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“As the head of the UN Office at Geneva I am ready to open “Geneva is a repository of political, economic, social and
the floors of the Palais des Nations to encourage common humanitarian know-how and this knowledge is its power”.
intellectual and cultural undertakings in Geneva and
to stimulate the exchange of ideas between the United “If in the cold war Geneva was well known for its spirit,
Nations and the people of Geneva”. the power of the present-day Geneva is its knowledge,
which is the basis of wisdom in politics and diplomacy”.
“Geneva reflects all the activities of the United Nations “Geneva International which has enjoyed a unique
directed at the creation of a new global society capable of reputation for its tolerance, humanitarianism and
providing the rule of law, the protection of human rights democratic pluralism since the Middle Ages”.
and the solution of conflict by peaceful means”.
“Through international cooperation in action, Geneva
“In the best tradition of the City of Calvin as the birthplace greatly improves the quality of peoples’ daily lives
of international humanitarian activity, nowadays, all the throughout the world in often unpublicized but concrete
major work of the UN in human rights and humanitarian ways. This is the major source of inspiration for all of us
operations is undertaken in Geneva”. - international civil servants - working in Geneva”.

“In diplomatic terms, Geneva is not only an established “Geneva provides a perfect infrastructure for the
centre of international activities, but is, in fact, the symbol cooperation between the classical, traditional
of multilateral diplomacy”. international organizations and the new actors in
emotional activities including: the parliamentarians, local
“Within this international structure, Geneva has its own authorities, business community, religious bodies and civil
handwriting. Whilst New York is the major decision- society in all aspects”.
making centre, Geneva is the major operational
headquarters. Up to 65 per cent of all the activities of the “It is clear that Geneva, a crossroads of multiculturalism
Organization are conducted from Geneva, many of the and an international center of global authority, in new
operations extending to all regions of the world”. post-Cold War political environment is fast becoming a
city which both reflects and connects global diversity”.
“Geneva is becoming evermore important as а venue
for conferences and negotiations, an operational centre “Geneva involvement in security matters in conjunction
for peace-building, disarmament, economic and social with its tradition of humanitarianism make it the
development, and the protection of human rights”. international capital of human security, which includes
the security of individual human beings, not only from
“The traditional spirit of Geneva - the spirit of openness, war and violence, but also from hunger, disease and
responsibility, and humanism”. environmental degradation”.

“It is tremendously important that Geneva be one united “Contemplating the future role of Geneva International we
community. The division between la rive gauche and la need to take into account, that for the first time in history,
rive droite should only be a matter of geography, without all humankind is inter-linked by information highway,
any other implication. This is the spirit of Geneva, a city economic links and environmental concerns. Issues
which has become not just one of the major centres are global by their nature and multilateral cooperation
of multilateral diplomacy but which also enriched is no longer an option but a necessity for a peaceful and
international activities with its traditions such as tolerance prosperous global society”.
and respect for others, and with the heritage of the great
thinkers who lived in Geneva. The Swiss tradition of “As you are well aware in Geneva, dialogue is a basic
democracy and equality in relations between different function not just of international diplomacy but of every
groups of population is very important for the diplomatic society the world over. Dialogue among the Civilizations is
community. We want to further advance these traditions the new trademark of Geneva in the network age”.
and create new conditions wherein Geneva could
strengthen its position as the Europolis of the United “The future of Geneva as the capital of internationalism
Nations”. is bright. I will act personally in order to contribute to it”.
(Vladimir Petrovsky, Director-General of UNOG 1993-2002)
“Humanitarian affairs have traditionally been considered as
one of Geneva’s area of expertise due to the synergy of various
leading humanitarian organizations based in this city”.

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