JOHANNESBURG - While Trump and Putin presented their own particular views and values in Helsinki this week, which united Democrats and Republicans in a bipartisan outrage, former US President Barack Obama celebrated Nelson Mandela's 100th Birthday in South Africa by highlighting topics such as the value of immigration, universal human rights and economic justice (Click to view the lecture).

We experienced Nelson Mandela on three occasions: first as part of a delegation by Amnesty International, when he was declared a prisoner of conscience, a status Amnesty had denied him during his prison time as there had also been the usage of bombs and violence in the fight against Apartheid. The second time a video had been prepared for his 90. birthday in Monte Carlo as he seemed too weak to attend - but suddenly he did appear and started dancing on stage with the likes of Bono and Prince Albert, giving perfect examples how ideals can come with fun and joy.
“Education is the key“ was always Nelson Mandela’s credo. In order to further this mission, we hosted in association with the United Nations and its Secretary-General a "Sports for Peace"-Gala at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa to promote the Millennium Development Goal No. 2 – to bring every child to school by 2015.

When Obama quoted Mandela on enemies becoming friends, he probably thought of a slightly different approach than Trumps and Putin's joint venture in Helsinki on the common ground of condemning the FBI:

“To make peace with an enemy, one must work with that enemy, and that enemy becomes one’s partner.”

Clint Eastwood's outstanding film, called "Invictus", starring Morgan Freeman, detailed Mandela's unique venture to unite South Africa through a mission to win the 1995 Rugby World Cup. Invictus was recognised by Cinema for Peace as a nomination for the 2010 Cinema for Peace Gala.

Female Activism- Fist Female MP Honoured and Pussy Riot at the World Cup.

London - The first ever Woman to be elected to the British parliament is set to be honoured in Westminster. Constance Markievicz was first elected in 1918 from her prison cell, as she was a member of the Sinn Féin party in Dublin, Ireland. Despite her esteemed standing, Markievicz had to battle many of the stereotypes that hold Women back today.

Evidence of modern women's fight was also present at the World Cup. First women from Iran demonstrated successfully to be allowed into stadiums, then members of the punk rock feminist group Pussy Riot ran on the pitch at the World Cup Final in police uniforms in order to ask for the release of political prisoners, for more freedom and a Russian police, that will stay as nice and friendly as they were during the World Cup (Click here to view the Facebook Manifesto by PussyRiot).

Pussy Riots first public appearance in Europe after their release from prison was at Cinema for Peace 2014 in Berlin, where the documentary 'PUSSY RIOT- A Punk Prayer' was honoured. Cinema for Peace invited the group to a screening at the Olympics in Sochi, introduced them to Hollywood and helped them to raise funds for the rights of prisoners and their media platform. A member presented an award this year in Berlin and raised funds for their activism.
A prison sentence of 15 days instead of two years mirrors progress in Russia. Every successfully developing society needs critical voices and freedom of expression.

100 years of Nelson Mandela- Make Your Enemy Your Friend.

Female Activism- Fist Female MP Honoured and Pussy Riot at the World Cup.