Congratulations

Two men have been ushered into high profile positions in recent days, and both are worth noting.

Dr. Muhammad Yunus and his organisation, the Grameen Bank, were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize last week. I'm excited about that. It's fantastic to see the recognition for a man who has made a real impact on poverty in his country of Bangladesh, and who has been an inspiration for many campaigns against poverty around the world through microfinance. It's also wonderful that the people who made the decision to honour him recognised that the fight against poverty is a battle worth waging, and that overcoming poverty brings peace.

This is an extract from the Nobel Prize announcement:

The Norwegian Nobel Committee has decided to award the Nobel Peace Prize for 2006, divided into two equal parts, to Muhammad Yunus and Grameen Bank for their efforts to create economic and social development from below. Lasting peace cannot be achieved unless large population groups find ways in which to break out of poverty. Micro-credit is one such means. Development from below also serves to advance democracy and human rights.

The whole announcement is a very inspiring read.


The second man to be recognised - and given huge responsibility - in recent days is Ban Ki-Moon, who has been elected to be the new Secretary General of the United Nations, starting Jan 1 next year.

"The true measure of success for the UN is not how much we promise, but how much we deliver for those who need us most," Mr Ban said.

"The UN is needed now more than ever before," he added.

Mr Ban cited poverty, HIV/Aids, environmental degradation, protecting human rights and combating terrorism among his priorities.

He's got a big job ahead of him!