Ignorance and prejudice are the handmaidens of propaganda. Our mission, therefore, is to confront ignorance with knowledge, bigotry with tolerance, and isolation with the outstretched hand of generosity. Racism can, will, and must be defeated.
Literacy is a bridge from misery to hope.
We may have different religions, different languages, different colored skin, but we all belong to one human race.
We need to think of the future and the planet we are going to leave to our children and their children.
When women thrive, all of society benefits, and succeeding generations are given a better start in life.
Education is a human right with immense power to transform. On its foundation rest the cornerstones of freedom, democracy and sustainable human development.
I am not afraid to dream. You first have to start with a dream. Build your castles in the air and give it foundation. Without a dream, you are not going to get anywhere.
Education is, quite simply, peace-building by another name. It is the most effective form of defense spending there is.
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.
No one is born a good citizen or a good democrat or a good leader; it takes time and education.
It is impossible to realize our goals while discriminating against half the human race. As study after study has taught us, there is no tool for development more effective than the empowerment of women.
We shall not defeat any of the infectious diseases that plague the developing world until we have also won the battle for safe drinking water, sanitation, and basic health care.
The United Nations, whose membership comprises almost all the states in the world, is founded on the principle of the equal worth of every human being.
We have the means and the capacity to deal with our problems, if only we can find the political will.
Microfinance recognizes that poor people are remarkable reservoirs of energy and knowledge, posing an untapped opportunity to create markets, bring people in from the margins and give them the tools with which to help themselves.