SERGIO VIEIRA DE MELLO CENTER
"There is no hierarchy of suffering and tragedy. For the victim, whether from Sudan, Timor or Kosovo, suffering is identical "
Check Us OutA human being has the right to live with dignity, equality and safety. There can be no security without a true peace, and peace must be built on the firm foundation of human rights. The maintenance of peace and security is inextricably linked to the equality of rights between men and women
- Sergio Vieira de Mello
Sergio: What We Do
Sergio Vieira de Mello was the most experienced person in an international crusade for alleviating human suffering: proudly Brazilian, he was truly committed to making peace more than just an abstract. Sergio, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, position identified as the “Conscience of the World”, was, with Dag Hammarsjold, the key figure of international diplomacy in the 20th century.
He had inaugurated the novelty of UN nationbuilding in Kosovo and East Timor (the UN’s success story), and had also built extensive refugee credit in every major conflict that has defined the last 40 years. East Pakistan, Sudan, Mozambique, Bosnia, Cambodia, Kosovo, (and closer to home, Peru and Argentina) before heading to make East Timor independent, for which he was rewarded by becoming the top UN Human Rights man. It was then that the UN's Kofi Annan ordered him to Iraq, where he was killed together with 21 colleagues in a suicide attack against UN headquarters, which was destroyed. Carolina Larriera, his widow and survivor of the bombing, together with Sergio’s mother, Gilda Vieira de Mello, are committed in perpetuating a legacy and a life worth remembering.
The Center focuses on democratizing the teaching of diplomacy so that those without access can develop skills in high demand in the labor market: lack of public speaking skills, negotiation, conflict resolution, and etiquette can be detrimental for youth's insertion in the workplace. We also undertake advocacy to promote dignity and tolerance as core values, in order to advance peaceful coexistence, and building meaningful lives.
Check Out Our Work
WHY?
Sergio Vieira de Mello lead his life with honor and integrity. Our purpose is to honor Sergio’s life and legacy and weave it into the entire fabric of our international society so as to perpetuate a life worth sharing and remembering. This is why the Center focuses on the democratization of teaching diplomacy.
Our Origin
The Sergio Vieira de Mello Center, founded by Gilda Vieira de Mello and Carolina Larriera in 2008, was registered that same year in the Registry of Legal Institutions, obtaining the corresponding legal status that enables it to carry out its activities . The Center is dedicated to the dissemination of the work of Sergio Vieira de Mello, contributing to its knowledge, and promoting its correct interpretation
Our Objective
Democratizing the teaching diplomacy so that those without access can develop attributes required by the job market: lack of oratory, negotiation, problem solving, and etiquette can be damaging to youth: lack of oratory can make your ideas unheard; lack of negotiation skills, lose money in negotiations and the chance to influence someone; lack of problem solving skills, miss jobs for not knowing how to build logical reasoning; lack of etiquette, without which others judge you in advance. Although social media relationships have taken over the world, she/he who communicates best in person still makes the difference.
Our Orienting Values
Dignity for all, and worth of the human person; Tolerance; Dialoque; Integrity; Global understanding; Bridging Cultural divides; Shining from within. Our vision, like that reflected in Sergio’s actions and the values he spearheaded, is to contribute to the making of a just society that remembers its past, listens to all voices, and pursues dignity and tolerance for all.
Our Volunteers
Young people who believe in the ideal, and as young ambassadors, replicate the work from their communities. Engineers, lawyers, communicators, international relations professionals: We are people of all kinds and we believe that it takes collaboration and commitment to create the paths of human dignity.
Our Board
Friends who are engaged and committed, and have been witnesses of the greatest conflicts of the last 30 years
JOSE RAMOS-HORTA (Timor-Leste)
Nobel Peace Prize 1996 and President of Timor-Lesteclick for more info
HILDE FRAFJORD JOHNSON (Norway)
Fr. Development Minister, and UNICEF Deputy Exec Directorclick for more info
BARBARA HENDRICKS (EEUU)
Lifetime UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador and Operatic Sopranoclick for more info
STEPHEN WALT (EEUU)
Professor of International Relations, Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard Universityclick for more info
Our Team
We are not a team because we work together we are a team because we respect trust and care for each other
Our Work
Promotion and Coordination of INTERNATIONAL NETWORK OF +100 "Sergio Vieira de Mello" SCHOOLS around the globe
MENTORS AND DISCIPLES PROGRAM, promoting partnerships between leading personalities in key areas matched with young entrepreneurs (see more)
READING PEACE INITIATIVE to encourage reading and stimulate critical thinking in suburbs and metropolis’ periphery (see more)
The Sergio Vieira de Mello Internationalist's Day, together with OAB - Brazilian Bar Association and ANAPRI
Touring exhibition on Sergio's international career
The Power of Words
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