Through the years, media mogul and CNN founder Ted Turner cut a larger-than-life figure as he made headlines and built his broadcast empire. Today, the founder and chairman emeritus of Turner Broadcasting Systems uses that trademark passion and his deepest values in service of his philanthropy, particularly through his work for the UN Foundation, which he founded and of which he is Chairman.
The United Nations, on whose behalf the UN Foundation advocates, had its origins in 1942 during World War II as a declaration to end the reign of Axis powers and was officially established in 1945, following the end of the war. The United Nations pledged to help promote worldwide peace and security and advance fundamental human rights. Its formation had a powerful effect on Turner, who was 7 that year. “It was a big news story and a news story that went on for years," he says.
Ted Turner on funding the UN
Turner credits the United Nations for preventing the further escalation of military conflicts in the years following World War II, especially those arising from the Cold War. “I remember specifically when [Soviet leader Nikita] Khrushchev was addressing the United Nations and he was so angry [that] he took his shoe off and pounded it on the podium,” says Turner. “But he didn’t order the bombers to come because he had a place where he could let off steam.” And that’s one the many aspects of the UN that Turner admires—it provides a forum to speak out and be heard, a deeply valuable service in de-escalating conflicts on the global stage as it is in the rest of life. “The act of listening does a lot to diffuse anger,” he says. Even if the listener doesn’t do what you want, “at least you got a chance to be heard and that shows respect and that takes away a lot of whatever anger you had,” he says.
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Turner is no stranger to speaking out and being heard, and he did just that in 1997 when he announced a historic gift of $1 billion to support the United Nation's causes and activities. Through the UN Foundation, which he created as a vehicle to dispense this gift and advocate for the United Nations, he has worked to promote global health, preserve the environment, and fight for the needs and rights of women across the globe.
The man who was once quoted as saying "You should set goals beyond your reach so you always have something to live for" is now living to change the world for better. He has used his philanthropy as a public expression of his deepest values and beliefs to achieve results and inspire others. “I’ve tried my best to make a difference,” he says. “You never know how long you’re going to be here—life is short.”
Ted Turner's Key Messages for Other Philanthropists
- Start philanthropy now. Turner urges people to get started with philanthropy as soon as possible. The big problems are urgent and complex, he says, and need to be addressed now. Watch: Do philanthropy now: Ted Turner urges getting started as soon as you have the money.
- Population growth, environmental issues, and protecting wildlife are a critical challenge for society and must be addressed. Turner says that waiting to tackle these issues is not an option if we want to preserve the chance for any future at all. Watch: For the sake of sustainability: Ted Turner makes an urgent appeal to reverse population growth or For the love of humanity: Why Ted Turner works to protect gorillas.
- All humans should have equal rights. Turner says that half the women in the world do not have equal rights as men. "They can't get a job [and] can't drive a car in Saudi Arabi," he says. "That's pretty terrible." Watch: Ted Turner advocates for equal rights for women.
- Look for areas where you can make a difference and collaborate to do so. Turner selected his battles against polio and malaria because they were “areas where [he] could make a difference.” And he has. In partnership with other organizations and philanthropists, the UN Foundation has helped eliminate “99%” of polio, he says, while bed nets are reducing malaria rapidly. Watch: How to make a difference.
