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I often quote an African proverb that says: The world is not ours, the earth is not ours, It's a treasure we hold in trust for future generations. And I often hope we will be worthy of that trust.

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
Hope
Treasure
Often
Environmental
Earth
Worthy
World
Generations
Hold
Proverb
Trust
Sustainability
Says
Quote
Future
African

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In their greatest hour of need, the world failed the people of Rwanda.
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Contrary to popular belief, we do not face a choice between economy and ecology, It is often said that protecting the environment would constrain or even undermine economic growth. In fact, the opposite is true: unless we protect resources and the earth's natural capital, we shall not be able to sustain economic growth.
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If information and knowledge are central to democracy, they are the conditions for development.
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Globalization is a fact of life. But I believe we have underestimated its fragility.
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Intelligence can be used to manipulate.
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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.
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Neutrality is a tough call for the weaker ones.
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To build a more healthy, peaceful and equitable world the classrooms of the world have to be full of girls as well as boys.
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Knowledge is power. Information is liberating. Education is the premise of progress, in every society, in every family.
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Does anyone seriously contend that any nation can fend for itself?
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Microfinance recognizes that poor people are remarkable reservoirs of energy and knowledge
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You are never too young to lead.
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Sometimes when you take a tough action against one side in the conflict, they see you as part of the conflict and they attack you.
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You will recall that for months after 9/11, there was incredible support and sympathy for the US. I really hoped and wished they had played on that, and kept all these friends they had made, and found a way of dealing with the terrorists through co-operation of international intelligence services, police exchange of information.
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You can do a lot with diplomacy, but with diplomacy backed up by force you can get a lot more done.
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Tolerance, inter-cultural dialogue and respect for diversity are more essential than ever in a world where peoples are becoming more and more closely interconnected.
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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.
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We cannot wait for governments to do it all. Globalization operates on Internet time. Governments tend to be slow moving by nature, because they have to build political support for every step.
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On this International Literacy Day, let us recall that literacy for all is an integral part of education for all, and that both are critical for achieving truly sustainable development for all.
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We have seen recently, almost every major head of state goes to India and says, we believe India should be in the Council. They go back home and do nothing about it. But this cannot be sustained for long. If they want to keep the UN as a global forum where they discuss incidents and take some meaningful decisions, they should [reform].
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