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If information and knowledge are central to democracy, they are the conditions for development.

Kofi Annan

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Kofi Annan
Age: 80 †
Born: 1938
Born: April 8
Died: 2018
Died: August 18
Diplomat
Economist
Politician
Coomassie
Kofi Atta Annan
Annan
Kofi A. Annan
Central
Development
Conditions
Progress
Information
Democracy
Knowledge

More quotes by Kofi Annan

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...there is no tool for development more effective than the empowerment of women.
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I don't see a situation where one side will win militarily, take over Syria, and there will be peace and quiet, a clean victory.
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I was an ordinary boy at school, a young man. In fact, what did the headmaster once say? You're constantly challenging those in authority questioning and challenging those in authority. Which was not really the way I saw it. I felt there were questions that had to be answered, and things that weren't quite right.
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The global HIV/AIDS epidemic is an unprecedented crisis that requires an unprecedented response. In particular it requires solidarity - between the healthy and the sick, between rich and poor, and above all, between richer and poorer nations. We have 30 million orphans already. How many more do we have to get, to wake up?
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Reform is a process, and not an event.
Kofi Annan
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I did not always achieve what I set out to do. Nevertheless, my personal example certainly suggests that hands-on experience can be helpful to future leaders.
Kofi Annan
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On this International Day of Peace, let us dare to imagine a world free of conflict and violence
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I think the US and UK thought if they gave a bit more time to Israel, they would crush Hezbollah. But it became very obvious that was an unwinnable war.
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Most people forget that even in Iraq, by the time the air and no-fly zone was established, the air defence system had been removed through the first Gulf war. All of them had been neutralised.
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In the rush for justice it is important not to lose sight of principles the country holds dear.
Kofi Annan
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After the end of the cold war, everybody thought, fantastic, finally the UN may be able to do what it was originally set up to do without big power divisions. It would be easy to get them to come together to resolve things. You will recall, on the first Gulf war, you almost got a unanimous resolution and a very solid coalition.
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We tend to look at countries in terms of failed states and functioning states, which is rather simplistic.
Kofi Annan
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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.
Kofi Annan
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Education is, quite simply, peace-building by another name. It is the most effective form of defense spending there is.
Kofi Annan
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The young and dynamic and idealistic people in the square do not have the chance to organise themselves politically, to be able to follow through their dreams in six months time, to play an effective role in the future.
Kofi Annan
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Like any large organisation, public or private, the UN is a complex machine.
Kofi Annan
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Have confidence in the young people, give them a chance, and they will surprise you.
Kofi Annan
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I have always believed that on important issues, the leaders must lead. Where the leaders fail to lead, and people are really concerned about it, the people will take the lead and make the leaders follow.
Kofi Annan
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Elections with integrity are a challenge everywhere, including in the West.
Kofi Annan
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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
Kofi Annan