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international

Hidden at our Feet:

the First historic monument of multilateralism

By Evelina Rioukhina

It is generally thought that multilateralism Previous generations understood the
began in Geneva with the League of Nations in significance of this heritage of internationalism,
1920. However, the ICRC, was created much but of late it seems to have been forgotten
earlier than this, not to mention other events and is at risk of being lost. Today, the Black
which sowed the seeds of multilateralism in Marble obelisk is in the Cemetery of the Kings
Genevan soil. To better understand this, it is where it is often mistaken for a headstone.
worth revisiting the history of multilateralism The Temple met an even more tragic fate
and seeing how Geneva became known as the – it was demolished by a falling tree during
city of peace and diplomacy much earlier - a thunderstorm in 1946 and has never been
more than two centuries ago. rebuilt.

The long history of Geneva peace There have been many proposals to restore
movements is usually dated it. In 1963, its reconstruction was proposed
from the First Congress of the as a Memorial dedicated to the UN
Société de la Paix, established in Secretary-General Dag Hammarkjöld, who
1830 and convened soon after lost his life in serving the ideals of peace,
by Count Jean-Jacque de Sellon or as an optional burial place for the ashes
in his castle, Château Allaman, of international civil servants. In 1967, a
near Geneva. This Congress petition of international staff suggested it
is generally believed to be the as an interfaith mediation and dialogue
forerunner of the League of centre for people of all religions, delegates,
Nations and the UN. official representatives and Genevan
citizens. In 1975, during the European
However, there are archives and Year of Architectural Heritage, a proposed
monuments which indicate still restoration managed by the Arts Society
earlier peace activities, some by would have made it a landmark for the
Count Jean-Jacques de Sellon international spirit of Geneva. For this last,
himself (1782-1839). As well as it was also suggested it could be restored at
founding the first continental another site: suggestions included by the
European peace society, de Sellon Ariana Museum outside UNOG premises.
devoted himself to promoting
peace and arbitration between Then, in 1995, almost a generation later,
nations and was also an ardent the Temple’s significance was seriously re-
opponent of the death penalty. examined, and there was an attempt to
He erected two monuments at restore it on the 50 anniversary of the UN
th
the Villa La Fenêtre – the Black on the grounds of the Palais. It was thought
Marble Obelisk to commemorate this would be an appropriate monument
the 1 Congress of the Peace to mark the jubilee, but funds were not
st
Society 1830, and the Temple of available for implementation . Sadly, it was
1
Friendship and Peace in 1820, then forgotten until I came across it a few
which seems to be the first ever years ago and was struck by its historical
peace monument in Geneva. significance. I immediately contacted Jean-
This symbolizes the spirit of Claude Pallas who graciously provided
internationalism in Geneva, and me with documentation, and I conducted
so is part of its multilateralist research of my own (details in Diva 1/2020,
history. pp. 24-39). « Portrait d’arbres », Italie 2019

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