Jolanta Kwasniewska

H.E. Mrs. Jolanta Kwasniewska is the wife of Aleksander Kwasniewski.

"The former First Lady of the Republic of Poland, Founder and President of the “Communication without barriers” Foundation; holds a Master Degree in Law. Mrs. Kwasniewska promotes voluntary activities and encourages others to help the disabled, the ill and the poor. She focuses specifically on children and tries to enrich their lives and enlarge their possibilities as well as on the promotion of peace and tolerance. Her foundation aims to support all activities which initiate the process of cultural and civilization change providing people with equal opportunities to allow for their intellectual, professional and cultural development.

"Mrs. Kwaśniewska has been very active in promoting the idea of peace and tolerance in the world. She organized an international conference "Keep Children Smiling in the New Millennium" in Warsaw to mark the 10th anniversary of the UN General Assembly's adoption of the Convention of the Rights of the Child where the idea of the Rainbow Bridge Project was first launched. She is a member of the Comité des Sages, established by the Secretary General of the United Nations, Mr Kofi Annan, aimed at the development of a global plan to eliminate illicit production, trafficking and consumption of drugs, and also a member of the Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Partnership Foundation as well as a member the Honorary Board of the International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children (ICMEC).

"For her charity and humanitarian work and achievements, Mrs. Jolanta Kwaśniewska was honoured with many national and international awards and decorations among which the most precious for her is the Order of the Smile – given by children for providing aid to children."

• Director, Suzanne Mubarak Women's International Peace Movement