MESSAGE OF UNOG DIRECTOR GENERAL AT OPENING OF EXHIBITION ENTITLED "CARTOONING FOR PEACE"

Following are the remarks of United Nations Under-Secretary-General and Director-General of the United Nations Office at Geneva, Sergei Ordzhonikidze, at the opening of an exhibition entitled "Cartooning for Peace". The remarks were read out by the Director of the United Nations Information Service, Marie Heuzé


"It is my great pleasure to welcome you all to the Palais des Nations this evening for the opening of this one of a kind exhibition entitled, “Cartooning for Peace”. We appreciate being able to host this exhibition following its launch at the United Nations Headquarters in New York last year. And the journey does not end here; it shall also be traveling to Paris and Brussels over the coming months. Allow me to first extend our deep appreciation to the organizers of this remarkable exhibition this evening, which was made possible through the joint efforts and fruitful cooperation of the United Nations Department of Public Information and le Salon international de la caricature, du dessin de presse et d'humour of St. Just-le-Martel. I thank its President, Mr. Gérard Vandenbrouck. May I also take this opportunity to acknowledge the distinguished group of 20 cartoonists whose works are featured in this exhibition. We appreciate the presence of the Swiss caricaturist, Mr. Patrick Chappatte, one of the artists who contributed to this evening’s exhibition. Last but not least, I would like to pay tribute to Mr. Jean Plantu the brilliant cartoonist from “Le Monde”, the mastermind behind this thought provoking and unique initiative, who unfortunately could not be with us this evening.

Images, and cartoons among them, speak louder than words. They do not need to be translated from one language to another to successfully portray a thought or a message. They have a unique strength to transcend language barriers, because each of us as individuals interprets these images, based on our way of life, value system, traditions and beliefs. However, while images may be as strong as words, and even stronger, they are no alternative for constructive dialogue.

Defending creative capacity while ensuring that peoples live together in peace is an ongoing challenge. Freedom of expression is vital to cultural dialogue and must be defended as an indispensable element of democratic societies. However, like other freedoms and rights, it must be exercised in full respect for the beliefs and values of others. Indeed, freedom and respect are two principles on which we cannot compromise. They are complementary, not mutually exclusive.

The title of this evening’s exhibition, “Cartooning for Peace”, evokes our responsibilities as individuals to address today’s global challenges. Both the artist and the audience have a responsibility to seek peace. It bears repeating that our interpretation of things is strongly embedded in our culture. Indeed, while cartoonists must reflect the world with a culturally sensitive eye, audiences must behold the word of cartoonists in the same vein. As an art critic once noted rather aptly, “You can parody almost anything, but that does not turn the universe into a caricature”. In that spirit, I invite you to enjoy this outstanding exhibition.

Before I leave you though, allow me to also draw your attention to another exhibition, “The League of Nations in caricatures”, which is currently taking place at the UNOG Library. It is testimony not only to the rich historic archives of the UNOG Library, but also evidence of the longstanding tradition of cartooning in human history".

For use of the information media; not an official record

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