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these high principles were so universally accepted and acclaimed by member States
and executive heads,” asks Aamir in this study, “if they were enshrined in the Charter
and in a dozen Constitutions, then how is it that they seem to be so often ignored? Why
does the reality fall so short of the idea?”

These questions must surely have haunted each one of us during our international
careers, and Aamir’s study contains a lengthy analysis of the extent to which, and the
reasons for which, these high principles have been ignored and violated. He ends on a
reasonably positive note:

National civil services were not built up in a day; the international civil service will
obviously also take time to mature. It will be a long process and will need a series of
strong and dedicated executive heads and a relaxing of the violent governmental
pressures of the last few decades. This is an idea which is not as far removed from
reality as it may sound. That reality intrudes on the idea is no reason for abandoning the
idea; on the contrary, it is an argument for holding on to it even more firmly.

The countries of the world need international organizations for the orderly conduct of
their increasingly complex and interdependent relationships; if the organizations are to
function effectively, they need an independent and impartial staff. It is impossible in the
world of today to insulate the international civil service from the political aspirations and
expressions of member States. But it is possible, and indeed imperative, to strive
constantly to move reality closer to the idea. It will be a long, grinding process but it is
feasible. The alternative is unthinkable.

Thank you Aamir for your encouraging words of wisdom.

TRIBUTES TO JEAN-JACQUES CHEVRON

1933-2018

By Roger EGGLESTON

It is with great sadness that I learnt of the death of Jean-Jacques Chevron, Honorary
Chairman of AAFI-AFICS, on the 23rd September, 2018.

Jean-Jacques was Chairman of AAFI-AFICS from November 2003 until July 2008
having served as an elected Committee member from 1999 following five years during
which he worked with the Section of Former Officials of the ILO Staff Union.

He was born on 18th August 1933 in Boulogne Billancourt and studied at the Institut
d’Etudes Politiques de Paris from 1953 to 1956.

J-J joined the ILO in 1963 and enjoyed an illustrious career serving in Paris, Dakar, New
York and Teheran before being appointed in 1984 as Chief of the Official Relations
Branch based in Geneva. He retired from the ILO in 1994.

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