Stevie Wonder appointed UN Messenger of Peace

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Stevie Wonder appointed UN Messenger of Peace

02 Dec 2009

Grammy Award-winning songwriter and musician Stevie Wonder of the US has been appointed as a United Nations Messenger of Peace with a special focus on people with disabilities.

The UN said he is being recognised for his philanthropic work with various charities. His special mission will be to help people with disabilities.

Throughout his career Wonder has worked with various charitable organisations including the Employment of People with Disabilities, the Children's Diabetes Foundation and Junior Blind of America.

Wonder, who lost his sight shortly after he was born, learned to play the several musical instruments by the age of nine and signed with Motown Records at the age of eleven, and continues to perform and record for the label. He has recorded more than thirty U.S. top ten hits and won twenty-two Grammy Awards, the most ever won by a male solo artist.

The United Nations Messengers of Peace are distinguished individuals, carefully selected from the fields of art, literature, music and sports, who have agreed to help focus worldwide attention on the work of the United Nations. Backed by the highest honour bestowed by the Secretary-General on a global citizen for an initial period of three years, these prominent personalities volunteer their time, talent and passion to raise awareness of United Nations' efforts to improve the lives of billions of people everywhere.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Stevie Wonder is "admired by millions of people and has given back to millions of people".

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	Haitian writer among UNESCO Artists for Peace Tuesday, March 30, 2010

	Singer Craig David is UN's voice against TB Tuesday, March 30, 2010

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