UN under secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator, Norway's Jan Egeland, is on Time Magazine's 'list of the 100 men and women whose power, talent or moral example is transforming our world'.
Egeland is listed under the category Heroes & Pioneers together with actors, politicians, athletes, entertainers and others—who, according to Time 'are using their influence to do the right thing'.
The magazine points out that it was Egeland who shortly after his appointment in 2003 who relentlessly brought the situation in Darfur, where 180,000 have died and 2 million have been displaced, to the world's attention.
Time medical columnist Sanjay Gupta calls Egeland 'the World's Conscience', recalling:
'He entered the glaring and unforgiving international spotlight at the end of 2004 when he berated countries, including the U.S., for being stingy after a tepid response of $15 million in aid to the tsunami-devastated regions. For his part, he clarifies that he singled out no particular country but wondered out loud if the entire world should be giving more in foreign aid. And whether it was because of Egeland or not, the world did start doing more, including an additional $350 million in aid from the U.S. It is probable he will still be described as a pesky European who is more than slightly anti-American, but I have a feeling Jan Egeland doesn't worry too much about things like that. He is too busy visiting the worst places on earth, like earthquake-shaken Pakistan, war-torn eastern Congo or flooded Guyana. You will surely hear his voice when our conscience needs a little reminder. '
(NRK/Time Magazine)
Rolleiv Solholm
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