THE ELDERS WHO INSPIRE OUR WORK
The Dandelion Philosophy was built on inspiration from several global leaders all connected through Humanitarian initiatives and advocating for human rights.
So who are the elders that inspire our work?
Desmond Tutu
South African Anglican bishop and theologian, known for his work as an anti-Apartheid and human rights activist. He was a peace campaigner and was honoured with a Nobel Peace Prize for his opposition to South Africa’s brutal Apartheid regime and for his efforts in resolving and ending Apartheid. He publicy endorsed an econmic boycott of South Africa and civili disobedience as a way to dismantle Apartheid. He stood at the heart of a movement for truth and reconciliation, for progress and peace, and was a champion for racial justice for South Africans and equality for all.
Wangari Maathai
Wangari Maathai was a Kenyan social, environmental, and political activist and the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize. She was a pioneer in linking environmental protection and sustainable development with human rights. Maathai’s Green Belt Movement planted more than 30 million trees in Africa and helped roughly 900 000 women. She prevailed over obstacles to be an agent of change for her children, her peers, and all women.
Kofi Annan
A Ghanian diplomat who served as the seventh secretary-general of the United Nations from 1997 to 2006. He received a Nobel Peace Prize, with the UN as co-recipient, for his work for a more organized and peaceful world. He further played a central role in the creation of the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria; the adoption of the UN’s first counter-terrorism startegy; and the acceptance by Member States of the responsibility to protect people from genocide, war crimes, ethnic cleansing, and crimes against humanity. He pressed for human rights and development to be at the centre of international efforts, and sought to broaden participation in shaping and delivering solutions to global challenges.
Saint Mother Teresa
An Indian-Albanian Catholic nun who founded the Missionaries of Charity, which was a religious organisation dedicated to helping the poor. Missionaries were committed to caring for refugees, the mentally ill, sick children, abandoned children, the eldery, and people living with AIDS. They formed schools run by volunteers to teach abandoned street children and run soup kitchens, as well as other services according to community needs. These services were provided for free to all without discrimination based on race, religion, and social status. Through this, she was able to create programs and inititaives that made her an icon of charity around the world.
Albert Einstein
We may predominantly know Einstein as being one of the most influential phsyicists of all time, but his ideas also had a profound influence on the way we see and interact with the universe. His reputation, beyond modern physics, extends to philosophy and world politics. He urged people to expand their thinking when faced with problems. His politics advocated for cooperation amongst nations and the equal treatment of all, with emphasis on the need to actually ACT on these ideas. He was also a peace activitst, objecting to the mistreatment of African Americans and staunchly opposing the policies of the Nazi government. He further worked with various civil rights organisations and activists to demand equality and condemn racism and segregation.
