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100.

STATEMENT
BY MR. V LADIMIR PETROVSKY
UNITED NATIONS UNDER-SECRETARY-GENERAL
DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF THE UNITED NATIONS OFFICE AT GENEVA
ON THE OCCASION OF THE OPENING OF THE EIGHTH GENERAL
ASSEMBLY
OF THE STUDENTS' LEAGUE OF NATIONS
ORGANIZED BY THE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL OF GENEVA

Palais des Nations, Hall XIX, 10 December 2001

Distinguished Delegates,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

I t is a great privilege to welcome you all to the Palais des Nations

for the Eighth General Assembly of the Students' League of
Nations. We at the United Nations at Geneva always look
forward to welcoming you here to your annual General Assembly.

Over the next two days you will debate - and hopefully finalize - resolutions
in very much the same way that your countries’ representatives do in the
United Nations General Assembly. Already in the preparatory phase you will
have discovered what competencies are required of a successful diplomat:
detailed knowledge of the dossier and attention to detail; coalition-building
skills and the ability to reconcile often conflicting positions; sensitivity to and
understanding of opposing points of view; and an aptitude for balancing
compromise and perseverance. You will undoubtedly sharpen these skills over
the coming days and take with you key negotiating talents applicable in all
areas of life.

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