Editorial | |
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As time goes by…
 In an overgrown corner of an ancient cemetery lies a commemorative tablet on which is carved an important message for humanity: “Good Times; Bad Times; All Times; Pass Over.” In other words, throughout life the good times will tend to get worse and the bad times will tend to get better. The Danish writer Karen Blixen once wrote: “Difficult times have helped me to understand better than before how infinitely rich and beautiful life is in every way, and that so many things that one goes worrying about are of no importance whatsoever.” Nevertheless … “If there is one thing that our modern society lacks, it’s time,” a colleague said to me on a grey Monday morning. “We are constantly running after this and that, without taking time just to live and enjoy life. Since the recent financial turmoil, (...)more... |
Can you imagine?
Can you imagine? A colleague of mine in the “Gauche caviar” (a reference to the leftist intellectual and artistic circles in Paris) once told me that I am not an artist, because I did not attend (...)
Modern technologies 
Modern technologies… A colleague working in this specialized field explained to me what is happening n new types of digital TV, new DVDs where you can store up to 50GB, new types of radio where (...)
REFLECTIONS …
“A new decade…”, observed my colleague, who misses nothing! Reviewing the past ten years, one could state that the most unforgettable event was perhaps September 11, 2001. Whether we like it or not, (...)
Solidarity 
How often do we hear this word? We have to show solidarity toward people in need, toward the poor, toward the less developed. Recently in the Norwegian press the case of non-reporting on the (...)
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Diva International | |
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From Vancover to Vienna - Interiview with Michel Sidibé, Executive Director of UNAIDS, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, and Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations
 Q.What changed from Vancouver to Vienna? At the time of the International AIDS Conference in Vancouver, we were stuck in the emergency phase of the global AIDS response. Less than $300M were available in global resources, experimental treatment was just being introduced, and HIV was still considered to be a death sentence. In the last 15 years, we have broken conspiracy of silence about the magnitude and impact of the epidemic. The rapid scale-up of AIDS programmes and services, thanks largely to support from the US Government and the Global Fund, are unprecedented and in the history of global public health. Today 5 million people are alive and on treatment on low and middle income countries. New infections have decreased by 17% since 2001. In a country such as Botswana, which was (...)more... |
Interview with Dr Judy Kuriansky
Every now and then you encounter a person who is really dedicated to changing the world for the better, and Dr Judy Kuriansky is one of them. Although “she is so famous” as somebody said about her, (...)
Interview with Prof. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, Secretary-General of the Organization of The Islamic Conference
He has a difficult job, Prof. Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, Secretary-General of the Organization of The Islamic Conference (OIC). Not only is he promoting tolerance, peace and understanding, but he is (...)
AID FOR TRADE Interview with Patricia Francis, Executive Director of the International Trade Centre
Q: You were appointed Executive Director of the International Trade Centre (ITC) in June 2006. What do you consider are your main achievements since taking office?
I would say refocusing the (...)
Interview with Dr Max Puig, Minister of Labour of the Dominican Republic
Q: What is your reason for visiting the United Nations in Geneva?
The reason for my being here today in Geneva is to head the Dominican delegation to the Universal Periodic Review exercise in (...)
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Diva`s Diplomatic Pouch | |
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Interview de son Excellence, Ambassadeur de l’Organisation International de la Francophonie, Mr. Libère Bararunyeretse.
 Monsieur l’Ambassadeur est un homme modeste qui depuis 2006 occupe le poste de représentant permanent de l’OIF auprès de l’ONU et des Organisations Internationales à Genève. Avant de venir dans la cité de Calvin, Monsieur l’Ambassadeur a eu un parcours hors pair et il a entre autre été président du Senat de son pays natal le Burundi. Il a également été Ministre des Affaires Etrangères et occupé d’autres postes importants. Depuis son arrivé il se bat pour faire entendre la voix des pays francophones, et faire en sorte que la langue française reste la langue diplomatique. Tout récemment il a organisé en collaboration avec l’ONU une table ronde sur le multilinguisme – un thème qui lui tient particulièrement à cœur. Nous avons eu la chance de le rencontrer à Genève et d’en savoir d’avantage sur l’OIF, leurs (...)more... |
Interview de Son Excellence, Monsieur Babacar Mbaye, Ambassadeur, Représentant Permanent du Sénégal auprès des Nations Unies et des Agences Spécialisées à Genève ; Ambassadeur du Sénégal auprès de la Confédération Helvétique
Q : Monsieur l’Ambassadeur, me feriez-vous l’honneur de résumer votre parcours professionnel ?
Sénégalais d’une soixantaine d’années, je suis un diplomate de carrière, d’une carrière que j’ai choisie (...)
Interview with His Excellency Mr. Jean Feyder, ambassador of Luxembourg to the United Nations 
His Excellency is a dedicated man, passionate about social justice. When he talks about cooperation with developing countries, one feels that this is something close to his heart. Perhaps it’s (...)
Mr. Elchin Amirbayov, Ambassador of Azerbaijan 
Somebody once said "Azerbaijan has been hosting travelers since silk worms started to spin". What kind of influence do you think this had had on the culture and the people of Azerbaijan?
I (...)
Interview with His Excellency Mr.Valery Loshchinin 
Q. Your Excellency, what is your background?
My professional career is quite straightforward –– forty-three consecutive years in the diplomatic service. I went through all the ranks: from attach? (...)
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Geneva International | |
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Interview with Corinne Momal-Vanian, Director of Public Information, United Nations Headquarters, Geneva
 The press corps in Geneva was pleased to welcome the new Director of Public Information, a young and positive French woman who is trying to get the message from the international organizations here in Geneva out to the world. Only positive words can be said about Ms Momal-Vanian–– easy going, pleasant and always eager to stretch out a helping hand. Remarkably, the so-often-critical press corps has only positive words to say about her too. We had the opportunity to meet her, so now we leave the floor to Ms Momal-Vanian … Q. You were appointed Director of Public Information in the beginning of 2010. Could you tell us a little bit about your background and why you were interested in this job? I’m a UN animal and I have worked for the United Nations for twenty-two years in lots of different (...)more... |
Internview with Reza, photographer and founder of Aina
Over the last three decades, Reza’s photographs have been displayed on many of National Geographic magazine’s most notable covers and have been published in major international publications. Yet (...)
100th anniversary of the Nobel Peace Prize being awarded to International Peace Bureau
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Nobel Peace Prize being awarded to the International Peace Bureau (IPB). Since its founding in 1891, in Switzerland, 13 IPB leaders have been awarded (...)
Genève - Cité de la Haute Horlogerie
L’année 2010 a démarré à Genève sous l’égide de l’art horloger : au cours du mois de janvier, trois expositions importantes ont accueilli plusieurs visiteurs - professionnels, détaillants, clients (...)
Comité diplomatique de Genève
Le Comité diplomatique de Genève regroupant les chefs de mission auprès des Nations Unies à Genève vient de porter à sa présidence pour l’année 2010 l’ambassadeur ukrainien Mykola Maimeskoul, (...)
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Economy | |
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Microcredit —Interview with Ivan Pictet, Senior Managing Partner, Pictet and Cie, A Private Bank in Geneva
 He is the eighth generation of a well-known banking family whose roots go back to fifteenth century Geneva. His name is well-known in the international community — both for having chaired the Foundation for Geneva and the Geneva Financial Centre, and lately in supporting the seminar on micro-credit hosted by Geneva in 2005 during the celebrations for the sixtieth anniversary of the United Nations. Like any banker he is discrete, but kindly accepted to meet with us despite his busy schedule. Q: So, Mr. Pictet, who are you? I’m a private banker from a family profoundly anchored in Geneva for more than 500 years. I’m the senior managing partner; which implies that I am at the head of a private bank carrying my name and which celebrated its 200th anniversary last year. I am proud of being (...)more... |
Uzbekistan and Europe: Opportunities and Prospects for Expansion of Economic Partnership
The International Conference entitled "Uzbekistan and Europe: Opportunities and Prospects for Expansion of Economic Partnership" was held on 1 October this year at the Palais des Nations in (...)
INTERVIEW WITH PHILIPPE SEDNAOUI, CEO of Barclays Wealth in Switzerland 
Q: What is your background?
I was born in Egypt, raised in Lebanon and educated in French universities. I have worked between Paris, the Middle East, New York, South America and Geneva.
Q: You (...)
Open Sourcing Risk Management 
Risk management is about managing uncertainty arising from a lack of knowledge about what will happen, or will not happen, in the future. Risk management is going through a paradigm shift with (...)
Oil - The indispensable resource, by Brij Khindaria 
What would truly be a nightmare for our quickly globalizing world economy? Most likely, successful terrorist attacks on major Saudi oil fields that send crude oil prices through the roof. That (...)
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Humanitarians | |
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GEO-FORENSICS? When Satellite Experts Take a Closer Look at Human Rights Cases
 Billion dollars are invested yearly in very sophisticated satellite observation technology used in the intelligence world. But today this world is losing the monopoly of accurate geospatial information: interdependent, inter-linked systems give new users new perspectives on the information age, more access to data, more outreach, more of just about anything. Some of these advancements have become available to everyone through commercial enterprises and may be useful in improving old ways of doing things in the international community arena. How are the international community and the UN system harnessing this techno-info-heaven? Not so well. But there is hope, because in a few hedge areas we (the UN) are among the best. Or, the best among those who can afford to be seen in the public (...)more... |
NUTRITION IN A NUTSHELL? Interview with Huub Verhagen of M?decins sans Fronti?res
The Norwegian documentary film “The Famine Scam”, about the so-called famine in Niger in 2005, was awarded the Scandinavian prize for the best documentary film. This documentary basically stated (...)
Is Anyone Listening?
After sixty-two years of enforcing military occupation, with particular reference to the last twenty years, one of the government of India’s worst fears is being realised. It is now faced with (...)
Over the Mountains, Into the Water - Year Round. Review of Dharma Drum Mountain Relief Works in Myanmar and the province of Sichuan in China.
In May 2008, Myanmar (located in the Indo-China region) was hit by a sudden cyclone and in the same month, China’s Sichuan Province was struck by an earthquake, both resulting in the deaths of (...)
“People ask for permission to save other people’s lives but nobody asks for permission to kill.” Interview with Gal Lusky, founder and CEO of Israeli Flying Aid 
If you have a chance to meet Gal you will surely be impressed by this slim, young woman who has dedicated her life to saving human lives. She is outspoken and honest, not to mention committed to (...)
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Education | |
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Avenirs cabossés
"Il ne parviendra pas à rattraper"," il n’a pas les notes suffisantes pour passer l’année"," il n’arrivera pas apprendre à lire", "il faut le mettre dans une filière spécialisée", sont des verdicts fréquemment prononcés et souvent une de ces phrases suffit pour sceller le destin scolaire d’un enfant. Laurence, pétillante jeune fille en 3ème année du collège, a rattrapé en dix jours un semestre de retard en mathématiques, peu après que son professeur lui annonça qu’avec sa moyenne de 2 elle n’avait aucune chance de passer l’année et lui recommanda de quitter le collège et chercher un apprentissage. Elle a réussi la Maturité avec brio, se passionna pour les sciences politiques et prépare actuellement un doctorat. La maman de Marco, 6 ans, est très inquiète car la maîtresse de son petit garçon lui a annoncé que (...)more... |
De la gifle à la ritaline : aveux d’impuissance et crimes d’incompétence
Le principe des châtiments corporels en tant que moyens éducatifs ne sera contesté que vers la fin du XVIIIe siècle, avec l’apparition d’une nouvelle vision de l’enfant qui sera considéré désormais (...)
S’il te plaît ………sinon………….rien
Je viens de recevoir une facture d’un montant de 20.- fr. libellée de la manière suivante : "Si votre paiement ne nous parvient pas avant le 18 janvier 2007, nous serons dans l’obligation de (...)
Nous sommes tous des éducateurs
Dans le tram, une mère désespérée par les cris de son enfant essaie de calmer son petit avec une agressivité étouffée. Le regard des passagers sera déterminant dans la suite des événements. Si, par (...)
Que d’injustices au nom de la justice !
En imposant des modèles et structures à visées égalitaristes ayant pour objectif de garantir l’égalité des chances, l’école est souvent piégée par ses propres principes de justice sociale et (...)
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Culture | |
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Albert Anker, icône de la culture suisse
 Le Kunstmuseum de Berne et, après lui, le Musée Oskar Reinhart de Winterthur, rendent hommage à Albert Anker (1831-1910) à l’occasion du centenaire de sa mort. Véritable icône de la culture suisse, il est souvent victime des préjugés accompagnant ces artistes trop populaires et surreprésentés, aussi bien sur les cartes postales que sur les boîtes de biscuits, les calendriers "typiques" ou les patrons de broderie. Rien de mieux donc qu’une grande exposition monographique permettant de (re)découvrir un artiste incarnant si fortement des valeurs traditionnelles de son pays (et qui est d’ailleurs le peintre préféré de Christoph Blocher qui a prêté de nombreuses œuvres de sa collection). Comme certaines petites filles de Renoir, celles d’Anker sont si célèbres que l’on a l’impression de retrouver de vieilles (...)more... |
Genève dans le style chalet
Enfant, vous avez peut-être joué sans le savoir dans le préau d’une école “Heimatstil”, vous prenant pour Heidi et Peter sur l’Alpe ... Mais d’où nous vient ce surprenant décor de chalet en pleine ville? (...)
A la Fondation de L’Hermitage à Lausanne Baselitz ou le monde à l’envers
Cet été, votre regard aura peut-être croisé une drôle d’affiche. De loin vous aurez vu quelques traits noirs sur un fond rose vif avec un peu de vert au milieu. En vous rapprochant vous avez aperçu les (...)
Les “Nations Unies” de la poésie féminine 
Un grand projet que l’on pourrait qualifier de "onusien" a vu le jour au Mexique sous l’égide de son Phénix, Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz (1648-1695). Reconnue comme la plus grande poétesse de l’époque (...)
Islam, Soufisme, Evangelisme - La guerre ou la paix - Par Zidane Meriboute 
Le monde arabo-musulman est en agitation. Le livre de Zidane Meriboute propose un panorama de l’islam dans ce contexte, nourri d’une fréquentation assidue des divers courants islamiques dans le (...)
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Health and well-being | |
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The fear of public speaking - Interview with Nicole Wells
 Speaking in public is not an easy task. Who has not been in a meeting listening to a presentation? Sometimes it can be a moment of real gloom, sometimes a pure delight. It all depends on the person standing there in front of you delivering the speech. Looking around you see that the audience is either falling asleep or paying attention. We asked Nicole Wells, who teaches Public Speaking in the well-known New York University and the prestigious Stern School of Business, to give us some advice and to share some of her visions about the matter. Q: Nicole, you are a specialist in public speaking. Could you tell us more about what you do? I specialize in public speaking and accent reduction. I can help people polish a presentation, overcome performance anxiety or to speak English without (...)more... |
“Life motivations in Geneva - A new international centre for life management skills and well-being”
At a time when stress-related illnesses and emotional upheaval are on the increase, where employees’ burn-out is not uncommon, Life Motivations in Geneva is offering solutions. This new (...)
Diabetes - Interview with Dr Gojka Roglic, WHO Specialist 
Q: Not long ago, I read that, for the first time in history, there are more people who are overweight than starving in the world. Does this have an influence on the risk of diabetes?
Yes. Being (...)
Interview with Ragnar Lyng, Director Aqualyng 
Q: You have developed a new technology for transforming salt water into fresh water. Could you tell us how it all started?
In the mid-1990s, the founder of the Lyng Group and Aqualyng –– the now (...)
Taiwan launches New International Medical Team – TaiwanIHA 
Taiwan International Health Action was formally established on March 30 2006, with a vision to provide Taiwan with the chance to give back to the international community.
By integrating and (...)
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des Arts et des Hommes ... | |
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Retrouver Camus
Albert … Le jour o? tu as perdu la vie, j’avais ? peine 7 ans. Je ne te connaissais pas encore ni m?me lu aucune de tes ?uvres. Tu es mort aux c?t?s de ton ami Michel Gallimard. A c?t? de ton corps sans vie, gisait ton dernier manuscrit, le Premier homme. Ainsi tu es mort comme tu as v?cu, dans la lumi?re, dans le combat. Mais si tu as disparu avant terme, signant ainsi l’accomplissement d’un destin consacr? ? la qu?te de la v?rit? et le rejet de l’absurde, tu demeures vivant dans les c?urs de tous les esprits qui refusent la r?signation ? l’ordre ?tabli, la soumission ? cet absurde moderne qui consiste ? consommer et se taire. Si je t’?cris maintenant, au l’aube de mes 57 ans, apr?s avoir v?cu 10 ans de plus que (...)more... |
Revivre la Patrie *
La Patrie n’est pas un lieu g?ographique in?luctable d?fini par les lois de la nature ou par les imp?ratifs de la vie. Elle est la demeure de l’amour premier, la demeure de l’enfance, celle du (...)
Hommage personnel au talent fulgurant de la chanteuse, guitariste et pianiste Melody Gardot
A tous ceux qui ont r?v? un jour de tout plaquer et partir, seuls ou avec une personne aim?e, d?sir?e ou r?v?e, je d?die cet hommage personnel au talent fulgurant de la chanteuse, guitariste et (...)
Aimer en Po?sie
Le monde traverse une p?riode d’incertitude de violence. En qu?te de rep?res, l’homme s’accroche ou s’?gare. Et si on allait ? l’essentiel , l’amour en Po?sie ! Depuis que j’ai chant? mes mots (...)
Voir ... Revivre Blade Runner , ?couter Vangelis 
Voir .... Revivre…
Il est ?tonnant de constater qu’apr ?s 25 ans, Blade Runner n’a pas pris la moindre ride. Sept ann ?es ont ?t ? n ?cessaires pour le remonter selon le voeu, final, de Sir Ridley (...)
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Poetry and literature | |
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Zidane Meriboute, Islam’s Fateful Path
 We are happy to inform you on the publication by the Londonian Publisher I.B Tauris of the translation and Update into English of the book: "La Fracture islamique:demain le soufisme?" , Ed.Fayard, Paris, 2004. The English title is: Zidane Meriboute, Islam’s Fateful Path: The Critical Choices Facing Modern Muslims, Publisher, I.B Tauris, London, January 2009, Translated by Dr.John King. Increasingly Islam struggles against negative stereotypes as a religion of intolerance, extremism and fear, which has failed to meet the challenges of modernity. Zidane Meriboute here proposes a fresh perspective on the crisis facing Muslims today. He intoduce us to an extensive study of current Islamic movements of both confrontational and conciliatory kinds, based on Zidane’s own recent experience (...)more... |
At Sixty
Sixty is no eschatological age, but a breathing pause after a good run. Sixty is no end and no beginning, but a hyperbolic notwithstanding, a parable of sowing and reaping, a metaphor of (...)
SKIING
Skiing is a mode of living: Life is now, an affirmation, time in motion and elation. Carpe diem ! Life is skiing. Skiing is a state of being: happy trance in blinding light or blanket mists, (...)
Alarm clock
Technologically Impaired Husband decides to lend Rather Important House Guest his state-of-the-art alarm clock (set alarm hand to hour required, pull out button, grope wildly and thump button to (...)
L’EMIGRE 
Comme l’oiseau migrateur n’ayant pour richesse Que l’?lan vital et la force de ses ailes Le migrant quitte son toit fuyant la d?tresse Le c?ur palpitant, moins confiant que l’hirondelle
D’o? qu’il (...)
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Travel reportage | |
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Le Palais idéal du Facteur Cheval
Tout ce que tu vois, passant, Est l’oeuvre d’un paysan. Ferdinand Cheval A environ deux heures de Genève existe un lieu rare et magique. C’est à Hauterives dans la Drôme. Des tuiles romaines, quelques odeurs de lavande, un air plus doux, on sent que la Provence n’est pas très loin. Mais on n’y vient pas pour ce minuscule village-rue, comme il y en a des centaines en France avec leur église, leur mairie, leur monument aux morts (et il faudrait ajouter la poste qui, ici, prend une valeur toute particulière comme on le comprendra assez vite). On y vient pour pénétrer dans un lieu secret, blotti dans un jardin comme pour le protéger des regards indiscrets : le Palais idéal du Facteur Cheval. Qui n’a pas fait des châteaux de (...)more... |
Revoir Venise
Tout le monde connaît Venise, ses gondoles, sa lagune, ses pigeons ; tout le monde (ou presque) y a été ou rêve d’y aller, en touriste, en amoureux, en esthète, en connaisseur. On y vient armé de (...)
Cavalieri Hilton in Rome - not quite your regular Hilton 
Supposedly, Hilton hotels all look the same. The standard quality and features that feel reassuring to many international travellers are, for many others, reasons valid enough to avoid Hiltons. (...)
Taiwan, your best destination for medical care 
In the past few years, as medical travel has emerged as a major trend worldwide, Taiwan has begun to actively promote medical tourism. In 2007, the Taiwan Task Force on Medical Travel (TFMT, (...)
Roots deeper than oil - a visit to Azerbaijan 
The land that has unique natural beauty and wealth of climatic features; the space where European modernity and Asian wisdom merge and where ancient trade routes had crossed; the land that defied (...)
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Friends contributing to DIVA | |
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Minarets mal-aimés, symboles de nos peurs mal-avouées
Au nom de la défense de la démocratie et des libertés individuelles, nous assistons à des dérives qui vont à l’encontre des impératifs sécuritaires. Ainsi, des mesures qui permettraient de renforcer la sécurité de nos sociétés ne sont pas prises au nom du respect des libertés individuelles. D’autre part nous violons nos propres lois et constitutions pour combattre des revendications qui ne représentent pas de réelles menaces sécuritaires. Ce paradoxe de nos sociétés relève d’un profond manque de cohérence et de nombreuses contradictions internes. Par respect des valeurs phares de nos sociétés telles que la liberté d’expression, la liberté de mouvement, la protection de la sphère privée, nous éprouvons des grandes difficultés à adopter des positions fermes et cohérentes face à des agissements et revendications (...)more... |
A ce Liban, a ce rêve
Il est de ceux qui se battent pour un idéal et qui sacrifient leurs vies. Il est de ceux, pour qui leur terre est sacrée Il est de ceux pour qui, le pays est synonyme de symbole, d’entité, de (...)
A ces hommes politiques qui nous dirigent
Au risque de dépeindre un tableau noir, au risque de faire rire certains, au risque que cela tourne au ridicule, au risque que l’histoire ne se répète à ces hommes politiques qui nous dirigent.
Dans (...)
What indigenous place names tell us by Alfred de Zayas, UHCHR retired
Alabama, Alaska, Algonquin, Allegheny, Apache, Apalachee, Appalachian, Appomattox, Arizona, Arkansas, Biloxi, Calumet, Calusa, Canada, Caribou, Cayuga, Chatanooga, Chautauqua, Chepanoc, Cherokee, (...)
What indigenous place names tell us by Alfred de Zayas, UHCHR retired
Alabama, Alaska, Algonquin, Allegheny, Apache, Apalachee, Appalachian, Appomattox, Arizona, Arkansas, Biloxi, Calumet, Calusa, Canada, Caribou, Cayuga, Chatanooga, Chautauqua, Chepanoc, Cherokee, (...)
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Editorial
2009 marked the 90th anniversary of the creation of the International Civil Service and establishment of the International Labour Organization, a specialized agency of the United Nations, with its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. A special programme of events was held to celebrate the occasion. Amongst these the ILO launched two books* providing a wide cover of the history, evolution, development and continuing programmes of the Organization in the perspective of its Century Project in 2019. They add to the vast corpus of political, social and other literature about the struggle to (...)