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international international

Hidden at our Feet: I was even fortunate enough to find a donor remains in a perfect state at our feet! It may
connected to the de Sellon family history, have been overlooked due to construction
the First historic monument of multilateralism who was prepared to restore the Temple. I works, but now when the construction works
shared this information with colleagues and are terminated, it can be easily found. While
By Evelina Rioukhina published a series of articles which caused the huge tree that ruined the Temple is no
tremendous interest; especially among longer there, it gave birth to a twin trunks
It is generally thought that multilateralism Previous generations understood the younger people, remarkably enough, who tree that grew from the fallen tree, and these
began in Geneva with the League of Nations in significance of this heritage of internationalism, even now ask if the project is progressing. newly grown twin trunks will lead you to this
1920. However, the ICRC, was created much but of late it seems to have been forgotten Unfortunately it is not, but this young interest discovery. As the ruined tree gave the life to
earlier than this, not to mention other events and is at risk of being lost. Today, the Black is a hopeful sign, emphasising the monument’s new trunks, the Temple should be given new
which sowed the seeds of multilateralism in Marble obelisk is in the Cemetery of the Kings importance. Whether it is the first monument life in the same way!
Genevan soil. To better understand this, it is where it is often mistaken for a headstone. of multilateralism, or just one of unity and
worth revisiting the history of multilateralism The Temple met an even more tragic fate peace is for the future to decide, but the Despite of the grandeur of the new H building
and seeing how Geneva became known as the – it was demolished by a falling tree during commitment of these young people assures and other restorations, this monument’s
city of peace and diplomacy much earlier - a thunderstorm in 1946 and has never been me it will undoubtedly be restored one day. significance may be the most important.
more than two centuries ago. rebuilt. Geneva is the capital of multilateralism, and
As my generation is ‘outgoing from the UN’ today we need this approach more than ever.
The long history of Geneva peace There have been many proposals to restore (retirement), we must admit that we - as the Renewing our heritage and history will be a
movements is usually dated it. In 1963, its reconstruction was proposed whole currently “outgoing” generation - did first step.
from the First Congress of the as a Memorial dedicated to the UN not attach much importance to this monument,
Société de la Paix, established in Secretary-General Dag Hammarkjöld, who having often more significant preoccupations. There will be opportunities of course: the
1830 and convened soon after lost his life in serving the ideals of peace, At the beginning of the millennium, as well 80 anniversary of the UN, or, in 2030, the
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by Count Jean-Jacque de Sellon or as an optional burial place for the ashes as dealing with climate change, we were 200 anniversary of the first Congress of
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in his castle, Château Allaman, of international civil servants. In 1967, a involved in other important activities, such Peace would both be good occasions for
near Geneva. This Congress petition of international staff suggested it as the Memorial (1999-2003), and later - the restoration. However, is such an occasion
is generally believed to be the as an interfaith mediation and dialogue renovation of the Palais and building of a huge needed? The minimum can be done right
forerunner of the League of centre for people of all religions, delegates, new edifice for the UNOG -H building, as away – a commemorative plaque could
Nations and the UN. official representatives and Genevan well as some other not less important projects be put on the original foundation near
citizens. In 1975, during the European such as the Portail des Nations. We have been H building, to stop it being forgotten.
However, there are archives and Year of Architectural Heritage, a proposed also achieving the restoration of the Celestial Furthermore, it could be restored
monuments which indicate still restoration managed by the Arts Society Sphere which we had been striving for many elsewhere, as suggested before. It could
earlier peace activities, some by would have made it a landmark for the years, even decades. While the Celestial be in the middle of The Rebirth sculpture,
Count Jean-Jacques de Sellon international spirit of Geneva. For this last, Sphere is the world-known vista of Geneva as it will symbolize the rebirth of unity.
himself (1782-1839). As well as it was also suggested it could be restored at International and the symbol of the Palais des The important thing is that it is done, and The archives
founding the first continental another site: suggestions included by the Nations, however, the symbolic importance of people fully understand its historical value. information
European peace society, de Sellon Ariana Museum outside UNOG premises. the Temple is still significant. provided by Jean
devoted himself to promoting This is the message I am passing on together Claude Pallas, the
peace and arbitration between Then, in 1995, almost a generation later, As part of the ‘outgoing from the UN’ with Jean-Claude Pallas – symbolically - from author of the book
nations and was also an ardent the Temple’s significance was seriously re- generation, I want to pass on the message the previous and pre-previous generations to on the architectural
opponent of the death penalty. examined, and there was an attempt to from past generations to whom this Temple those UN generations working at the Palais history of the
He erected two monuments at restore it on the 50 anniversary of the UN was of enormous significance. These include today, in the hope that they will accomplish Palais des Nations
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the Villa La Fenêtre – the Black on the grounds of the Palais. It was thought all former Secretaries-General and the what we could not. We believe that the “Histoire et
Marble Obelisk to commemorate this would be an appropriate monument UNOG Directors-General (the period from current generation, or those which come architecture du
the 1 Congress of the Peace to mark the jubilee, but funds were not 1963 to 1995), as well as my dear friend Jean- after, will want to get back to their heritage Palais des Nations
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Society 1830, and the Temple of available for implementation . Sadly, it was Claude Pallas, who is the true guardian of the and finally restore this important monument (1924-2001), L’Art
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Friendship and Peace in 1820, then forgotten until I came across it a few Palais and its heritage and who shared all his of Geneva internationalism. It is my privilege Déco au service
des relations
which seems to be the first ever years ago and was struck by its historical discoveries and undertakings with me. This to be part of this chain from the past to the internationales”,
peace monument in Geneva. significance. I immediately contacted Jean- article is request from the past to the future: future! UNOG, 2001; and
This symbolizes the spirit of Claude Pallas who graciously provided do not forget about this monument, and if the former Chief
internationalism in Geneva, and me with documentation, and I conducted possible, restore it. Even though it was given of the Building
so is part of its multilateralist research of my own (details in Diva 1/2020, to city storage and broken into pieces, many The author expresses deepest thanks to and Engineering
history. pp. 24-39). « Portrait d’arbres », Italie 2019 of which are damaged or lost, the foundation Jean-Claude Pallas Section at UNOG.

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