American Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and musician Stevie Wonder will be officially named a United Nations Messenger of Peace on Thursday, the UN press service has said.
Wonder, 59, who was born blind, has recorded more than thirty U.S. top ten hits and won 25 Grammy Awards, the most ever won by a male solo artist.
He is also widely recognized for his support for civil and human rights issues. He spearheaded a campaign to make Martin Luther King Day a national holiday in the United States. He also advocated for ending apartheid in South Africa.
"His career as a recording artist has reflected his concern with humanitarian issues. He has written, produced and/or performed songs relative to charities in support of disabilities, aids, cancer, diabetes, hunger and homelessness, domestic abuse and many other causes on behalf of children and adults," the UN said in a statement.
"Stevie Wonder is a true inspiration to young people all over the world about what can be achieved despite any physical limitations," the statement quoted UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon as saying ahead of the official nomination ceremony on Thursday.
Stevie Wonder will join ten other UN Messengers of Peace who advocate on behalf of the organization, including Hollywood actors George Clooney and Michael Douglas, Brazilian novelist Paolo Coelho and French-born American virtuoso cellist Yo-Yo Ma.
UNITED NATIONS, December 3 (RIA Novosti)
