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editorial

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE NEW RANGE ROVER

DIPLOMAT PROGRAM AND BENEFITS

The 80-year journey of
the united nations

History is marked by ups and downs, and the same
can be said about the 80-year journey of the United
Nations. Officially founded in 1945, the UN was born
out of a shared recognition that the world needed
an international forum where states could come with 1,450 students, located in Manhattan.
together to discuss complex global issues and resolve In Geneva, the International School was founded even earlier,
complex problems. Its ultimate goal was — and remains in 1924, by local educators and officials from the League of
— «to save succeeding generations from the scourge Nations and the International Labour Organization (ILO). Its
of war». purpose — to provide an international education grounded in
While the United Nations has been derided for failing the progressive principles of the éducation nouvelle movement
to achieve this, the goal lives on, not just as an ideal but — remains the same to this day. Commonly referred to
as a guiding principle in the conduct of international by its French nickname, Écolint (a contraction of École
relations. internationale), it pioneered the International Baccalaureate
The United Nations replaced the League of Nations, (I.B.), first awarded in Geneva in 1973. Its program has since
a dearly valued organization in Geneva where it was been adopted in hundreds of schools, public and private,
established and remained throughout its existence. The throughout the world.
League played a vital role in shaping Geneva into the Two other institutions, created at the time of the founding
international city it is today and laid the groundwork of the League, came into their own with the founding of the
for the UN. Indeed, much of the best — and most UN: the Graduate Institute of International Studies and the
successful — of the UN’s work is a realization of efforts Translators and Interpreters School both at the University
set in motion under the League. of Geneva. Both remained the only instance of their kind
Over the years, the multilateralism embodied in the well into the 1950s, when their success began to inspire the
spirit of the UN has become increasingly important, as creation of hundreds of similar institutions throughout the
our world has grown more interconnected than ever. world. Such schools and their programs of study are taken
What happens in one part of the world now has far- for granted today, an integral part of the internationalization
reaching consequences elsewhere. This interdependence of the world, but without the early boost given by the UN,
underscores the relevance of institutions like the UN and it is unlikely that they would have so rapidly achieved the
its specialized agencies. significance that they enjoy today.
The United Nations has many success stories. Yet, Another offshoot of this international spirit is the
in times of crisis, people tend to focus more on International Women’s Guild.
shortcomings and challenges than on the real progress The presence of the League of Nations, followed by the United
made — in international law, human rights, global Nations and numerous other international organizations in
health, cooperation, and mutual understanding. The Geneva, has earned the city a unique global recognition that
list of achievements is long. Today, we debate issues like few others can claim. Indeed, in addition to being obviously
artificial intelligence, trade wars, and climate change, cosmopolitan, Geneva i also the world’s most international
often forgetting the generations of people who believed city -- the smallest of the great capitals, as it is often dubbed.
in building a better world — and worked tirelessly to do So yes — the UN faces challenges today. But like an old
so, preparing the way for us, who carry on their work. lady with a few aches and pains, she deserves our care and
Like the League of Nations before it, the UN has always appreciation. The values she represents — peace, cooperation,
had dedicated staff who believe deeply in its mission. equality, and dignity — remain as strong and as relevant
Some even created a credit union in New York to help as ever. While she may have reached an age where she is in
UN employees save, invest, and borrow. In 1947, a group need of repair, she is far from retirement. Let’s come together
Autobritt Grand-Pré SA of UN parents founded the United Nations International and help her face the future — united.
Rue du Grand-Pré 2 School (UNIS) to provide an international education for Happy 80th anniversary to all of us — we, the peoples of
1202 Genève their children. Today, UNIS is an esteemed institution the United Nations.
www.autobritt.ch +41 22 308 58 00

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