Page 433 - 100 Reflections that Crafted Geneva International_V-Petrovsky_private special edition

83.

STATEMENT
BY MR. VLADIMIR PETROVSKY
DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF THE UNITED NATIONS OFFICE AT GENEVA
ON THE OCCASION OF THE EXHIBITION ENTITLED
“LA LIBERTÉ, UNE GALÈRE DE 55 MÈTRES”

Hall des Pas Perdus, Palais des Nations, Monday, 31 July 2000

Ambassador Nordman,
Excellencies,
Dear Friends,

I t gives me great pleasure to welcome you this evening for the
Liberté,
inauguration
of the exhibition: “La
galère de 55
une
a
mètres”, which portrays various stages in
the construction
of
splendid 17 Century Galley. I would like to extend my thanks and congratula-
tions to His Excellency, Ambassador François Nordmann and the Permanent
Mission of Switzerland for their role in and support of this worthwhile initia-
tive.
This project demonstrates the pioneering attitude of our host country
Switzerland towards unemployment which was at a low 2.1 per cent this May.
It is a recognized fact that those who suffer at the hands of unemployment
often experience social, economic and psychological hardship. The Galley,
aptly named “Liberté” has yielded a new dignity and hope to the 500 or so
Swiss craftsmen who got the opportunity to be involved in its creation.

The empowering aspect of participation for those connected with the
fabrication of “La Liberté” gives a good example of job promotion within the
context of integrated development. The Swiss commitment to practical deeds

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