Page 476 - 100 Reflections that Crafted Geneva International_V-Petrovsky_private special edition

100 Reflections that Crafted Geneva International

The two symbolic events are remarkable due to the fact that the 100th
Nobel Peace Prize is firstly attributed to the United Nations as a whole, and
that one hundred years ago the Swiss citizen, Jean-Henry Dunant, was selected
for the first laureate of the Peace Prize for his activities dedicated to alleviating
the suffering of the millions of victims of meaningless violence in the world.

These events as well as unveiling a commemorative plaque at the place of
la “Salle de la Réformation” have a particular significance for the city of Calvin
which is the second centre of the United Nations and a host city for a number
of UN entities engaged in the promotion of a better future for all without
discrimination.

To speak today about la “Salle de la Réformation” it is not only to recall to
mind the l5th November 1920, date of the opening of the first Assembly of the
League of Nations, and to highlight the placing of the headquarters of the first
in history international organization at Geneva. What is more important is to
speak about the famous “Spirit of Geneva”, which was marked by great suc-
cesses of the League of Nations in resolving several international disagreements
in particular between Sweden and Finland, as well as between Greece and Bul-
garia. The efforts of the League also succeeded in a Franco-German reconciliation,
which resulted in the Locarno Agreement signed in October 1925.

In regard to this legacy of “Spirit of Geneva” it is worth mentioning that
the concerns of the League of Nations related to the promotion of international
understanding and cooperation, to disarmament and welfare, to the protection
of the rights of the individuals and, in a broader sense, the propagation of the
concept of humanitarian justice have found their reflection in the Charter of
the United Nations, adopted in San Francisco in May 1945.

The dawn of the new millennium brought a historic reaffirmation by
Member States of the purposes and principles of the United Nations, including
in particular the principles of human dignity, equality and equity at the global
level. During the last decades, concern with human rights has become one of
the most prominent themes for the Organization. In this context, the role of
Geneva, especially the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights
is enormous in building a culture of peace and human rights. In the framework
of this activity, concrete ways and means are sought to combat and prevent
prejudice, hatred and discrimination, which are perennial sources of conflict
and violence.

Thank you for your kind attention.

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