As people around the world mourned the passing of
former South African President Nelson Mandela, who died on Thursday night, the
words of UNESCO’s Director-General Irina Bokova struck a particular chord.
“Nelson Mandela was truly a giant among men,” Bokova
said. “He not only changed South Africa’s history, he changed the world and
made it a better place. He taught us all a lesson on the power of peace and reconciliation;
the importance of forgiveness and respect for the dignity of each and every
human being.”
The head of the United Nations’ cultural agency
continued: “The greatest tribute we can pay him, is to carry on his message of
hope and to continue his fierce defense of the values he stood for.”
