Artist & @UNESCO Special Envoy for Peace & Reconciliation. We all share a common bond - let's bring peace, love & harmony into the world! We are one
Joined February 2011
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I’m thrilled to participate in @OneYoungWorld’s 2026 Summit in South Africa alongside WPDI Youth Peacemakers from the Cape Flats 🇿🇦 My belief in the transformational power of young people continues to guide the work of @connectWPDI.
He's transforming the world on- and off-screen 🎬
From becoming on-screen characters to supporting young people in shaping their own futures.
We’re excited to announce that @ForestWhitaker is joining us in Cape Town this November! 🎉
Forest built a career on transformation. Deep immersion. Full commitment. Becoming entirely part of the worlds he portrayed — through research, discipline, and lived detail.
Similarly, his own life evolved and transformed.
An injury changed his direction early on. Sport became opera training. Opera became acting. Forest became globally recognised and award-winning, including an Oscar and a BAFTA.
As his career evolved, so did his purpose.
Through his organisation @connectWPDI, he now works with young people in communities affected by conflict — including in South Africa — supporting skills, opportunity, and leadership pathways that last beyond a single moment on stage.
We are honoured to welcome him as a Counsellor at the One Young World Summit Cape Town, 2026. 🇿🇦
🔔 Stay tuned for more iconic Counsellor announcements!
#OneYoungWorld #OYW26 #ForestWhitaker #CapeTown #Peacebuilding #Leadership
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Congratulations to Michael B. Jordan and Ryan Coogler on your Oscars for Sinners! From Fruitvale Station to Black Panther, it has been a privilege to witness and be part of this journey with you both. Your storytelling continues to move cinema forward.
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On #InternationalWomensDay and every day, I stand in solidarity with women globally. From the women in my life and through @connectWPDI, I have learned the power of resilience, leadership, and courage.
We must listen to and uplift female leaders. It is the path forward.
Mar 8
On #InternationalWomensDay, women across WPDI’s global network share a message to the next generation of female peacebuilders.
Globally, women are mediating conflicts, supporting one another, and creating opportunity.
When women rise together, peace rises too. 🕊️💜
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I’m deeply concerned by reports of escalating violence against children in South Sudan. I stand with @childreninwar & @_VanessaFrazier in calling to protect children and de-escalate the conflict. The children of South Sudan deserve dignity, opportunity, and a future in peace.
South Sudan’s children are facing an alarming surge in grave violations amid escalating conflict. As hostilities intensify across the country, children are paying the highest price. Read SRSG CAAC
@_VanessaFrazier's full statement: bit.ly/46DRyPa
#ProveItMatters
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#BlackHistoryMonth is about understanding who we are as a nation and honoring the resilience, brilliance, and courage of Black Americans whose contributions have shaped this country. Below, I reflect on why Black history and why peace requires justice: wpdi.org/news/black-history-…
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Today, we mourn Rev Jesse Jackson, Sr., a giant whose faith, courage, and conviction shaped our nation. Standing with MLK, he carried the Civil Rights torch, championed the marginalized, and called us to justice. May we honor his life by keeping hope alive.
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I echo @_VanessaFrazier’s urgent call to protect the children of Sudan. Children are being recruited, killed, and attacked in their schools and hospitals. These aren’t numbers, they are young lives forever changed.
The children of Sudan can’t wait; we must stand up.
#Sudan: children are living through one of the most devastating protection crisis. Consequences for children are likely to last a lifetime.
In 2025, over 1,850 grave violations against children were verified.
Statement by @_VanessaFrazier: bit.ly/40js8Tb
#ProveItMatters
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Violence cannot be our answer. Toughness cannot be our identity. Courage, compassion, and human dignity are the path forward. Let’s honor those we lost by choosing to be better humans.
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On #InternationalDayofEducation, the 2026 @UNESCO Lead w/ Youth Report shows the gap: in low-income countries, 33% of school-aged youth are out of school, vs 3% in high-income countries
At @connectWPDI, we're working to create pathways that give all learners access to education.
Jan 24
Education is a fundamental human right, but for millions, it remains out of reach.
This #InternationalDayofEducation is both a moment of progress and a call to action. At WPDI, we're working alongside communities to create opportunities for education, dignity, and peace.
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This #MLKDay, I’m reminded that every young person deserves the chance to thrive.
Read my latest reflections on Dr. King’s dream and our shared responsibility.
wpdi.org/news/dr-kings-dream…
Jan 19
On #MLKDay2026, we honor Dr. King’s vision of justice, dignity, and opportunity for all.
Read Founder and CEO, Forest Whitaker’s reflection on how investing in young people helps carry that dream forward 🕊️ ⬇️
wpdi.org/news/dr-kings-dream…
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Even in the hardest places, I’ve seen resilience, dignity, and hope.
I echo @antonioguterres’ call: peace is possible, and as we enter a new year, may we continue believing in a more peaceful world.
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I’m grateful to have received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the #JoyAwards2026 last night. This honor belongs to the incredible people I’ve worked with along the way. Storytelling connects lives, cultures, and experiences, and reminds us of our shared humanity.
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2025 asked a lot of people. I’m grateful for the moments that mattered, for my family who keeps me grounded, and for communities everywhere that continue to inspire hope. As we step into 2026, I’m carrying that gratitude forward with optimism. Wishing you a joyful beginning!
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10 Dec 2025
Human rights come alive in the everyday realities that give people dignity. This #HumanRightsDay, I’m reflecting on how often I’ve seen peace emerge; not from grand gestures, but from simple essentials: safety, opportunity, healing, connection.
Read here: wpdi.org/news/international-…
10 Dec 2025
In his #HumanRightsDay reflections, WPDI Founder and CEO, @ForestWhitaker reminds us that human rights are carried in the steady moments that make life whole. This is the meaning of “Our Everyday Essentials.”
Read more:
wpdi.org/news/international-…
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27 Nov 2025
This Thanksgiving, I’m grateful for family in all its forms, those we’re born into and those we build through purpose and shared hope. Especially grateful for my children, whose love inspires me every day. Wishing everyone a warm and happy holiday.
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13 Nov 2025
Proud to see @connectWPDI and @SES_Satellites recognized at the 2025 @africatechfest for our partnership bringing high-speed connectivity to youth in South Sudan and Uganda. Access to education and technology creates hope, and that hope changes lives. 🌍
#ChangingLivesAward
13 Nov 2025
We’re honored to win the Changing Lives Award at the 2025 @africatechfest! Together with @SES_Satellites, we’re connecting young people in South Sudan and Uganda to digital education and opportunity, proving that #PeaceIsASkill
wpdi.org/news/ses-and-wpdi-w…
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10 Nov 2025
On #WorldScienceDay, I join @UNESCO and @connectWPDI in honoring the power of science to inspire hope, drive progress, and build peace. 🌍
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6 Nov 2025
I extend warm congratulations to Khaled El‑Enany, @KhaledElEnany6 on his election today as Director-General of @UNESCO. His leadership comes at a pivotal moment for the world to engage in positive transformation. I look forward to collaborating toward our shared vision of peace.
The General Conference of @UNESCO elected Mr. Khaled El-Enany (#Egypt) as Director-General of the Organization.
The new Director-General will succeed @AAzoulay, who has held this position since 2017.
Read more: unesco.org/en/articles/khale… #unescoGC
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Forest Whitaker retweeted
The General Conference of @UNESCO elected Mr. Khaled El-Enany (#Egypt) as Director-General of the Organization.
The new Director-General will succeed @AAzoulay, who has held this position since 2017.
Read more: unesco.org/en/articles/khale… #unescoGC
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3 Oct 2025
The passing of Jane Goodall marks the loss of a voice that forever changed how we see the world. She revealed that peace lives in how we treat each other, in how we safeguard the planet, and in how we value every living being.
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