Leaders on the Path to Peace

Ambassador Ambassador Kečo-Isaković
Ambassador Knutsson
Dear Colleagues
Ladies and Gentlemen:

Let me welcome you all to this event marks the official closing of the exhibition “Leaders on the Path to Peace”. This exhibition showcases the numerous luminaries who worked with the League of Nations, and in the years after, towards the goal of worldwide peace. Some of the famous names of the League of Nations movement: Woodrow Wilson, its founding father, Sir Eric Drummond, the League’s first Secretary-General and Swiss statesman Giuseppe Motta, Honorary President of the first Assembly of the League, are all represented here. These personalities are followed by leaders of the post-World War II years, such as Eleanor Roosevelt, René Cassin and Ralph Bunche, who continued their important work in the newly-created United Nations.

Dear Colleagues:
We have just come from a very interesting panel discussion in which we exchange views on the United Nations’ current work in the prevention of conflicts and peacebuilding around the world. We discussed, among other things, the importance of lessons learned. This exhibition gives us cause to reflect on the historical perspective – on lessons learned not just from our recent activities, but from the significant work that was done by these leaders for peace. They grappled with many of the same issues that we face today, as we follow in their footsteps on the path to peace.

As we enjoy this exhibition – and the treasures displayed - for a final time, let us all recommit ourselves to building and maintaining a sustainable peace for all.

Thank you very much.