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is also the main photo for this article) clearly but the project was not completed. On his “Today, I will
shows this. departure, he turned the work over to me and share the
my colleagues, and after many initial setbacks vision that
The vision of Mr Petrovsky is still becoming we finally have the sphere under restoration
reality thanks to a donation, and the efforts of he left us in
I was privileged to know Mr Petrovsky for previous and current senior management. 2000, his
almost 40 years, admiring him, learning from As a result of my long working relationship dream of
him, and was honoured he shared his plans with Mr Petrovsky I am deeply honoured to Geneva as a
and works, but also his vision, with me. His be included in the latest book about him, as place where
visions were not merely ideals – he set goals well as to be consulted during the edit of the peace may
and laboured to practically implement them. first one. These will not be the last books about
His only failure was in not writing more him - Mr Petrovsky dreamt of publishing a flourish,
books, as his work never left enough time for book about the UN and Geneva International, change is
it. and I hope this will come true. welcome
His other visions continue to be realized, and
however. For example, he wanted to see Today, I will share the vision that he left us in diversity
Switzerland not only as the host country for the 2000, his dream of Geneva as a place where embraced.“
UNOG, but among the UN Member States. As peace may flourish, change is welcome and
UNOG Director-General he maintained close diversity embraced. More concretely, he wanted
relations with the Swiss authorities. He had specialists and luminaries from all fields to
frequent friendly and productive meetings come together and define and implement new
with Geneva City and Canton authorities, as security paradigms. This vision has been very
well as with the Federal Government. successfully implemented, established and,
In one of his last addresses he stressed: over the past several years, has flourished. I am
“Sometimes, when I talk to people outside sure it will also be implemented for decades to
Switzerland, it is difficult to explain why come.
this country, the name of which is so closely While the recent pandemic has turned
associated with the history of internationalism everything upside down, and slowed down
and which is so heavily involved with the UN, Geneva International, its role is still vital,
is not among its members. We in the United especially during times like these. Our lives
Nations look forward to the day – hopefully may never be the same and perhaps we all are
sooner rather than later – when the Swiss flag moving to online society or hybrid contact,
will take its rightful place alongside those of and maybe in future we will continue to have
the other 189 Member states” (note: there were virtual conferences as they save travel and can
189 states in 2002). guarantee broader participation. However,
I remember him eagerly discussing the there will always be a need for face-to-face
position of the Flag of Switzerland in the Alley diplomacy, especially in fraught and difficult
of Flags – the alley itself being another of his situations. This is why I am sure that after the
ideas. I suggested keeping the first position trauma of the pandemic, the potential and
empty until Switzerland occupied it, and Mr necessity of Geneva International as centre
Petrovsky agreed, saying how deeply he hoped of diplomacy will be duly reassessed and will
for this. It was just after Mr Petrovsky stepped only become stronger. For that, the vision of
down as UNOG DG that Switzerland voted Mr Petrovsky, perhaps slightly adjusted to the
by referendum in March 2002 in favour of current reality, will be a foundation stone.
joining the UN.

He also had a particular wish for the Celestial (The author expresses profound gratitude to
Sphere monument, signifying universal the family of Mr Petrovsky – his spouse Mira
peace, to be restored. He dedicated years to Petrovsky and his daughter Elena, for the photos/
this, organizing a special exhibition in 2000 materials from the private collection). •
to mobilize support for its restoration. Work
did begin on separate parts of the sphere,

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