Timothy E. Wirth is president of the United Nations Foundation. This new institution was founded in early 1998 by R.E. "Ted" Turner through a major financial commitment to support United Nations causes.

As president of the UN Foundation and its related institutions, Wirth is responsible for leading the Foundation's central mission in support of:

1. UN causes with special focus on population stabilization, women's empowerment and the education of girls; protection against environmental destruction and climate change; and advancement of children's health;

2. Strengthening UN institutions, including support for the secretary general's reform efforts initiatives to improve UN capabilities related to human rights, the environment, land mine removal, and other major priorities;

3. Public education, including demonstrating the importance and capabilities of the UN around the world, and translating these to the American public;

4. Raising new & additional resources, including efforts to broaden private engagement with and support for the United Nations and UN causes, from within the United States and around the world.

Wirth represented Colorado in the United States Senate from 1987 to 1993; he chose not to run for re-election. He served in the United States House of Representatives from 1975 to 1987, representing Colorado's 2nd Congressional District.

Wirth was a White House Fellow under President Lyndon Johnson, and served as deputy assistant secretary for education in the Nixon Administration. He is a graduate of Harvard College and holds a Ph.D. in education from Stanford. The recipient of numerous honorary degrees, Wirth also serves as a member of the Harvard Board of Overseers. He is married and the Wirths have two children.

April 1998