On July 18th, the day of Nelson Mandela’s birthday, Madrid will host a 6.7 km charity ‘walk’ in Retiro Park to generate goodwill and inspire people to contribute to change the world around us. The event starts at 8:00 pm, entry is free and citizens and volunteers will attend and will walk or run the symbolic 6.7km to show their solidarity with Nelson Mandela Day.
Spain’s South African Ambassador, Vusi Bruce Koloane who will attend the opening of the event said:
“I am very pleased that the 46664 campaign has chosen Madrid for this celebration of Mandela Day.”
Nelson Mandela Day Madrid 2010 has announced that its Volunteers Programme, developed through the online website www.46664voluntarios.es, has galvanized individuals to take action with over 100 NGOs and 500 volunteers already signed up from all over Spain and Latin America.
The programme was launched in April at the Red Cross’ Espacio Pozas, as part of the international Nelson Mandela Day celebrations taking place in Madrid which included a program of cultural, music and sport events.
Following the UN resolution last November that declared July 18, Mr. Mandela’s birthday, Nelson Mandela International Day, Madrid was chosen to be the host of the first official Nelson Mandela International Day in 2010, following the launch of Mandela Day in New York in July 2009.
The build up to Mandela Day in Madrid has seen a variety of events including the European premiere of the Oscar nominated film Invictus on January 27th in the presence of the critically acclaimed Morgan Freeman; the launch of the volunteers web site; a special performance by BB King on 2nd June at Teatro Circa Price, Madrid to mark the 67 day countdown to Mandela Day and most recently Adidas are auctioning FIFA World Cup artworks and the World Cup Final soccer to help raise funds for 46664.
Tim Massey stated: “Madrid has been extremely passionate about hosting international Nelson Mandela Day, and we will continue to support and work in partnership with the Madrid institutions and our sponsors Vodafone and Lancia to ensure Mandela Day continues to be celebrated in Madrid.”
Nelson Mandela spent more than 67 years serving his community, his country, and the world at large. The number is symbolic of how people can start, taking one small step at a time and become part of a continuous, global movement for good. Mandela Day is a social movement and a call to action by individuals, or people everywhere to take responsibility for changing the world into a better place. We ask people to dedicate 67 minutes to community service. Starting with 67 minutes on Nelson Mandela Day and then making every day your Mandela Day.