„Mir nije samo odsutnost sukoba; mir je stvaranje okruženja u kojem svi mogu napredovati, bez obzira na rasu, boju kože, vjeroispovijest, religiju, spol, klasu, kastu ili bilo koje druge društvene razlike. Religija, etnička pripadnost, jezik, društvene i kulturne prakse elementi su koji obogaćuju ljudsku civilizaciju, doprinoseći bogatstvu naše raznolikosti. Zašto bismo im dopustili da budu uzrokom podjela i nasilja? Ponižavamo našu zajedničku ljudskost dopuštajući da se to dogodi.“

Nelson Mandela

Bio je to jedan od najpoznatijih citata, koji opisuje njegove vrijednosti i spaja rad i životne borbe.

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela postao je jedan od najpriznatijih državnika i mirotvoraca našeg vremena. Bio je inspiracija mnogim drugim aktivistima za ljudska prava, posebno tijekom njegovog rada kao odvjetnika za ljudska prava, zatvorenika savjesti i prvog demokratski izabranog predsjednika slobodne Južne Afrike. Za vrijeme apartheida – tadašnjeg sustava rasne diskriminacije – bio je jedan od najistaknutijih boraca za ljudska prava. Zbog svog aktivizma proveo je 27 godina u zatvoru, ali nije promijenio svoje vrijednosti i životne ciljeve. Mandela se zalagao za rasnu jednakost i poboljšanje položaja najsiromašnijih i nerazvijenih društvenih skupina kao jedan od glavnih ciljeva čovječanstva.

Nelson Mandela pušten je iz zatvora 1990. nakon mnogo godina. Godine 1993. dodijeljena mu je Nobelova nagrada.  Sljedeće godine, u proljeće 1994., održani su prvi opći izbori u Južnoafričkoj Republici koji su baš svim stanovnicima dali puno pravo glasa. Postao je prvi afroamerički predsjednik Južnoafričke Republike. To je bilo nevjerojatno važno jer je Mandela bio prvi afroamerički predsjenik koji je vodio zemlju s afroameričkom većinom.

U svojih 95 godina Nelson Mandela održao je brojne govore o ljudskim pravima i borbi za mir i pravdu, pokrećući globalne napore u rješavanju sukoba, rasnih odnosa, u promicanju i zaštiti socijalne pravde.

Međunarodni dan Nelsona Mandele ustanovila je Opća skupština UN-a u studenom 2009. godine rezolucijom 64/13. Obilježava se svake godine na njegov rođendan.

U prosincu 2015. Opća skupština Ujedinjenih naroda odlučila je proširiti opseg Međunarodnog dana Nelsona Mandele i iskoristiti ga za promicanje humanih uvjeta u zatvoru, za podizanje svijesti da su zatvorenici sastavni dio društva i priznavanje važnosti zatvorskog osoblja kao socijalne služba od posebnog značaja. UN predlaže da ta pravila nose naziv "Pravila Nelsona Mandele" kao znak poštovanja prema njegovoj ostavštini, kao i sjećanje na 27 godina koje je proveo u zatvoru boreći se za ljudska prava.

Svake godine na Dan Nelsona Mandele održavaju se razna događanja u UN-ovim informacijskim centrima i političkim institucijama diljem svijeta. Obično se održavaju debate i čitanja, projekcije filma "Unconquered" o južnoafričkom predsjedniku, koncerti, te fotografske ili povijesne izložbe.

UN se također pridružuje Zakladi Nelsona Mandele u njenom pozivu svakoj osobi na svijetu da odvoji 67 minuta - jednu minutu za svaku godinu Mandeline javne službe - kako bi pomogla drugima da učine nešto lijepo i važno na ovaj dan. Na primjer, pomoći onima koji su ugroženi, raditi s djecom, brinuti se o okolišu, ili volontirati i pomoći u dobrotvorne svrhe.

„Današnjoj omladini također želim: Budite scenaristi svoje sudbine i istaknite se kao zvijezde koje pokazuju put prema svjetlijoj budućnosti.“

Nelson Mandela

 

 

 

 

 

 

“Peace is not just the absence of conflict; peace is the creation of an environment where all can flourish, regardless of race, color, creed, religion, gender, class, caste, or any other social markers of difference. Religion, ethnicity, language, social and cultural practices are elements which enrich human civilization, adding to the wealth of our diversity. Why should they be allowed to become a cause of division and violence? We demean our common humanity by allowing that to happen.”

Nelson Mandela

 

That was one of the most known quotes, which describe his values and combines the work and lifelong struggles of his life.

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela has become one of the most recognized statesman and peacemakers of our time. His work as a Human Rights lawyer, prisoner of conscience, and the first democratically elected president of a free South Africa was inspiration for many other human rights activists around the world. During apartheid – system of racial discrimination at that time - he was one of the most prominent human rights activists. Because of his activism he spent 27 years in prison but didn’t change his values and life goals. Mandela advocated for racial equality and improving the situation of the poorest and underdeveloped social groups as one of the main goals for humanity.

In 1990 Mandela was released from prison after all these years. And in 1993 was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. The following year, in the spring of 1994, the first general elections in South Africa were held granting full voting rights to all the inhabitants of the multi-racial and multi-ethnic country. He became the first black president of the Republic of South Africa. And it was incredibly important since Mandela was the first black man leading the country with black majority.

In his 95 years Nelson Mandela made countless speeches about Human Rights and fights for peace and justice, driving forward global efforts in conflict resolution, race relations, the promotion and protection of social justice.

Nelson Mandela International Day was established by the UN General Assembly in November 2009 through resolution 64/13. It is observed annually on July 18, his birthday.

In December 2015, the United Nations General Assembly decided to expand the scope of Nelson Mandela International Day and also use it to promote humanistic conditions of imprisonment, to raise awareness that prisoners are an integral part of society, and to acknowledge the importance of prison staff as a social service of particular importance. The UN suggests that these rules should carry the name "The Nelson Mandela Rules" as a mark of respect for his legacy, as well as a remembrance of 27 years he spend in prison while fighting for human rights.

Every year on Nelson Mandela Day various events are held at the UN Information Centers and political institutions around the world. There are usually held debates and readings, screenings of the film "Unconquered" about the South African President, concerts, and set photographic or historical exhibits.

The UN also joins the Nelson Mandela Foundation in its call to every person in the world to take 67 minutes - one minute for each year of Mandela's public service - to help others to do something kind and important on this day. For example, to help the disadvantaged, to work with a child, to take care of the environment, or to volunteer and help with charities.

"To the youth of today, I also have a wish to make: Be the script writers of your destiny and feature yourselves as stars that showed the way towards a brighter future."

Nelson Mandela