
Tony Fernandes (left), AirAsia Founder and Group CEO said that he joined Amnesty International when he was 13. Salil Shetty (right) is Secretary- General of Amnesty International. Pic taken from FMT News.
KUALA LUMPUR: AirAsia Founder and Group CEO Tony Fernandes is joining Amnesty International’s Global Council (AIGC), the organization announced on Friday.
The Global Council was established in 2013 to help raise public support and financial resources to fuel the organization’s expansion in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East.
“It’s an honour to welcome Tony Fernandes and his entrepreneurial spirit and creativity to our Global Council,” said Salil Shetty, Secretary- General of Amnesty International (AI), in a statement.
Having such a notable business figure from Asia on the council will boost the visibility of AI, he added. “It will help boost the human rights issues we focus on in Asia and around the world.”
Fernandes was quoted as saying in the same statement that he joined AI when he was 13.
“Being a member taught me the importance of human rights to human dignity,” he said. “I am therefore honoured to be able to give back to Amnesty International as part of its Global Council.”
He went on to say that he looks forward to creating awareness and driving engagement in Asia, particularly among Asean youth. Read more