OTTAWA – The Green Party of Canada wishes to mark Nelson Mandela Day on July 18th.
Every year on that date — the day Nelson Mandela was born — the United Nations joins a call by the Nelson Mandela Foundation to devote 67 minutes of time to helping others, one minute for every year of Mr. Mandela’s public service.
“Nelson Mandela devoted his life to the service of humanity. His legacy will forever inspire us,” said Green Leader Elizabeth May, Member of Parliament for Saanich-Gulf Islands.
“This year’s Mandela Day will take on a special meaning as the world sends best wishes and prayers for his recovery and release from hospital. Now more than ever, we appreciate his immeasurable contribution to the world,” said May.
Nelson Mandela stated, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” This has been dramatically emphasized by the United Nations declaration of Malala Day this week for the 16th birthday of a Pakistani teenager. In its Report, the UN noted that 57 million children around the world are not going to school. Joe Foster, Green Party Human Rights Critics urged that Canadians should press their MPs for renewed effort to prmote social justice through education, especially for girls. He remarked that this, in a small way, would show a genuine appreciation for thoselike Mandela and Malala who are willing to sacrifice their lives for a better world.
“I want to wish Mr. Mandela a happy 95th birthday. Our thoughts are with him and his family,” concluded May.
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Note: Mandela Day’s website: www.mandeladay.com.
Media Contact:
Stéphane Vigneault
Communications Coordinator, Green Party of Canada
cell: 613.614.4916