Timothy Wirth & Fund Chair Evelyn LeopoldThe Dag Hammarskjöld Scholarship Fund for Journalists presented its Inspiration Award to Timothy E. Wirth, president of the U.N. Foundation and the Better World Fund, at its annual luncheon on Oct. 23, the 47th year the Fund brought journalists from developing nations to cover the UN General Assembly. Guest of Honor was Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
Secretary-General with 2008 FellowsThe Fund is managed on a voluntary basis by correspondents accredited to the United Nations, who raise funds from U.N. missions, foundations, corporations and individuals. Initiated in 1962, the Fund was established as a memorial to Dag Hammarskjöld, the second U.N. secretary-general, killed in a plane crash in September 1961 en route to negotiate a cease-fire in the Congo.
Mr. Wirth holds an idealist vision -- without illusion -- that complements the work of United Nations and Dag Hammarskjöld himself. He is known for his fearless and creative advocacy for peace, human rights, women's opportunities and the environment, as well as shepherding the U.N. Foundation since Ted Turner created it a decade ago. Mr. Wirth’s impassioned views about global warming date back to at least 1987 when, as a U.S. senator from Colorado, he was one of the first lawmakers to be concerned about climate change.
"The Dag Hammarskjold Scholarship Fund … what a wonderful thing to bring these young journalists here ... to bring new ideas. You're getting something out of this, but I am absolutely convinced the U.N. gets a great deal out of your being here," Mr. Wirth told the 200 luncheon guests.
"Listen to the four young journalists who spoke to us this afternoon … on climate change, maternal mortality, women's empowerment, malaria and the Millennium Development Goals. These are in many ways the new issues of the United Nations," Mr. Wirth said
Pictures from the luncheon are here.
Streaming video from the event can be found here (Requires Real Player).
Photos from the Fellows' US visit are here.
All photos ©Javier Zapata
