”There is far more that unites us as human beings than divides us”
– Professor Sir Nasser D. Khalili
As Chairman of the Khalili Foundation, Sir David has been honoured with a number of global humanitarian positions. These high-profile platforms allow him to promote the ideals of peace, unity and cultural preservation to audiences at the grassroots and decision-making levels worldwide.
In 2012, Sir David was honoured by UNESCO as a Goodwill Ambassador for his work in the pursuit of peace, education and culture amongst nations. In his role as Goodwill Ambassador, Sir David spreads the ideals of UNESCO through his position as a world-renowned scholar, collector and philanthropist. He helps galvanize public interest and support for the purposes and principles of UNESCO to significant audiences, including decision makers.
He has addressed high-level dignitaries, politicians, civil society leaders and religious authority figures at a number of UNESCO events and on a range of themes including, ‘The role of interfaith harmony in the rapprochement of cultures and nations’; ‘The importance of fostering and strengthening intercultural dialogue and understanding at the international, regional and national levels’; and ‘How does culture drive and enable social cohesion and inclusion’.
Sir David’s many keynote addresses as UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador include:
Sir David designated as a goodwill Ambassador by The Director General of UNESCO Ms. Irina Bokova, 2012
Letter from the Director General of Unesco.
From left to right Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser, President of the 66th session of the United Nations General Assembly; Professor Sir Nasser D Khalili, UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador; Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO; HRH Prince Turki Al Faisal Al Saud, Chairman, board of directors, King Faisal Centre for Research and Islamic Studies, 2012
Launch of the UNESCO forum on Building Knowledge Societies for Sustainable Human Development, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, 2013
Sir David is Co-Founder and Chairman (Europe) of The Global Hope Coalition, a network of three not-for-pro foundations based in New York, Zurich and Hong Kong, which is establishing a global platform to empower courageous individuals who stand up to terror and violence, preserve our heritage and build bridges across cultures.
The Global Hope Coalition was launched at the New York Public Library on September 18, 2017, chaired by UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova at a star-studded special ceremony bringing together 550 government and business leaders, cultural icons, philanthropists, and human rights activists with the avowed aim of “taking the fight against extremism and intolerance to the next level.” At the event, ten men and women from around the world who are taking great risks to oppose extremists, wherever they spread lies, bigotry, and hatred, were honored as Everyday Heroes.
The Global Hope Coalition is taking action to engage, mobilize and strengthen the global network of Everyday Heroes by:
Sir David speaking at the 2018 Global Hope Coalition Annual Awards Dinner
In 2018 Sir David was appointed as a member of the Honorary Board at the INTERPOL Foundation for a Safer World.
The INTERPOL Foundation for a Safer World promotes a more secure, open world where global heritage is protected, where economies allow citizens and companies to flourish, and where men, women and children can live and travel without the threat of crimes.
Sir David appointed as a member of the Honorary Board at the INTERPOL Foundation for a Safer World in 2018
