Kofi Annan was the first African United Nations Secretary General. He came to office in 199? at a time when the United nations was under increasing pressure from various sources. Although, the UN has not been successful in all areas, Kofi Annan has been widely respected for his diplomatic and measured response to crisis situations. Despite the greatest provocations and difficulties, Kofi Annan remained calm and had an ability to look at any conflict from a detached outlook. Kofi Annan has proved to be very popular amongst UN staff. They appreciate his genuine commitment to the organisation. His devotion to the UN is widely documented and in his own words he has stressed the importance of the United Nations to the improvement of the world situation

"More than ever before in human history, we share a common destiny. We can master it only if we face it together. And that, my friends, is why we have the United Nations. "

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Kofi Annan Biography at Nobel Prize.org

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More than anyone else, Martin Luther King stood as a figure head for the civil rights movement in America. It was Martin Luther King who was able to powerfully and eloquently express the aspirations of black people. His rhetoric was also visionary, he wished not for separation of blacks and whites (as some in the black power movement wanted; Martin Luther King made it clear that blacks and whites not only could live together, but to do so was absolutely necessary for benefit of society. Despite frequent threats against his life, Martin Luther King maintained a rigorous speaking schedule encouraging others to take part in non violent protest against the inequities of effective apartheid in American society. A landmark moment in the civil rights movement came at the million man march in 196? it was here that Martin Luther King gave his famous "I have a dream speech" It brought the civil rights movement to the heart of American politics. The desire for equality and an end to separation had been powerfully elucidated and it was not possible to ignore anymore. Within a couple of years Lyndon Johnson's administration had initiated important civil rights legislation, which effectively ended decades of separation on racial grounds.

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John F Kennedy was elected at the start of a new era for American society. Elected in 1960 he was the youngest ever president; he seemed to offer a new vision and was able to inspire his fellow Americans that the American dream was a reality for all. His famous inauguration speech of 1960 included the resonant words. "Ask not what your country can do for you, rather ask what you can do for your country." This struck a deep chord with the American public, who aspired to bring to the fore the highest ideals of America. Amongst J.F.Kennedy's most important interventions was during the Cuban missile Crisis. At the time there was a real potential for a nuclear war, but through J.F.K's judicious handling a major conflict was avoided without any loss of face to the Americans. J.F.Kennedy was also instrumental in the evolution of greater equality and civil rights. Although the major civil rights legislation was implemented after his death, J.F.Kennedy made it clear that America should change its attitudes to racial discrimination. It provided an important backdrop for the later success of the civil rights movement.

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• John F. Kennedy at Whitehouse
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Nelson Mandela, once regarded by some as a terrorist, is now one of the most respected figures of the twentieth century. Nelson Mandela came to epitomise the struggle against apartheid and everything that was wrong with the old South African regime. Nelson Mandela fought to highlight the inherent injustice of the apartheid regime, and in the 1960s was sentenced to life imprisonment for his struggle against apartheid. His imprisonment became a rallying call for the opponents of apartheid, and demands for his release generated worldwide support.

Finally, after protracted negotiations, the South African regime relented and released Nelson Mandela in 1994. This enabled him to take part in negotiations, that would eventually lead to the end of apartheid and the first government elected by all. Mandela served as President for 2 terms, before retiring from politics. Mandela strived to unite South African society, in particular, he sought to avoid recriminations against the white population, which was desired by some after decades of mistreatment. His nobility and lack of resentment against those who mistreated him, helped to usher in a new fragile beginning. Without his steadying influence, the transition may have proved much more problematic.

• Biography Nelson Mandela
• Biography of Nelson Mandela at Nobel Peace Prize.org
• Nelson Mandela.org
  

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Mikhail Gorbachev was the architect of glasnost and perestroika. It was through his reforms that the grip of Communism was loosened in Eastern Europe. Through his vision, millions are now able to enjoy both political and religious freedom, that was previously denied them. Gorbachev, is not always given credit for the end of the cold war and the transformation of Communist society. However, when he came to power in 1981, there seemed little chance of the Communist party loosing its grip on power. Like Soviet leaders before him, Gorbachev, could have used his power for his own ends. However, he felt the necessity for both political and economic reform.

Very carefully, Gorbachev began dismantling the hold of the Communist party and allowing greater freedom of thought and belief. When eastern European countries announced their desire to leave the Communist block. Gorbachev did not send in tanks, like Prague 1956, instead he gave the transition his blessing. The Cold war had led the world perilously close to nuclear conflict. However, under Gorbachev the Soviet Union made real strides to reduce the arms race, through the negotiation of arms reduction treaties. By moving from a Communist dictatorship, to economic and political freedom the ideological divide between east and west narrowed, allowing an unprecedented decline in suspicion and hostility. Gorbachev will be remembered for his key role in bringing an end to the great divide between east and West, symbolised by the collapse of the Berlin wall; Gorbachev enabled a new era for both the Soviet Union and the world.

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• Mikhail Gorbachev - official site

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