Danilo Türk facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Danilo Türk
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Türk in 2011
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| 3rd President of Slovenia | |
| In office 23 December 2007 – 22 December 2012 |
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| Prime Minister | Janez Janša Borut Pahor Janez Janša |
| Preceded by | Janez Drnovšek |
| Succeeded by | Borut Pahor |
| Ambassador of Slovenia to the United Nations | |
| In office September 1992 – February 2000 |
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| President | Milan Kučan |
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | Ernest Petrič |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 19 February 1952 Maribor, PR Slovenia, FPR Yugoslavia |
| Political party | Independent |
| Spouse | Barbara Miklič |
| Children | 1 |
| Alma mater | University of Ljubljana University of Belgrade |
Danilo Türk (born 19 February 1952) is a Slovenian politician, diplomat, and law professor. He served as the third President of Slovenia from 2007 to 2012. Before becoming president, he was a key figure for Slovenia at the United Nations (UN).
Türk was Slovenia's first ambassador to the UN. He later worked as the UN Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs. This means he helped advise the UN's leader on important world issues.
Today, he teaches international law at universities like Columbia University in New York City. He also founded an organization to help children who have been affected by wars. In 2016, he was a candidate for the top job at the United Nations, the Secretary-General.
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Early Life and Education
Danilo Türk was born in Maribor, Slovenia. At that time, Slovenia was part of a country called Yugoslavia. He grew up in a lower-middle-class family and was a good student.
In 1971, he began studying law at the University of Ljubljana. After graduating, he continued his studies and earned a master's degree and a PhD. His main focus was on international law, which deals with the rules that countries agree to follow when they work together.
During the 1980s, Türk became an expert on human rights. He worked with groups like Amnesty International to report on human rights problems. He also helped write the chapter on human rights for Slovenia's new constitution when it became an independent country in 1991.
A Career in Diplomacy
Slovenia's Ambassador to the UN
After Slovenia became independent, Danilo Türk became its first ambassador to the United Nations in 1992. An ambassador is someone who represents their home country in another country or at an international organization like the UN.
During his time as ambassador, he helped Slovenia get a temporary seat on the United Nations Security Council. The Security Council is a very powerful part of the UN that deals with peace and safety around the world. Türk was the president of the Security Council twice, in 1998 and 1999.
Working for the United Nations
From 2000 to 2005, Türk worked directly for the UN as an Assistant Secretary-General. He advised the UN's leader, Kofi Annan, on political issues.
After his time at the UN, he returned to Slovenia. He became a professor and vice-dean at the University of Ljubljana's Faculty of Law. He has written several books and many articles about international law.
President of Slovenia (2007–2012)
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In 2007, Danilo Türk decided to run for president of Slovenia. He ran as an independent candidate, meaning he was not officially part of a single political party. Several left-wing parties supported him.
He won the election in the second round of voting with over 68% of the vote. He became the third president of Slovenia on December 23, 2007. As president, he was the head of state and represented Slovenia on the world stage.
In 2012, he ran for a second term but was defeated by Borut Pahor.
Candidacy for UN Secretary-General
In 2016, Danilo Türk was a candidate for the job of Secretary-General of the United Nations. This is the highest position at the UN, leading the entire organization. The Slovenian government officially supported his campaign.
With his long experience as an ambassador and high-level UN official, many saw him as a strong candidate. He was known as an expert on human rights and international law.
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During his campaign, he was asked about difficult issues. One was the UN's role in a cholera outbreak in Haiti. He said that victims should have a fair way to seek help and that the UN should find a solution. Although he did not win the position, his campaign drew attention to his long career in global affairs.
Personal Life
Danilo Türk married Barbara Miklič in 1976. They have one daughter and one granddaughter. He speaks several languages, including Slovene, English, and French.
In 2011, he had successful surgery for prostate cancer.
Honors and Awards
Throughout his career, Danilo Türk has received many awards from different countries and organizations. These honors recognize his work in law, diplomacy, and human rights.
Some of his awards include:
- The Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath, given to him by Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom.
- The Grand Star of the Decoration of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria.
- The Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic.
- The Grand Cross of the Order of Saint-Charles from Monaco.
- The Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Falcon from Iceland.
See also
In Spanish: Danilo Türk para niños
