In
1997, Kofi Annan became the 7th Secretary General of the United Nations, and the
first black person to achieve this office. As Secretary General he worked hard
to strengthen and revitalize the UN's work and to improve the UN's image. He also
sought to strengthen partnerships with civil society and the private sector, trying
to bring the United Nations "closer to the people." At the turn of the Millennium,
Kofi Annan issued a report outlining the UN's role in the 21st century. The Millennium
Declarations adopted by the leaders of the world during the special Millennium
Summit in September 2000 were based on his report. The Millennium Development
Goals set specific goals to end poverty and inequality, improve education, reduce
violence, combat HIV/AIDS and protect the environment.
In
2001, Kofi Annan and the United Nations received the Nobel Peace Prize "for their
work for a better organized and more peaceful world." After completing his second
five year term as Secretary-General, Kofi Annan was chosen to lead the new Alliance
for a Green Revolution in African and he was one of the founding members of The
Elders, an international group of some of the world's leading social change advocates.
