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international

been adopted by the Summit of the Future. at Geneva, as I understand it, to reinforce the
But in my view, his was the most significant city’s international prestige.
among them, and it was about the four peace
principles that Mr. Petrovsky proposed – 4Ps, ER. Yes, for him Geneva, despite being based
as he called them: preventive diplomacy, peace- in Europe, was in no way “Eurocentric”, it had
making, peace-keeping, peace-building. Later, global dimensions. I remember his favorite quote
working in Geneva, he told me that he would from Talleyrand :“There are five continents:
include a 5 P – peace management. Actually, Europe, Asia, Africa, America, and Geneva”.
th
it was he who introduced the term “preventive Eventually, by turning the city into a unique
diplomacy” which was globally accepted (the multidimensional organism, he conceptualized
Charter mentioned only “early warning”). He what he called Geneva’s “own face” – “Geneva
considered “preventive diplomacy” to be one of International”: not just a center of conference
the most important elements of this structure, diplomacy, but the capital of global governance
and he worked on its concept over the years. and bustling multilateralism; not merely the
HP. He was also very much preoccupied with abode of peace, dialogue and disarmament, but
what is now generally known as sustainable the center of humanitarian action, sustainable
development. Which means a comprehensive human security and human rights; finally,
understanding of security as a dignified and not only the intersection of labor, economics
safe form of human existence across the entire and trade, but the site of science, technology
globe. Besides, my father devoted many years and telecommunications. Several important
of his professional career to disarmament – not institutions were established based on this vision,
only as an actual negotiator, but also as a scholar. and his idea to create a center for diplomatic
A lifelong academic (he held two degrees – in advisory services, which is brilliant, to my mind,
law and history), he happily combined theory has yet to come into fruition.
and practice. And that makes sense: to practice
diplomacy, you have to know what it’s about. In his prospects for the future of Geneva, even as
far back as the 1990s, he could see the importance
Of course, his career was quite unique. He came of the presence of the ITU, and I remember him
to New York after having served as first Deputy saying: “It would not be fanciful to project that a
Minister of Foreign Affairs, and at some point future Silicon Valley may one day stretch along
he was even Russia’s representative to NATO. Geneva's famous lake shore”. Unfortunately,
His professional path spans decades, and it Geneva is currently facing a crisis. We honestly
began in New York, where he helped organize hope that it will overcome this crisis and regain
Khrushchev's memorable state visit to the US in its former splendor.
1959. Over the years, he worked under U Thant, HP. I heard about the crisis, and now I see that
Waldheim, Pèrez de Cuèllar, Boutros-Ghali and the situation is not the same as when my parents
Kofi Annan. He was sent to head the UN Office left Geneva. Still, the city strikes me not only as

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