nouvelles de notre association - aafi-afics - UNOG

I was stationed in New York in the early 70s and I have recollections of CV presiding over his weekly
meetings with the Liaison Officers of the Specialised Agencies; he had a gift for creating a friendly and
cooperative atmosphere without making speeches about it. I also remember seeing him at lunch time
bustling along 1st. Avenue from his USG’s office in the secretariat to his UNDP office in the Alcoa Building
some 300 metres away, carrying a heavy burden of files. A memorable image: a USG serving as a
messenger.
Either one of those jobs would have been enough to bow down an ordinary man; CV revelled in both. What
was equally impressive – and refreshing –was his interest in outside activities. He was President of the
Board of the UN International School for many years. He was not just a decorative president, but took very
active interest in it, tackling its financial problems, punctiliously attending its meetings and functions.
A keen tennis player, he once played an exhibition match at the school against Ilic Nastase and put up a
surprisingly creditable performance. A connoisseur of South Indian classical music, he arranged evenings at
his home with performances by well known singers.
CV had knowledge and vision, which was broad and encompassing as the Charter itself,” wrote Kofi Annan.
This is well apparent in the books that CV wrote after retirement: United Nations: An Inside View; The United
Nations at 50: Recollections; and UN University: A Personal Perspective. He also translated several verses
of the Sanskrit epic The Mahabharata, published by Columbia University.
It was no doubt his activities outside the normal work of the UN that kept CV a pleasant, approachable,
unassuming personality. Yes, a Titan he was, but one with a human face.
27 November 2003. Aamir Ali
IF
- you are retired or retiring;
- you are familiar with the UN system and know English and French;
- you have often had the feeling that you could do more interesting and responsible work without
someone looking over your shoulder;
- you have two days per week to spare;
- you are willing to put your experience to use and do volunteer work in human rights, and want to be
part of a small team operating in congenial surroundings;
THEN YOU ARE THE PERSON WE ARE LOOKING FOR !
For more information call +022 740 35 30 (Anki Flores or Margaret Furth), Anti-Racism Information Service, 14 Avenue
Trembley, CH – 12098 Geneva; e-mail: aris@antiracism-info.org, www.antiracism-info.org
62