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international

I was even fortunate enough to find a donor remains in a perfect state at our feet! It may
connected to the de Sellon family history, have been overlooked due to construction
who was prepared to restore the Temple. I works, but now when the construction works
shared this information with colleagues and are terminated, it can be easily found. While
published a series of articles which caused the huge tree that ruined the Temple is no
tremendous interest; especially among longer there, it gave birth to a twin trunks
younger people, remarkably enough, who tree that grew from the fallen tree, and these
even now ask if the project is progressing. newly grown twin trunks will lead you to this
Unfortunately it is not, but this young interest discovery. As the ruined tree gave the life to
is a hopeful sign, emphasising the monument’s new trunks, the Temple should be given new
importance. Whether it is the first monument life in the same way!
of multilateralism, or just one of unity and
peace is for the future to decide, but the Despite of the grandeur of the new H building
commitment of these young people assures and other restorations, this monument’s
me it will undoubtedly be restored one day. significance may be the most important.
Geneva is the capital of multilateralism, and
As my generation is ‘outgoing from the UN’ today we need this approach more than ever.
(retirement), we must admit that we - as the Renewing our heritage and history will be a
whole currently “outgoing” generation - did first step.
not attach much importance to this monument,
having often more significant preoccupations. There will be opportunities of course: the
At the beginning of the millennium, as well 80 anniversary of the UN, or, in 2030, the
th
as dealing with climate change, we were 200 anniversary of the first Congress of
th
involved in other important activities, such Peace would both be good occasions for
as the Memorial (1999-2003), and later - the restoration. However, is such an occasion
renovation of the Palais and building of a huge needed? The minimum can be done right
new edifice for the UNOG -H building, as away – a commemorative plaque could
well as some other not less important projects be put on the original foundation near
such as the Portail des Nations. We have been H building, to stop it being forgotten.
also achieving the restoration of the Celestial Furthermore, it could be restored
Sphere which we had been striving for many elsewhere, as suggested before. It could
years, even decades. While the Celestial be in the middle of The Rebirth sculpture,
Sphere is the world-known vista of Geneva as it will symbolize the rebirth of unity.
International and the symbol of the Palais des The important thing is that it is done, and The archives
Nations, however, the symbolic importance of people fully understand its historical value. information
the Temple is still significant. provided by Jean
This is the message I am passing on together Claude Pallas, the
As part of the ‘outgoing from the UN’ with Jean-Claude Pallas – symbolically - from author of the book
generation, I want to pass on the message the previous and pre-previous generations to on the architectural
from past generations to whom this Temple those UN generations working at the Palais history of the
was of enormous significance. These include today, in the hope that they will accomplish Palais des Nations
all former Secretaries-General and the what we could not. We believe that the “Histoire et
UNOG Directors-General (the period from current generation, or those which come architecture du
1963 to 1995), as well as my dear friend Jean- after, will want to get back to their heritage Palais des Nations
Claude Pallas, who is the true guardian of the and finally restore this important monument (1924-2001), L’Art
Déco au service
Palais and its heritage and who shared all his of Geneva internationalism. It is my privilege des relations
discoveries and undertakings with me. This to be part of this chain from the past to the internationales”,
article is request from the past to the future: future! UNOG, 2001; and
do not forget about this monument, and if the former Chief
possible, restore it. Even though it was given of the Building
to city storage and broken into pieces, many The author expresses deepest thanks to and Engineering
« Portrait d’arbres », Italie 2019 of which are damaged or lost, the foundation Jean-Claude Pallas Section at UNOG.

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