"Since my youth, the meaning of my life has been to fight for the dignity and freedom of my people."

She was born in Mozambique in 1946, and later married the politician Samora Machel. When he was elected president, she held the position of Minister of Education and Culture. Her main goal was to promote universal education for all Mozambican citizens. Her husband died in 1986 in a plane crash. After his death, Graça Machel stepped away from politics and became fully dedicated to protecting children who had been victims of her country´s civil war.

In her role as the president of the Foundation for Community Development, a non-profit organisation from Mozambique that was founded in 1994, she worked to provide the community with access to knowledge and technology in order to promote sustainable development. In addition, in 1994, the general secretary of the United Nations named Graça Machel as an independent expert for performing an evaluation of the impact of war on children.

Along with Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu and Kofi Annan, among others, she belongs to the group known as "The Elders", which is made up of world leaders who with their knowledge, leadership and integrity, aim to contribute towards solving some of the most urgent problems of our time. She is also the founder and president of the Foundation for Children´s Development, where she continues to fight for children´s integrity.

Sources:

• Biography at the website for The Elders

• Profile at the BBC website

Additional information:

• Prince Philip of Asturias Award for International Cooperation 1998

• UNICEF study about the impact of armed conflicts on children