英语演讲：联合国秘书长安南和国际足球联合会主席布拉特欢迎世界足联世界杯足球赛开幕的致辞_名人演讲

In a joint message welcoming the opening of the 2006 FIFA World Cup Germany, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi A. Annan and FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter make an appeal for peace, tolerance and development. Their message is addressed to the whole world as it comes together in Munich to witness the start of the world's biggest sporting event.

Football is a global language. It can bridge social, cultural and religious divides. It enhances personal development and growth, teaches us teamwork and fair play, builds self-esteem and opens doors to new opportunities. This, in turn, can contribute to the well-being of whole communities and countries.

That is why the United Nations is using football as a tool in our work to reach the Millennium Development Goals - the set of powerful, people-centred objectives adopted by all countries as a blueprint for building a better world in the 21st century.

And it is why the United Nations is turning to football in our efforts to heal the emotional wounds of war among young people in refugee camps, and in countries recovering from armed conflict.

At the World Summit last year, all of the world's Governments declared that "sports can foster peace and development, and can contribute to an atmosphere of tolerance and understanding".

Over the next few weeks, as billions of people worldwide focus on the FIFA World Cup, we appeal to players and fans everywhere to support to us in our mission. Let us harness the magic of football in our quest for development and peace.

足球是全球通用的语言。足球可以弥合社会、文化和宗教分歧。足球促进个人发展和成长，教我们团队协作和公平竞争，建立自尊并打开新的机会之门。进而可以促进整个社会和各个国家的福祉。

正因为如此，联合国正在把足球作为我们工作中一个工具，用以实现千年发展目标——即各国作为建设二十一世纪更美好世界的蓝图而通过的一整套强有力的、以人为本的目标。

也正因为如此，联合国正在难民营内和刚刚摆脱武装冲突的国家借助足球来弥合战争给年轻人留下的情绪创伤。

世界各国政府曾在去年世界首脑会议上宣布，“体育可以促进和平与发展，并可助长宽容与谅解的气氛”。

今后几个星期，全世界几十亿人都将聚精会神地关注世界足联的世界杯比赛，我们吁请各地球员和球迷们支持我们的使命。让我们利用足球的魅力来促进发展与和平的事业。