, enabling millions to enjoy access to knowledge and information which broadens horizons, increases opportunities and creates alternatives for building a better life.
If our hopes of building a better and safer world are to become more than wishful thinking, we will need the engagement of volunteers more than ever.
The happiness of any society begins with the well being of the families that live in it.
Any society that does not succeed in tapping into the energy and creativity of its youth will be left behind.
Whether our task is fighting poverty, stemming the spread of disease or saving innocent lives from mass murder, we have seen that we cannot succeed without the leadership of the strong and the engagement of all.
There is no development strategy more beneficial to society as a whole – women and men alike – than the one which involves women as central players.
In the 21st century, I believe the mission of the United Nations will be defined by a new, more profound awareness of the sanctity and dignity of every human life, regardless of race or religion.
To build a more healthy, peaceful and equitable world the classrooms of the world have to be full of girls as well as boys.
We were all children once. And we all share the desire for the well-being of our children, which has always been and will continue to be the most universally cherished aspiration of humankind.
For everyone, everywhere, literacy is, along with education in general, a basic human right.
If one is going to err, one should err on the side of liberty and freedom.
In an age where community involvement and partnerships with civil society are increasingly being recognized as indispensable, there is clearly a growing potential for cooperative development and renewal worldwide.
We will not enjoy security without development, we will not enjoy development without security, and we will not enjoy either without respect for human rights.
As one of my predecessors said, our objective is not to take people to heaven, but to prevent humanity from going to hell.
Access to a secure, safe and sufficient source of fresh water is a fundamental requirement for the survival, well-being and socio-economic development of all humanity. Yet, we continue to act as if fresh water were a perpetually abundant resource. It is not.
The world has lost a visionary leader, a courageous voice for justice, and a clear moral compass. By showing us that the path to freedom and human dignity lies in love, wisdom and compassion for one another, Nelson Mandela stands as an inspiration to us all.
Have confidence in the young people, give them a chance, and they will surprise you.
The United Nations believes that acceptance of these principles will help the Palestinian people achieve their legitimate goal of an end to occupation and the creation of an independent and viable state, living in peace and security with its neighbors.