2. MESSENGERS OF PEACE
The United Nations Messengers of
Peace are distinguished individuals,
carefully selected from the fields of art,
literature, music and sports, who have
agreed to help focus worldwide
attention on the work of the United
Nations.
3. The Messengers of Peace, through
their public appearances, contacts with
the international media and
humanitarian work, help expand
understanding of how the ideals and
objectives of the Organization demand
everyone’s attention.
5. Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein of
Jordan
Designated as a United Nations Messenger
of Peace in September 2007, Her Royal
Highness Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein is
known for her commitment to humanitarian
causes. She also served as a Goodwill
Ambassador for the World Food Programme
from 2005 to 2007. Princess Haya is the first
Arab woman to compete in equestrian events
at the continental, world and Olympic levels
and is now a member of the International
Olympic Committee.
6. Princess Haya Bint Al Hussein of
Jordan
HRH Princess Haya has worked to promote
health, education and sports issues among
youth in the Arab and Muslim world. She is
dedicated to helping raise global awareness
of the Millennium Development Goals,
including the eradication of extreme poverty
and hunger. rincess Haya joined Secretary-
General Ban Ki-moon and a number of other
United Nations Messengers of Peace and
Goodwill Ambassadors in recording video
messages of solidarity with the people of
Japan in the wake of the 11 March
2011earthquake and tsunami.
7. Daniel Barenboim
Daniel Barenboim, acclaimed conductor and pianist,
has been a musical virtuoso since his youth when he
gave his international debut performance as a solo
pianist at age ten in Vienna and Rome. Well known
as the Music Director of the Chicago Symphony
Orchestra, a position he held from 1991 until June
2006, Mr. Barenboim has received worldwide praise
for his work with a number of other orchestras,
including the orchestra of the Berlin State Opera. In
1999, he founded together with the Palestinian
literary scholar Edward Said the West-Eastern Divan
Orchestra, which brings together young musicians
from Israel and the Arab countries to promote
dialogue and unity of purpose between the various
cultures of the Middle East.
8. Daniel Baremboim
Mr. Barenboim has initiated a project for
music education in the Palestinian
territories, including the foundation of a
music kindergarten and a Palestinian
youth orchestra. As a Messenger of
Peace he will continue to promote
peace and tolerance through the shared
language of music.
11. Eduard Norton
Edward Norton was appointed United Nations
Goodwill Ambassador for Biodiversity on 8
July 2010, making him the first Goodwill
Ambassador appointed by the Secretary-
General.
As a Goodwill Ambassador for Biodiversity,
Mr. Norton works closely with the Secretariat
of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity
to help spotlight the importance of biodiversity
to human well-being and to ensure world
leaders take appropriate measures to protect
the environment.
13. Paulo Coelho
A political activist since his youth, the Brazilian author Paulo
Coelho was designated as a United Nations Messenger of
Peace in September 2007. Paul Coelho’s best-selling books,
such as “The Alchemist” and “The Pilgrimage,” enchant readers
from around the world. He has won numerous international
awards for his works, which have been translated into more
than 65 languages. The native of Rio de Janeiro uses this global
appeal to combat poverty and help underprivileged members of
Brazilian society through his Paulo Coelho Institute. He is also
an advocate of multiculturalism through his work with UNESCO
as a Special Counselor for Intercultural Dialogues and Spiritual
Convergences. His designation as a Messenger of Peace will
allow Mr. Coelho to continue to promote intercultural dialogue.
15. Elie Wiesel
Born in the Transylvania town of Sighet, Elie Wiesel
was 15 years old when he and his family were
deported to Auschwitz. This Holocaust survivor,
Nobel Laureate, writer and human rights activist has
served as a United Nations Messenger of Peace
since 1998. Mr. Wiesel has lent his compassionate
voice to a variety of United Nations causes, such as
focusing public attention on eradicating poverty and
the atrocities occurring in the Darfur region of Sudan.
A U.S. citizen since 1963, he continues to be a vocal
advocate of human rights and world peace through
The Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity.
