Page 507 - 100 Reflections that Crafted Geneva International_V-Petrovsky_private special edition

Epilogue

and facilities at his command. In this way, he maintained valuable contacts with
the academic world. Mr. Petrovsky was in favour of Switzerland’s joining of the
UN, and closely followed the campaign in 2001, and the vote on 3 March 2002,
a few days after the end of his tenure as Director-General.

Mr Petrovsky also initiated the Open Doors days, which allowed citizens
of Geneva to become familiar with the buildings and gardens of the Palais des
Nations. This was not simply to support public relations for the international
institutions in Geneva by welcoming visitors on weekends. As a diplomat of the
classic school, Mr. Petrovsky well understood the necessity of engaging civil
society in government efforts for peace and international cooperation. He
sought the involvement of not only political actors, but also those responsible
for economic development, intellectuals, and religious leaders.

During his years at the Palais des Nations, Mr Petrovsky made his mark
like no other. A great server of the United Nations, of its spirit as well as
its institutions, a builder of brides, Vladimir Petrovsky embodied the
historical transition to the globalization that followed.

485