Web Sites: Sergio Vieira de Mello Foundation

Why I am recommending Peace Jam:

Sergio Vieira de Mello was a true humanitarian. His life was a continuous demonstration of the meaning of true compassion. He was dedicated to human rights around the world and he will be remembered as a great leader whose life ended far too soon and whose legacy lives on in the work of his foundation.

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From the Website:

August 19, 2003 was a sad day for the United Nations and all those who believe that peace and security can be achieved through dialogue and international cooperation. On that fateful day, Sergio Vieira de Mello and 21 of his UN colleagues and associates fell victims of one of the first of a long series of violent acts that have characterized the Iraq war.

With Sergio Vieira de Mello's cruel disappearance, the world has lost a brilliant and charismatic advocate of peace and human rights but also a tireless and highly effective humanitarian leader. He represented the best the UN could offer in terms of promoting multilateral solutions to many of today's world challenging global crises. He remains an example for many to emulate.

His brutal death provoked an outburst of sympathy and many testimonies of high appreciation and deep regret for his untimely loss. In acknowledgement of this wide movement and to honor his memory, pursue his ideals and continue his unfinished mission, the Sergio Vieira de Mello Foundation has been established in Geneva (Switzerland), at the initiative of a small group of colleagues, friends and family.

Purpose

Dedicated to promoting dialogue for the peaceful resolution of conflict, the Sergio Vieira de Mello Foundation has been established as an international entity under Swiss law to continue Sergio’s mission and fulfill his vision through:

• An Annual Prize in his name awarded to individuals, institutions or communities in recognition of their outstanding and unique work undertaken to achieve peaceful reconciliation between peoples and parties in conflict.
• An Annual Memorial Lecture in collaboration with the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva (HEID) on or around 15 March.
• A Fellowship in Sergio’s name to be awarded to a selected number of outstanding young people whose parents or family members were victims of humanitarian crises resulting from armed conflict.
• Supporting initiatives and efforts that promote peaceful reconciliation and co-existence between peoples and communities divided by conflict.
• Advocating for the security and independence of humanitarian actors, wherever they may be operating and whomever they may work for.

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