WORLD ACADEMY OF INFORMATICS AND MANAGEMENT SCIENCES
ISSN : 2278-1315
But since Annan's first brush with activism, the tools and
After his service as UN Secretary-General, Annan took up
methods of the trade have evolved; social values now seep
residence in Geneva and worked in a leading capacity on
into seemingly separate life goals for youth.
various international humanitarian endeavors.
Annan adds that social change isn't just about signing
KOFI ANNAN FOUNDATION
petitions or volunteering free time, but can now be
In 2007, Annan established the Kofi Annan Foundation, an
integrated into work and home life. Youth can also influence
independent, not-for-profit organization that works to promote
change in the corporate world. By making conscious daily
better global governance and strengthen the capacities of
decisions about how they consume, young people can
people and countries to achieve a fairer, more peaceful world.
inspire a shift in lifestyle and spending habits that supports
The organisation was founded on the principles that fair and
socially conscious companies. Recognizing the need for
peaceful societies rest on three pillars: Peace and Security,
businesses to create positive social impact from within,
Sustainable Development, and Human Rights and the Rule of
Annan says youth also have a role here; as employees and
Law, and they have made it their mission to mobilise the
budding entrepreneurs.
leadership and the political resolve needed to tackle threats to
Studies show Millennials (born between 1980 and 2000) are
these three pillars ranging from violent conflict to flawed
primed to do good and do it well, even at work. A
elections and climate change, with the aim of achieving a
Millennial Branding study found that 72 per cent want to
fairer, more peaceful world. The Foundation provides the
have a job that makes an impact. In her 2010 study, Meet the
analytical, communication and co-ordination capacities
Millennials, author Leigh Buchanon found almost 70 per
needed to ensure that these objectives are achieved. Annan's
cent of youth cite giving back and being civically engaged
contribution to peace worldwide is delivered through
as high priorities for their personal achievement.
mediation, political mentoring, advocacy and advice. Through
Annan feels confident leaving the world's problems with the
his engagement, Annan aimed to strengthen local and
next cohort, who will organize as a collective force, engage
international conflict resolution capabilities. The Foundation
as global citizens and make conscious choices as consumers.
provides the analytical and logistical support to facilitate this
"It's your world now," Annan advised, coming to the close
in co-operation with relevant local, regional and international
of his We Day speech. "Conversations I've had with you
actors. The Foundation works mainly through private
make me trust and believe that you can make this world a
diplomacy, where Annan provided informal counsel and
better place. So go out and do it".
participated in discreet diplomatic initiatives to avert or
Brothers Craig and Marc Kielburger founded a platform for
resolve crises by applying his experience and inspirational
social change that includes the international charity, Free
leadership. He was often asked to intercede in crises,
The Children, the social enterprise, Me to We, and the youth
sometimes as an impartial independent mediator, sometimes
empowerment movement, We Day.
as a special envoy of the international community. In recent
FAREWELL ADDRESSES
years he had provided such counsel to Burkina Faso, Kenya,
On 19 September 2006, Annan gave a farewell address to
Myanmar, Senegal, Iraq and Colombia.
world leaders gathered at the UN headquarters in New York,
in anticipation of his retirement on 31 December. In the
KENYA
NATIONAL
DIALOGUE
AND
speech he outlined three major problems of "an unjust world
RECONCILIATION PROCESS (KNDR)
economy, world disorder, and widespread contempt for
Following the outbreak of violence during the 2007
human rights and the rule of law", which he believed "have
Presidential elections in Kenya, the African Union established
not resolved, but sharpened" during his time as Secretary-
a Panel of Eminent African Personalities to assist in finding a
General. He also pointed to violence in Africa which is
peaceful solution to the crisis.
clearly the new dawn in today’s Africa and the Arab–Israeli
The panel, headed by Annan, managed to convince the two
conflict as two major issues warranting attention.
principal parties to the conflict, President Mwai Kibaki's Party
On 11 December 2006, in his final speech as Secretary-
of National Unity (PNU) and Raila Odinga’s Orange
General, delivered at the Harry S. Truman Presidential
Democratic Movement (ODM), to participate in the Kenya
Library in Independence, Missouri, Annan recalled
National Dialogue and Reconciliation Process (KNDR). Over
Truman's leadership in the founding of the United Nations.
the course of 41 days of negotiations, several agreements
He called for the United States to return to President
regarding taking actions to stop the violence and remedying
Truman's multilateralist foreign policies, and to follow
its consequences were signed. On 28 February, President
Truman's credo that "the responsibility of the great states is
Mwai Kibaki and Raila Odinga signed a coalition government
to serve and not dominate the peoples of the world". He also
agreement.
said that the United States must maintain its commitment to
JOINT SPECIAL ENVOY FOR SYRIA
human rights, "including in the struggle against terrorism".
On 23 February 2012, Annan was appointed as the UN-Arab
POST-UN CAREER
League envoy to Syria, in an attempt to end the civil war
taking place. He developed a six-point plan for peace:
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