United Nations — Associated Press
Published December 2, 2009

Musician Stevie Wonder attends the NBA game between the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers Staples Center on November 24, 2009 in Los Angeles. Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images

Blind pop star will focus on helping people with disabilities

The UN chief is naming blind pop star Stevie Wonder a United Nations Messenger of Peace to focus on helping people with disabilities.

United Nations spokeswoman Marie Okabe said Wonder’s designation as a UN peace envoy will be officially announced on Thursday by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

She said the singer-songwriter, who has won 25 Grammy awards, is being recognized for his philanthropic work with the U.S. President’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities, the Children’s Diabetes Foundation and Junior Blind of America.

Wonder will be the 11th UN Messenger of Peace, joining a list of notable figures including Nobel Peace Prize winner Elie Wiesel, actor Michael Douglas, primate expert Jane Goodall and conductor Daniel Barenboim.

Source: Globe and Mail