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Quote by Kofi Annan

“You need younger men in Africa, men and women in African politics.”

Quote by Kofi Annan

Author

Kofi Annan, born on April 8, 1938, is an accomplished diplomat. He served in various significant roles at the United Nations, culminating in his tenure as the seventh Secretary-General. Known for his contributions to peace and security, Annan was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. more

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“I think the generational change is going to be so important for Africa that we really should encourage and push it as much as we can, because some of these younger men and women, who are men and women of their times, and are also connected to the rest of the world, wouldn't even know how to behave in the way some of the old leaders do.”

Thinking Knows Men World Way Should Important Leader Know How Men And Women Connected Behave

Author:Kofi Annan

“I can't think of a 30- or 40-year-old who can behave like Mugabe. They wouldn't even know where to begin, and given their own educational exposure, I think it will be very positive for Africa.”

Thinking Knows Years I Can Given Educational Behave Exposure Very Positive Mugabe

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“There was a time, with the Berlin Wall down, that [it looked as if] the UN finally could do what it was set up to do, the rivalry between the two camps would dissipate, and we could all co-operate. And then, of course, Iraq came and blew it all apart. These upheavals will always take place in the world, and the design and construct of the UN ideally should be such that it can deal with these upheavals, and possibly influence them, and survive and thrive, but it doesn't work out that way, because as an organisation we are so dependent on the same member states.”

Ifs World Way Should Two States Courses Deals Influence Design Wall Members Iraq Work Out Dependent Thrive Camps Constructs Berlin Organisation Places In The World Rivalry Upheaval Berlin Wall

Author:Kofi Annan

“I spent my youth and my most formative years in Africa. I left Africa when I was about 20, 21, and when Mo says a great African, I was really moulded by my African experience, although I had the good fortune that by the time I was 24 I had studied and worked on three continents - Africa, the US, and Europe.”

Years Three Left Youth Europe Fortune Continents Good Fortune Formative Years

Author:Kofi Annan

“A hungry mind is not free, and I felt if we were really going to make a difference and fight poverty we should at least start with the ability to feed ourselves, and the millions of Africans who don't have it.”

Ifs Should Mind Fighting Felt Differences Ability Poverty Millions Hungry Making A Difference

Author:Kofi Annan

“I think we can make a difference in the lives of the poor, and the millions.”

Thinking Differences Poor Millions Making A Difference

Author:Kofi Annan

“However much one tries to suppress the will of the people they eventually will have the last word.”

People Trying Lasts Last Words

Author:Kofi Annan

“I was an ordinary boy at school, a young man. In fact, what did the headmaster once say? "You're constantly challenging those in authority; questioning and challenging those in authority." Which was not really the way I saw it. I felt there were questions that had to be answered, and things that weren't quite right.”

Men Way Facts School Young Felt Challenges Boys Saws Authority Ordinary Young Man Questioning Headmasters

Author:Kofi Annan

“We had a rule in the school that when you're punished, you carry out the punishment and then complain, which I felt was absolutely unfair: if I'd done it, what was the point of complaining?”

Ifs Done School Felt Complaining Punishment Unfair

Author:Kofi Annan

“I think over time you learn to know a bit more about yourself - you develop a certain amount of self-insight and self-awareness, and you know what you can absorb, and what you cannot; what gets to you and what doesn't.”

Thinking Knows Self Certain Bits Awareness Amount Self Awareness Insight About Yourself

Author:Kofi Annan