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international international

leafing through the pages of the archives “As the head of the UN Office at Geneva I am ready to open humanitarian know-how and this knowledge is its power”.
“Geneva is a repository of political, economic, social and
the floors of the Palais des Nations to encourage common
intellectual and cultural undertakings in Geneva and
Geneva International – to stimulate the exchange of ideas between the United “If in the cold war Geneva was well known for its spirit,
through the decade that led to the Swiss referendum (1993-2002) Nations and the people of Geneva”. the power of the present-day Geneva is its knowledge,
which is the basis of wisdom in politics and diplomacy”.
“Geneva reflects all the activities of the United Nations “Geneva International which has enjoyed a unique
After a successful referendum twenty years ago, Switzerland “Geneva International: Triangle of peace-building directed at the creation of a new global society capable of reputation for its tolerance, humanitarianism and
became the 190 UN member State . Geneva Canton led and crisis prevention, a three-dimensional centre for providing the rule of law, the protection of human rights democratic pluralism since the Middle Ages”.
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the favourable vote with 66.7%, in contrast to only 33.7% conference diplomacy, operations and political know how. and the solution of conflict by peaceful means”.
in favour in 1986 . Of course, there were many politicians “Through international cooperation in action, Geneva
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and diplomats working behind the scenes to achieve such a “Geneva is one of the few crucial centres for interaction “In the best tradition of the City of Calvin as the birthplace greatly improves the quality of peoples’ daily lives
positive result in so short a period – only 15 years divided between global and regional structures” of international humanitarian activity, nowadays, all the throughout the world in often unpublicized but concrete
the two referenda. They worked tirelessly with conviction major work of the UN in human rights and humanitarian ways. This is the major source of inspiration for all of us
and devotion to bring about this tremendous victory. “International Geneva, Geneva of multilateral diplomacy, operations is undertaken in Geneva”. - international civil servants - working in Geneva”.
Undoubtedly, Geneva International played an important is deeply rooted in a past that explains the present and
role as well. The “Geneva International” concept, formulated augurs well for the future”. “In diplomatic terms, Geneva is not only an established “Geneva provides a perfect infrastructure for the
in 1993 by the Director-General of UNOG, increased the centre of international activities, but is, in fact, the symbol cooperation between the classical, traditional
visibility of Geneva. It strengthened its role as the capital “Geneva International has enjoyed a unique reputation for of multilateral diplomacy”. international organizations and the new actors in
of multilateralism and diplomacy, of dialogue and Pax its tolerance, humanitarianism and democratic pluralism emotional activities including: the parliamentarians, local
Universalis, of tolerance and openness, humanitarianism since the Middle Ages”. “Within this international structure, Geneva has its own authorities, business community, religious bodies and civil
and human security. Of course, this would not have been handwriting. Whilst New York is the major decision- society in all aspects”.
possible without the support of Secretaries-General “History of Geneva dating back to Calvin testifies that “the making centre, Geneva is the major operational
Boutros Boutros-Ghali and Kofi Annan, as well as the many spirit of Geneva is a spirit of openness which enables it headquarters. Up to 65 per cent of all the activities of the “It is clear that Geneva, a crossroads of multiculturalism
diplomats who worked tirelessly for Geneva. Below are to spill into the world”, a spirit of responsibility, freedom, Organization are conducted from Geneva, many of the and an international center of global authority, in new
quotes to show the atmosphere during the decade preceding charity and humanism, contributing to harmony among operations extending to all regions of the world”. post-Cold War political environment is fast becoming a
the referendum. Most of these ideas, formulated more than nations”. city which both reflects and connects global diversity”.
three decades ago , are living today or have been reinforced “Geneva is becoming evermore important as а venue
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over the years. Let us revisit some of them: “Geneva can help the international community to build for conferences and negotiations, an operational centre “Geneva involvement in security matters in conjunction
a bridge between the twentieth century and the next for peace-building, disarmament, economic and social with its tradition of humanitarianism make it the
“Geneva - Europolis of Pax UN”. millennium - a bridge leading to a new world free from development, and the protection of human rights”. international capital of human security, which includes
ideological confrontations, where the eternal ideals of the security of individual human beings, not only from
“Though it is European based, Geneva is not freedom, progress, social justice and peace could be “The traditional spirit of Geneva - the spirit of openness, war and violence, but also from hunger, disease and
Eurocentristic, it is Global”. achieved in the conditions of democracy”. responsibility, and humanism”. environmental degradation”.

“Geneva is a bridge between people and civilizations”. “Geneva is a unique international centre of diplomatic and “It is tremendously important that Geneva be one united “Contemplating the future role of Geneva International we
legal knowhow which goes back to well before the time of community. The division between la rive gauche and la need to take into account, that for the first time in history,
“Geneva is a natural habitat of multilateral diplomacy”. the League of Nations”. rive droite should only be a matter of geography, without all humankind is inter-linked by information highway,
any other implication. This is the spirit of Geneva, a city economic links and environmental concerns. Issues
“Geneva - the symbol of multilateralism with its “spirit of “From Geneva, ideas of peace, justice and progress spread which has become not just one of the major centres are global by their nature and multilateral cooperation
openness”. throughout the world. The experiment in international of multilateral diplomacy but which also enriched is no longer an option but a necessity for a peaceful and
relations, of which Geneva is the scene, concerns every international activities with its traditions such as tolerance prosperous global society”.
The popular referendum took place on 3 March 2002 and human being. Geneva represents a tremendous investment and respect for others, and with the heritage of the great “As you are well aware in Geneva, dialogue is a basic
thinkers who lived in Geneva. The Swiss tradition of
resulted in 54,6% in favour of the accession. by the human race for its own survival”.
2 In 2002 Geneva had the highest percentage of favourable democracy and equality in relations between different function not just of international diplomacy but of every
votes among the 3 cantons that voted in favour of the Swiss “The city of Geneva is one of the largest European centres groups of population is very important for the diplomatic society the world over. Dialogue among the Civilizations is
accession. Source : Le Conseil fédéral/Chancellerie fédé- of international interactions. This happened because of the community. We want to further advance these traditions the new trademark of Geneva in the network age”.
rale/Droits politiques/Votations https://www.bk.admin.ch/ spirit of openness, responsibility, freedom, and humanism and create new conditions wherein Geneva could
ch/f/pore/va/ 98603 6/can338.html ( 986), https://www. strengthen its position as the Europolis of the United “The future of Geneva as the capital of internationalism
bk.admin.ch/ch/f/pore/va/20020303/index.html (2002). which is so common among the people of Geneva and Nations”. is bright. I will act personally in order to contribute to it”.
3 From the memory book “V.Petrovsky: 00 Reflections that which has allowed this city to win a worldwide recognition”. (Vladimir Petrovsky, Director-General of UNOG 1993-2002)
Crafted Geneva International – Bringing the Concept to Life”,
under preparation by Evelina Rioukhina, based on the pri- “Humanitarian affairs have traditionally been considered as
vate family archives, planned for publication late 2022/early one of Geneva’s area of expertise due to the synergy of various
2023. leading humanitarian organizations based in this city”.

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