Thursday, 13 December 2018
4 November 2014. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has praised Austrian Eurovision winner Conchita Wurst, calling her win earlier this year an “electrifying moment of human rights education.”
– As part of a visit to mark the thirty-fifth anniversary of the Vienna International Centre today, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was among those treated to a performance by the Eurovision winner.
“She confounds people’s preconceived ideas of gender and sexuality – and she appeals to them to accept her as she is,” Mr. Ban said of the drag performer, who won the Eurovision Song Contest for Austria in May, marking the country’s first win since 1966.
“That is a powerful message,” he noted, adding that he is “delighted she is using her talent and the Eurovision platform to take this message to a global audience.” Conchita is a bearded drag persona created by the Austrian singer and Thomas Neuwirth.
Mr. Ban praised Conchita’s promotion of respect for diversity,” which he said was a “core value” of the United Nations Charter.
“As United Nations Secretary-General, I am proud to champion the cause of equality for all members of our human family no matter who they are or whom they love,” he stressed.
Photo: UN/Amanda Voisard.
External links:
Latest Products:
New Backgrounders:
Refugees and Migrants
Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs)
UN Educational Resources Library Newsletter - November 2018
(new websites, information material & publications) UN Press & Media Contacts
When the Security Council approaches the final stage of negotiation of a draft resolution the text is printed in blue... What's in Blue helps interested UN readers keep up with what might soon be "in blue".
The Brussels based United Nations Regional Information Centre for Western Europe - UNRIC provides information on UN activities to the countries of the region. It also provides liaison with institutions of the European Union in the field of information. Its outreach activities extend to all segments of society and joint campaigns, projects and events are organized with partners including the EU, governments, the media, NGOs, schools and local authorities.
United Nations Regional Information Centre for Western Europe (UNRIC Brussels)
Residence Palace, Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat 155, Block C2,7th and 8th floor, Brussels 1040, Belgium
Tel.: +32 2 788 8484 / Fax: 32 2 788 8485
