Top 10 Influential Thinkers Worldwide in 2016

Pope Francis, born on 17/12/1936 in Argentina as Jorge Mario Bergoglio, is the current Pope of the Catholic Church worldwide. This is the highest position in the Church for those following the Catholic faith. He was elected in 2013 and is the first Pope from the Americas. Pope Francis was ranked 4th by the prestigious Forbes magazine in the list of the most powerful figures globally for two consecutive years, 2013 and 2014, and was voted the person of the year by Time magazine in 2013. In Vietnam, his name is transliterated as Phanxico and is commonly referred to as His Holiness Pope Francis by Catholic believers. Pope Francis is renowned for his compassion, concern for the poor, and efforts in interfaith dialogue. He is also known for his humble, simple lifestyle and close connection with people. He supports the traditional views of the Catholic Church on issues such as homosexuality, contraception, and abortion, opposes consumerism, and actively advocates for efforts to combat global climate change. On June 17, 2015, Pope Francis issued the message 'Laudato Si,' calling on Catholic believers to strive to preserve the environment as a 'common home' shared by all living beings on Earth. Pope Francis also played a significant role in normalizing diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Cuba in 2014.

Garry Kasparov, born on April 13, 1963, a Russian national originally named Garik Kimovich Weinstein. He is a Russian chess champion, former world chess champion, author, and political activist. Garry Kasparov is acclaimed as the greatest chess player of all time. From 1986 until his retirement in 2005, Kasparov was ranked world No. 1 for 225 out of 228 months and won the Chess Oscar 11 times throughout his career. In 1997, Garry Kasparov faced defeat against the supercomputer IBM Deep Blue in a public match. He announced his retirement from professional chess on March 10, 2005, dedicating his time to politics and literature. Garry Kasparov joined The Other Russia, a coalition opposing the government and policies of Vladimir Putin. In 2008, he declared his intention to run for the presidency of Russia but later withdrew. Despite retiring from professional play, Garry Kasparov remains a legendary figure in the world of chess. In 2016, he played against 15 opponents simultaneously and emerged victorious in an exhibition at the Kaiser Friedrich Halle hotel in Mönchengladbach, Germany.

Tenzin Gyatso, born on July 6, 1935, in Tibet. He is the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibetan Buddhism. Dalai Lama translates to 'Teacher whose wisdom is as great as the ocean,' the highest spiritual figure in Tibetan Buddhism. Among Buddhist followers, Dalai Lama is also referred to as the 'Living Buddha.' Tenzin Gyatso was enthroned on February 22, 1940, in the capital of Tibet, Lhasa. In 1959, he led over 80,000 Tibetans into exile in Northern India to escape Chinese oppression, where he continues to reside. Tenzin Gyatso has tirelessly advocated for the international community to speak out on the Tibet issue and urged the Chinese central government to respect their desire for autonomy and human rights. Additionally, he travels worldwide to lecture on various topics such as the environment, economics, women's rights, Buddhism, science and religion, interfaith connectivity, and more. Apart from his lectures, Tenzin Gyatso devotes time to writing numerous books on Buddhism, autobiography, history, and more. To date, he has authored over 50 works. His books are widely popular and translated into numerous languages, attracting Buddhist followers and Western religious scholars alike. Tenzin Gyatso was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1989 for his relentless efforts in seeking independence for the people of Tibet.

Bill Gates, a familiar name to many, is a renowned billionaire known for his impressive business acumen and abundant philanthropy. His full name is William Henry 'Bill' Gates III, born on October 28, 1955, in the United States. He has consistently ranked among the world's wealthiest individuals from 1995 to the present. Currently, Bill Gates's estimated net worth is around $77.8 billion. He is the founder of Microsoft Corporation and is credited with initiating the personal computer revolution, providing significant impetus to global technological advancement. Since 2000, Bill Gates stepped down as Chairman of Microsoft and assumed the role of software technical advisor. He allocates only a portion of his time to corporate matters, dedicating the majority of his efforts to philanthropy and overseeing the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. This charitable foundation, managed by Bill and his wife, focuses on supporting underdeveloped countries in areas such as energy, food, education, and healthcare. In addition to philanthropy and business lectures, Bill Gates is also an author and co-author of several books. Among them, the autobiography 'The Road Ahead', written by his own hand, stands out as the most famous. This book has now been published in Vietnam and is available at all bookstores nationwide.

Richard Dawkins, born on March 26, 1941, in Nairobi, Kenya, has the full name Clinton Richard Dawkins. He is an evolutionary biologist, an honorary fellow of New College, Oxford, and served as a professor at the University of Oxford from 1995 to 2008. Richard Dawkins is renowned as the 'Most Famous Atheist in the World.' He advocates for atheism, rejecting the existence of deities. Dawkins often appears in scientific documentaries and television programs to lecture on atheism and his views on religion. Additionally, Richard Dawkins is a prolific author on these subjects. His most famous work is the book The Selfish Gene (published in Vietnam). In this work, he presents a new perspective on the driving force of evolution, focusing on genes rather than individual organisms. Dawkins contends that there is no 'Supernatural Creator - God' and views religious belief as an illusion. While criticized by many religious followers, his views also garner significant support from atheists. You can explore two of Richard Dawkins's published works in Vietnam: River Out of Eden and The Selfish Gene to delve deeper into the perspectives of this distinguished atheist.

Mary Robinson, born as Mary Therese Winifred Robinson on May 21, 1944, in Ireland, became the first female President of Ireland in 1990, serving for 7 years (1990 - 1997). After her presidential term, she worked at the United Nations as the High Commissioner for Human Rights for 5 years (1997 - 2002). Mary Robinson is credited for positively transforming Ireland's political landscape, making it less conservative. Not only a skilled politician, but she is also an active human rights advocate. During her UN tenure, she traveled extensively to deliver lectures and organize workshops on prominent issues such as immigration, the death penalty, and racial discrimination. After leaving the UN in 2002, Mary Robinson continued her human rights efforts through the organization Realizing Rights. This organization works towards promoting fair trade and sustainable industries, advocating for humane immigration policies, enhancing women's leadership roles, and encouraging corporate social responsibility. It also supports building effective management systems in developing countries. In late 2010, she established the Mary Robinson - Climate Justice Fund to advocate for policy changes to address climate change impacts on often overlooked victims, including the poor and marginalized. In 2014, she was honored with the Ambassador of Conscience award from Amnesty International for her strong human rights advocacy.

Pope Benedict XVI, born as Aloisius Ratzinger, on April 16, 1927, in Germany, served as the 265th Pope of the Catholic Church and predecessor to Pope Joseph Francis. He held the position from 2005 - 2013. Pope Benedict XVI was known for his strong and decisive leadership style. During his tenure, he advocated for the traditional views and rituals of Catholicism, urging the faithful to return to the core values of the faith and resist secularism. Pope Benedict XVI founded and operated the Joseph Ratzinger Foundation, funded by the sale of his essays and books. Established in 2010, the Joseph Ratzinger Foundation aims to support scholars in theology by awarding prizes to outstanding researchers, contributing to the development of Catholic studies. Pope Benedict XVI was also the first Pope to use Twitter to connect with the global congregation. Despite stepping down, he continues to have a significant following. In 2016, his autobiography titled 'Ultime Conversazioni' (English title: Last Testament: In His Own Words) discussed power struggles within the Catholic Church, issues during his papacy, and many other controversies within the Vatican. This book stirred the Catholic community and sparked prolonged debates.

Muhammad Yunus, born on June 28, 1940, in Bangladesh, grew up and studied in his homeland before earning an economics scholarship in the United States. After graduating from Middle Tennessee State University, he returned to Bangladesh and worked in the government. In 1971, while surveying a poor village, Muhammad Yunus realized that the impoverished struggled to access funds from banks due to lack of collateral for large loans or being deemed high-risk borrowers. However, he discovered that providing them with very small loans could help improve their lives gradually and lift them out of poverty. This discovery marked the beginning of the concept of 'Microcredit,' which he later developed. In 1976, Muhammad Yunus began seeking funding and conducted thorough field research to implement his project. By 1983, he established the Grameen Bank, providing loans to extremely poor individuals without requiring any collateral. The model was highly successful and quickly expanded throughout Bangladesh and was adopted by many developing countries. Muhammad Yunus's 'Microcredit' model provided access to capital for the impoverished and significantly contributed to the socio-economic development of Bangladesh. Muhammad Yunus gained international fame and delivered lectures worldwide on his innovative economic model. He also appeared on popular U.S. shows such as The Daily Show with Jon Stewart and The Oprah Winfrey Show. He extended his efforts to African countries to help improve and develop their economies. Since 2010, Muhammad Yunus has worked with the United Nations, holding various important positions. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for his substantial contributions to improving the living conditions of millions of impoverished people globally.

Paul David Hewson was born on May 10, 1960, in Ireland. He is better known by his stage name Bono, the lead singer of the rock band U2. U2 is not only commercially successful but also highly acclaimed for their musical prowess. Paul David Hewson is a songwriter and the lead vocalist in the band. Their songs often touch on themes of religion, society, and politics. In addition to his artistic pursuits, Paul David Hewson is also a prominent philanthropist. He and his bandmates have been actively involved in numerous human rights and social justice initiatives, organizing many benefit concerts to raise funds for the impoverished. Paul David Hewson is a spokesperson and co-founder of the DATA organization (Debt, AIDS, Trade in Africa) established in 2002. This non-governmental organization works internationally with the aim of advocating for justice and social equality for African nations by strengthening democracy, combating AIDS, changing harsh trade laws, and canceling debts from wealthy nations. Paul David Hewson's activities have not only brought about positive changes but also influenced the political landscape of several countries. He was named Time magazine's Person of the Year in 2005, received the Order of Arts and Letters from France in 2013, and has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize three times due to his tireless humanitarian efforts.

Al Gore, born on March 31, 1948, in the United States, is officially named Albert Arnold Gore, Jr.. He served as the 45th Vice President of the United States during the tenure of President Bill Clinton from 1993 to 2001. In addition to his political career, Al Gore has held various roles such as hosting Current TV, chairing Generation Investment Management, serving as a director of Apple Inc, acting as an unofficial advisor to Google's management, and being the chairman of the Alliance for Climate Protection. Al Gore is renowned for his vigorous and proactive efforts in environmental protection. Since the 1970s, while still a congressman, he organized numerous congressional hearings on hazardous emissions and global warming. He wrote essays for prestigious newspapers, launched various environmental education programs, and advocated through the Kyoto Protocol (a UN decree aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions). After his political career, he traveled worldwide to lecture on global warming issues and prevention measures. In 2006, he participated in the documentary film focusing on the environment and global warming: An Inconvenient Truth. The film won the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature and became the most-watched documentary in US history. The book based on the film later released also created a considerable impact. In 2007, Al Gore was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts in enhancing human awareness of climate change.