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We have seen in the past where leaders have not been open-minded or have not been flexible. That's why the people came out to the streets and shouted and chanted for more reforms and more freedoms.

Ban Ki-moon

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Ban Ki-moon
Age: 80
Born: 1944
Born: June 13
Diplomat
Politician
Ban Kimoon
Ban Ki Moon
People
Reform
Leaders
Streets
Chanted
Leader
Shouted
Seen
Reforms
Open
Freedoms
Came
Flexible
Past
Minded

More quotes by Ban Ki-moon

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Saving our planet, lifting people out of poverty, advancing economic growth... these are one and the same fight. We must connect the dots between climate change, water scarcity, energy shortages, global health, food security and women's empowerment. Solutions to one problem must be solutions for all.
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Millions of people in nearly 80 countries still live in fear of landmines and explosive remnants of war, which take an unacceptable toll on lives and limbs, and people's livelihoods
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You have to take ownership and leadership of tomorrow. For that to be possible, you have to strengthen your capacity and widen your vision as a global citizen.
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It is only natural that people's wishes and aspirations should be realized by the leaders of the region. As this wind of change blows, it is up to the leaders to seize this opportunity to look for the better future for their own people through bold reforms before it is too late, before the people are forced to take action.
Ban Ki-moon
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We must unite. Violence against women cannot be tolerated, in any form, in any context, in any circumstance, by any political leader or by any government.
Ban Ki-moon
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It has been said that knowledge is power. We need to strengthen education systems so that young people can benefit from cultural diversity, and not be victimized by those who exploit differences.
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Saving our planet, lifting people out of poverty, advancing economic growth – these are one and the same fight.
Ban Ki-moon
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I am not a national leader. If I am a national leader I can speak out all that I want.
Ban Ki-moon
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People everywhere look to the United States to use its remarkable power to help lift humanity up and to work for the common good.
Ban Ki-moon
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The power of the leader is given to him by the people, so he has a duty to engage and listen more attentively and carefully to the aspirations of the people.
Ban Ki-moon
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Extreme weather events continue to grow more frequent and intense in rich and poor countries alike, not only devastating lives, but also infrastructure, institutions, and budgets - an unholy brew which can create dangerous security vacuums.
Ban Ki-moon
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Reason doesn't mean very much in a country like North Korea.
Ban Ki-moon
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One of the main lessons I have learned during my five years as Secretary-General is that broad partnerships are the key to solving broad challenges. When governments, the United Nations, businesses, philanthropies and civil society work hand-in-hand, we can achieve great things.
Ban Ki-moon
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One of my earliest memories is walking up a muddy road into the mountains. It was raining. Behind me, my village was burning. When there was school, it was under a tree. Then the United Nations came. They fed me, my family, my community.
Ban Ki-moon
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The international community cannot accept that whole communities are marginalized because of the color of their skin. People of African descent are among those most affected by racism. Too often, they face denial of basic rights such as access to quality health services and education. Such fundamental wrongs have a long and terrible history.
Ban Ki-moon
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Climate change, demographics, water, food, energy, global health, women's empowerment - these issues are all intertwined. We cannot look at one strand in isolation. Instead, we must examine how these strands are woven together.
Ban Ki-moon
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Achieving gender equality requires the engagement of women and men, girls and boys. It is everyones responsibility.
Ban Ki-moon
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Men must teach each other that real men do not violate or oppress women - and that a woman's place is not just in the home or the field, but in schools and offices and boardrooms.
Ban Ki-moon
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World military spending has now risen to over $1.2 trillion. This incredible sum represents 2.5 per cent of GDP (global gross domestic product). Even if 1 per cent of it were redirected towards development, the world would be much closer to achieving the Millennium Development Goals.
Ban Ki-moon
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Let us take advantage of the opportunities presented by climate action and lay the foundations for a more prosperous and secure future for all
Ban Ki-moon