NEW YORK – Marking the International Day of Charity, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday called on people everywhere to act on the charitable impulse.
“Impulse that resides in every human being to start giving and to keep on giving.’’
Ban, in a message in New York, said; “let us recognise charity for what it is at heart: a noble enterprise aimed at bettering the human condition.’’
The International Day of Charity was proclaimed in 2013 by a UN General Assembly resolution essentially recognising the role of charity in alleviating human suffering.
It is observed on Sept. 5 to commemorate the anniversary of the death of Mother Theresa, who received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979 for her work with the poor, sick, orphaned and the dying in Calcutta. [eap_ad_1] Ban noted that Mother Theresa’s life and good works for some of the human family’s poorest and most vulnerable members has been such an enormous inspiration.
“Especially in times of intense fiscal and budgetary constraints, charity and acts of kindness, no matter how big or small, make an enormous impact on people’s lives.
Charity also contributes greatly in efforts to achieve the anti-poverty targets known as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and implement the ambitious post-2015 development agenda.
“At the same time, it is important to remember that charity cannot be seen as a replacement or alternative to public spending,’’ he said, stressing that charity plays an invaluable complementary role.
The UN Chief stated that giving back/aid assistance is one of the core pillars of the UN and its agencies and charity contributes to the promotion of dialogue, solidarity and mutual understanding among people.
“From the volunteering of time and expertise to straightforward financial donations by individuals, corporations or philanthropic foundations, charity comes in many forms and sizes.
“Whatever the case, such generosity and kindness, with no expectation of financial gain, can make profound differences in human well-being’’, Ban added. (PANA/NAN)
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