Page 438 - 100 Reflections that Crafted Geneva International_V-Petrovsky_private special edition

85.

STATEMENT
OF THE DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF THE UNITED NATIONS OFFICE
AT GENEVA
MR. VLADIMIR PETROVSKY
AT THE “FÊTE DE LA COMMUNICATION” OF THE SWISS PRESS CLUB

Villa Pastorale, Thursday, 31 August 2000

Mr. Guy Mettan,
Madame President of the Correspondents’ Association,
Your Excellencies,
Dear Friends,

I t is my great pleasure to attend the “Fête de la Communication”
an event 1 have very
organized
Press Club -
much
by the Swiss
enjoyed in the past, which seems to be developing into an annual
tradition! This evening's reception illustrates the ability of the Press to syner-
gize continuity, adaptability and change which reinforces the reputation of
Geneva International as a multilateral centre for the sharing of knowledge in
the good governance and peace-building fields.

We, at the United Nations consider journalists such as you, ladies and
gentlemen, to be our partner in fulfilling such aims as the fight against war,
poverty, injustice and human suffering. As the largest UN Office in Europe, we
are extremely privileged and proud to have a long tradition of cooperation with
the press corps operating in an atmosphere of unprecedented trust. It is
undeniable that the success that the Social Summit enjoyed was largely due to
the interaction between the press and the peoples. Ideas were exchanged
between nations and cultures in a language that ordinary people could
understand which undoubtedly crystallized the vision for unity and lasting
cooperation.

416