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An Ambassador extraordinary for the World Children: Gregory R. Smith
(14-years old, June 2003)
Greg R. Smith
"THERE REALLY IS ONLY ONE CHOICE.
We must hear the cries of the children and answer their prayers."
* Greg's Short Bio (13-years)
14 months: solving math problems.
2-years old: reading & correcting adult's grammar.
Decided to become a vegetarian.
5-years old: explaining photosynthesis to kindergarten classmates.
6 to 9-years old: 10 grades of school in 3 years.
9-years old: graduated with honors from high school
10-years old: college freshman
Founded IYA (international Youth Advocates)
2002 (12-years old): nominated for Nobel Peace Prize
2003 (13-years old): nominated again for the Nobel Prize.
2003, May 31: graduated Cum Laude with a BS in Mathematics
and minors in History and Biology.
Through his many appearances, Greg appeals to governmental leaders to value their children as their country's greatest resource. He teaches about ending the cycle of violence and has pledged his life to the pursuit of peace.
A motivational speaker with a powerful message, he has made speeches, written letters, held meetings, conducted surveys and appeared on countless television and radio programs to spread his message of hope and to bring awareness to the needs of children here in America and around the world.
He has met with Presidents, Nobel Peace Laureates, religious leaders and educators such as former President Bill Clinton and former President of the Soviet Union Mikhail Gorbachev and Nobel Peace Laureates: Ireland's Betty Williams, South Africa's Archbishop Desmond Tutu, East Timor's Jose Ramos-Horta, to describe his educational and peace plan. He was a CCF delegate to the UN Special Session on the Rights of the Child. He has appeared before the Security Council of the U.N., Florida and Virginia General Assemblies and the State of the World Forum to build a network of individuals and organizations willing to support his cause.
He has appeared on Sixty Minutes, The Oprah Show, Late Night with David Letterman, The Today Show, Good Morning America, CBS Morning Show, Voice of America and CNN.
The national and international print and broadcast media have told Greg's story and continue to help him spread his message of HOPE for a brighter more peaceful tomorrow.
Greg was president of the RMC chapter of MAA (Mathematics Association of America), and a member of Pi Mu Epsilon (National Math Honor Fraternity), Chi Beta Phi (National Science Honor Fraternity), Beta Beta Beta (National Biology Honor Fraternity), Phi Alpha Theta (National History Honor Fraternity) and Phi Beta Kappa (National Academic Honor Fraternity).
He is the youngest public high school graduate from the state of Florida, and the youngest graduate in the history of Randolph-Macon College.
http://www.gregoryrsmith.com/biography.html
Greg's Global Vision:
"I DREAM OF THE DAY
WHEN ALL CHILDREN
CAN LIVE WITHOUT FEAR
AND IN A WORLD AT PEACE!"
December 6, 1999
http://www.gregoryrsmith.com/quotes.html
*
"I have a vision.
At a time when people are insecure about the future
- when hatred turns against the innocent…
wouldn't it restore hope if children took it upon themselves
to help other children
- children bridging cultural, political and religious divides
- coming together in peace,
speaking with one voice for freedom and justice
and working for a future without fear and suffering?
Children who have not learned to hate,
children who feel a connection with their world,
children who can define the ideal world where all have opportunity
and then believe that it can happen.
For the sake of all of us, we must make this happen."
Above quote from the Vegetarian Times interview
http://www.vegetarianteen.com/interviews/gsmith.shtml
*
"Peace will begin with the children of the world
as we reach out to them
and educate them before they learn to hate.
It is our responsibility to teach others
that through love and compassion we can resolve
our differences and join together in a world of PEACE.
This is a difficult path to follow
but I have pledged my life to this pursuit.
For centuries we have repeated the cycles of war,
as we walk into a new century we can change this trend
and live in a world where no child exists in fear.
Let us be the generation
that finally puts WAR in its proper place....The History Books!"
September 1999
http://www.gregoryrsmith.com/quotes.html
*
"I pledge my life to this MISSION. I hope you will join me in this effort.
The PEOPLE of the world deserve a chance to live without fear and in PEACE.
JOIN WITH ME IN THE
RENAISSANCE OF HUMANITY!"
August 22, 2000
http://www.gregoryrsmith.com/quotes.html
International Youth Advocates:
IYA’s Mission is to protect young people from violent situations and to facilitate adequate educational and life-sustaining services.
http://www.gregoryrsmith.com/iyaconnection.html
"When I was very young and witnessed the video accounts of children suffering from disease or malnutrition, separated from their families or subjected to violence, I knew I had to act. I was just seven years old then, but I was certain there was a way I could make a difference.
I started "I.E.M. for Nonviolence" (I = Inspiration, E = Education, M = Motivation) when I was nine. I encouraged youth groups to adopt my pledge of nonviolence and to make education their priority. I believe the first step to Peace is through education because education breeds understanding and understanding leads to alternative solutions.
Following my high school graduation from Orange Park High School in Florida two days after my tenth birthday, I moved to Virginia to begin my college education at Randolph-Macon College. Being a ten-year-old college freshman attracted international media attention. That helped to establish a platform for my life's mission to protect the lives of the world's children.
It was then that I.E.M. grew into International Youth Advocates. I began presenting keynote addresses at conferences with business, religious, educational and political leaders. I met with youth groups across the US to encourage their involvement in IYA. We are collecting educational supplies, clothing, and toys; writing letters to political leaders; working for new legislation, protecting the rights of children, and volunteering in our communities. International Youth Advocates promotes principles of peace and understanding among young people throughout the world with the objective of instilling enlightened attitudes that will ultimately advance education, improve families, influence world events and provide hope for the neglected, abused and disenfranchised. We work with international NGOs as well as government and business leaders to enhance and protect the rights and well being of children.
Our mission is to create a peaceful, safe and healthy future for all children."
(http://www.vegetarianteen.com/interviews/gsmith.shtml)
"We must never accept the notion that we are too young for our voices to be heard."
A Future of Hope & Courage:
"Life is all about choices....
We have the power to change our world by our choices.
We need to encourage those around us to live a life of moral choices.
Violence could end everywhere in the world at this second
if we could all live a life of MORAL CHOICES.
ONE BY ONE!!!!
THE CHANGE BEGINS
WITHIN EACH OF US."
Greg Smith
August 2000
"Just keep trying and sharing a smile of hope.
Even if your friends do not actively participate
-- they will hear your message and witness your example.
We must plant the seed
and through our efforts encourage their hearts to grow.
Our journey is long -- and often very lonely --
but all you have to do is
look at the face of a hungry, sick, frightened or abandoned child
and you will find the strength you need."
Greg Smith
Feb. 14, 2001
"Why do
people say
THE SKY
IS THE LIMIT?
NOT TO ME!!!!!"
Greg Smith
March 25, 2000
"WE CAN CREATE NEW IDEAS!
I dream of a world that can utilize its knowledge and resources
for the advancement of mankind not its detriment.
I dream of the day when corporations will discontinue
-- on their own --
the production of products
that are harmful to humanity and the environment
-- no matter what the financial loss --
the moral choice will be made
when there is evidence that a product is causing illness and damage.
There is so much violence in our movies, TV shows, and games.
Do you ever ask why?
I will tell you why -- it is because WE BUY THEM!!!!!!
IT IS ELEMENTARY ECONOMICS!
If the market goes away, then the products will disappear
and the industry will create new ideas.
WE HAVE THAT POWER!!
YOU HAVE THAT POWER!
CREATE NEW IDEAS!"
Greg Smith
September 2000
All above quotes from:
http://www.gregoryrsmith.com/quotes.html
To create an International Youth Advocate club and/or to help Greg with his mission, please visit his website:
http://www.gregoryrsmith.com
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