H.E. Ambassador Remigio Martin Maradona

H.E. Ambassador Mr. Remigio Martin Maradona, Director General, IIMSAM, has been in the United Nations System since the latter part of the 1980's. A graduate of the Hunter College, City University, New York (CUNY), has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and History. He also has a Master’s Degree in Public Administration (MPA).

He joined the World Association of Former UN Interns and Fellows as the first disabled interne to accomplish his internship at the UN Headquarters in New York successfully. From 1987-2005, he held various pivotal positions and was the catalyst in the promotion of WAFUNIF`s creative programmmes in support of the United Nations Alma Mater.

Inspired by various international instruments and especially the International Charter of Physical Education and Sport, UNESCO, 1978, and various UN General Assembly Resolution on Sports and the Olympic Idea which stresses upon securing the fundamental right of every human being to sport that is essential for the full development of one’s personality; and his ambition to secure the benefits of sport for the marginalized, H.E. Amb. Maradona founded the stars filled WAFUNIF "Futbol4Peace" campaign that was aimed at spreading awareness about various UN Programmes and the WAFUNIF in-house programmes. He initiated the WAFUNIF Multi-Center in Nicaragua that was a recreational and educational centre for children, adults, and the disabled. He was one of the youngest member ever to be elected to the Board of Directors.

H.E. Amb. Maradona became the Director-General of the Intergovernmental Institution for the use of Micro-algae Spirulina Against Malnutrition, IIMSAM, in the year 2007.

H.E. Amb. Maradona has been a staunch supporter of the Rights of the Disabled and has actively participated at the various sessions of the United Nations Ad-Hoc Committee on Comprehensive and Integral International Convention on Protection and Promotion of the Rights and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities as a delegate adviser of the Permanent Mission of Chile to the United Nations.

H.E. Amb. Maradona was appointed as a Goodwill Ambassador/Special Adviser to the United Nations by the Republic of Vanuatu on 15th September 2005 till January 2007 with a portfolio from the Foreign Ministry on Social and Humanitarian Affairs; and Disability Issues. H.E. Amb. Maradona reported directly to the Deputy-Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs of Vanuatu.

H.E. Amb. Maradona is also a renowned and accomplished poet who writes in Spanish and is immensely popular amongst the readers especially for his romantic poetry. He has been conferred with various honors and awards on numerous occasions by established platforms such as the prestigious Ruben Dario Award and the House of Noble Poets in London ,U.K besides many others.

He was conferred with "2006 Global Human Rights Protection Award" by the Indian Institute of Human Rights at the 8th World Human Rights Congress held in New Delhi, India on the World Human Rights Day on the 10th of December 2006.

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