Most Influential People Who Helped Curb Armed Violence

Ban Ki-Moon

Ban Ki-Moon is presently the eighth Secretary-General of the United Nations who acts as the de-facto spokesperson and leader of the UN. Before his term of office as UN Secretary-General, he had spent 37 years of his life in the South Korean foreign ministry. According to him, it was his experiences of the Korean War that had inspired him to enter public service. As such he sought to be a connecter for the poor by giving voice to the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people.

The Secretary-General had identified five important challenges in his 2012 Protection of Civilians report for making the world a safer place to live in and this included compliance with International Humanitarian Law, the use of explosive weapons in crowded areas and greater humanitarian access.

Angelina Jolie

Angelina Jolie is not only the most celebrated Hollywood actress but most importantly a humanitarian who extends her star power to reach to the most unfortunate section of the society. Jolie has not failed to reach the most conflicting areas of the world like Darfur, Chad and Iraq. She was actively a part of efforts which aimed at ending rape by visiting the Democratic Republic Congo with William Hague, UK Foreign Secretary.

In 2011, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) recognized Angelina Jolie with UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador. She was later promoted in 2012 to a Special Envoy of the High Commissioner. She is one of the first persons to receive the Citizen of the World Award by the United Nations Correspondence Association and also to get the Freedom Award by the International Rescue Committee.