In a gesture full of symbolism, Chancellor Angela Merkel crossed from one side to other, accompanied by VIP guests, former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev, former Polish labor leader and president Lech Walesa, and civil rights activists of 20 years ago.

VOA: standard.2009.11.09

Gambari said that during the secretary-general's visit last month to Burma, which is also known as Myanmar, Mr.Ban met with the country's senior leadership and asked them to free Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners as well as take steps to enhance the political process leading to next year's elections as a gesture of their credibility to the international community.

VOA: standard.2009.08.11

While Washington praised Mr.Netanyahu's gesture as a step forward, US Middle East envoy George Mitchell acknowledged the plan falls short.

VOA: standard.2009.11.26

Moglen says the EPA announcement risks being seen as a political gesture unless the U.S.puts, higher emissions cut proposals on the table here.

VOA: standard.2009.12.09

And in a further gesture of goodwill, the Chinese leader promised help in building 100 clean energy projects, part of what China says is its commitment to fight global warming.

VOA: standard.2009.11.08

The Nobel Peace Prize is clearly a symbolic gesture.

VOA: standard.2009.10.09

The U.S.envoy said he will return to the region in the near future to try to build on momentum generated by the Israeli gesture toward a resumption of negotiations with the Palestinians.

VOA: standard.2009.11.25

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton three weeks ago authorized U.S.diplomatic missions to invite Iranians to the July 4th observances, which typically include outdoor hot dog roasts and American music, as a goodwill gesture.

VOA: standard.2009.06.24

Kendra Kielbasa says the Be a Santa for a Senior program succeeds because it brings the community together in a collective gesture of love and caring, and that,she says,is what the Christmas holiday is all about.

VOA: standard.2009.12.24

"Yet,at the end of her life, in an incredibly telling gesture, in a funeral that she scripted before her death, she picked six of the family's workmen,laborers, gardeners and stable hands to be her pallbearers.

VOA: standard.2010.06.22