Today´s Diplomacy - Re-defined through the life and work of outstanding people

World leaders, diplomats and those who help make life better for others, often less privileged, powerless or forgotten about in remote parts of our world, need to be appreciated. Recognising their achievements today will help increase their efforts tomorrow. Chris K Dankwa

Welcome to Diplomacy Watch. The ´Outstanding Presidents and Diplomats´ Column is about world leaders, career diplomats and those who use their status or wealth to help make our world a better place. Examples include helping to achieve peace, security, shelter, improved health conditions, economic or social well-being, all of which is done through peaceful and respectul means.

Most people who became ´outstanding diplomats´ were not trained as diplomats but they all used diplomacy and worked hard for years to help make parts of the world a better place.

Today´s Diplomacy requires abundant humility and selflessness, a big dose of goodwill, a stronger commitment and a greater sense of urgency for peace and unity. Great diplomacy is humble, unifying, efficient, effective, judicious, sensitive, focused, inclusive, fair, timely and enduring. Its even special if it prevents the loss of lives and general suffering. 
Chris K Dankwa (Director, Diplomacy Watch)  (www.diplomacywatch.com)

His Excellency Annan Cato of Ghana has been instrumental in uplifting the image of Africa throughout his career as one of Africa´s most renowned diplomats. Read his views on Ghana´s Emerging Future Foreign Policy.President Mubarak of Egypt - has consistently been engaged in active diplomatic efforts for the past 30 years, especially in the Israeli Palestinian conflct.President Nicolas Sarkozy of France - stands out as an European leader that has been very active in world diplomacy efforts in relation to conflict resolution. Notably are his role in helping broker a ceasefire and a peace agreement in Russia´s war with Georgia in 2008 and Israel´s war with Hamas in Gaza which ended in January 2009.Lady Diana Spencer, Princess of Wales - her genuine and warm affection for people from all over the world, and her down-to-earth approach made her one of the best ´Goodwill Ambassadors´, and the ´people´s princess´.Nelson Mandella, First democratic South African President - he harboured no bitterness, despite being imprisoned for 27 years for his beliefs in equal rights for all South Africans. He was and continues to be a unifier and a bridge to peaceful co-existance of both black and white South Africans and adored all over the world.Mother Teresa of Culcutta - Born in Yugoslavia, educated in Paris, worked and lived in the slums of India - she once said, ´Before you speak, it is necessary for you to listen, for God speaks in the silence of the heart . . .´ an example of a true saint who gave all she had and all she was to help and support the weary and the poor. Even in his old age, she campaigned tirelessly around the world, lobbying world leaders to do more for the poor amongst us in the world.When 100 historians were asked to rate American Presidents, Abraham Lincoln was number 1. He´s famous for having created the union which became the United States of America. He ordered the freeing of slaves in America and proclaimed his belief that all men are born equal. He has been called ´The Great Emancipator´. Despite his wisdom and his power as President, he was down-to-earth and well liked and know as an ordinary human being. It is said that he used to dance in his office at the Whitehouse with his son on his shoulders. He was also famous for his speeches...´malice towards none, charity for all..´. He was also a very merciful president, who would stand for the shooting of youngsters who fell asleep at their post. He just could not accept youngsters who deserted their post or fell asleep to be shot by the army. He pardoned many of them, despite the protest of his generals. In one such example, a mother in tears, pleaded with him to spare his young son, a farm boy who was used to going to sleep at sundown and rising at sunrise. The boy therefore naturally fell asleep at midnight at his post. He was to be shot, as punishment, for his offence. Lincoln wrote on a piece of paper to his generals. ´Do not shoot the boy until you hear from me´. ´Tell the mother to give this to the war department´. When the mother heard that, she went back to Lincoln and cried... ´i did not ask for a delay in the execution, but a pardon´. ´Mother´, replied President Lincoln, ´if they don´t shoot your son until they hear from me, he will live to be older than Methusa´. He is also said to be the most written about person, besides the Bible and Shakespear.Kofi Annan, Former UN Secretary-General - helped significantly reform the UN and its responsiveness in dealing with international crisesHe was a Baptist Minister or clergyman. He was one of the youngest civil rights activist in his time, leading the 1955 Montgomery Bus Boycott in America and, helped found the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in 1957, serving as its first president. His most remembered accomplishment was when he led the 1963 March on Washington, where millions of people, black and white, heard him deliver his “I Have a Dream” speech. That speech raised public awareness of the civil rights movement which also helped in establishing him as one of the greatest orators in the history of the U.S. King became the youngest person to receive the Nobel Peace Prize, in 1964. This was for his work to end racial discrimination and racial segregation through the use of civil disobedience and other non-violent means. Before his death in 1968, he had succeeded in refocusing his efforts on bringing an end to poverty as well as the opposing of the Vietnam War, through the use of his Christian religion. His main legacy was to secure progress on civil rights in the United States and he is seem in today´s world as one of the most renowned human rights icons. Although he was assassinated in 4 April 1968, he was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1977 and Congressional Gold Medal in 2004. Also, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day was established as a U.S. national holiday in 1986.His real name is Paul David Hewson, from Glasnevin, Dublin, Ireland. He is however better known by his stage name Bono, whilst the main vocalist of the Irish rock band U2. Bono was born and raised in Dublin, Ireland. He is a music legend but said to be more widely known for his activism concerning Africa, for which he co-founded DATA. He for many years, both organized and played in several benefit concerts. He has actively lobbyed and campaigned for better conditions for the majority of the world´s disadvantaged people. His influence on politicians has been one of the most remarkable. He is arguably one of the most influential musicians in the world who has and continues to use his talents in music and his fame to promote the concept of Goodwill Ambassador for a better world. He is a co-founder of the ONE Campaign, Product Red and EDUN. Despite the mixture of praises and criticisms for his activism and involvement with U2, he was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, granted an honorary knighthood by Queen Elizabeth II of the UK, and named as a Person of the Year by Time. He has also received many other awards and nomination over the years.The Bill and Melinda Foundation is one channel by which Bill Gates, the richest man in the world, has been giving his wealth to help fight some of the health problems in developing countries.Unedited - Oprah Gail Winfrey (born January 29, 1954) is an American television presenter, media mogul and philanthropist. Her internationally-syndicated talk show, The Oprah Winfrey Show, has earned her multiple Emmy Awards and is the highest-rated talk show in the history of television.[2] She is also an influential book critic, an Academy Award nominated actress, and a magazine publisher. She has been ranked the richest African American of the 20th century,[3] the most philanthropic African American of all time,[4] and was once the world´s only black billionaire. She is also, according to some assessments, the most influential woman in the world.Mohandas Karamcham Gandhi (Mahatma Gandhi) Founder of Non Violence Movement, Founder of Independent India, 1869 - 1948. His legacy lives on.“For the millions of children whose voices are not being heard, let us commit to take a stand, and take a step, and make real strides for child survival and education.” - HRH Queen Rania. Her Majesty Queen Rania Al-Abdullah of Jordan, an ardent and outspoken advocate for the world’s children, was appointed UNICEF’s first Eminent Advocate for Children in January 2007.

The world needs you. Please get involved as a Goodwill Ambassador or Vote for someone who deserves appreciation, or simply Make a Wish, Offer your service or time, or Grant a Wish that benefits a deprived community in our world. Thank you.