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60th Anniversary
In 2005, the United Nations will mark the 60th anniversary of the Organization and will be organizing a number of high-level, high-visibility events and campaigns - including the Millennium Summit+5, and its related Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) campaign - as well as the launch of the report of the High-Level Panel on Threats, Challenges and Change - all of which will have an impact on public perception of the Organization.
In Geneva, all events related to the sixtieth anniversary will complement the activities planned in New York. Following are some examples of activities being planned for the 60th anniversary. It is by no means exhaustive. Several of the events depend on receiving the required authorizations from local authorities and funding from civil society organizations.
GOALS
- UNOG will use the anniversary to promote the MDGs and a better understanding of the purposes and activities of the United Nations in Geneva.
- Different events are being planned: exhibitions, concerts, seminars and a walking tour. These will take place over a four-month period starting 26 June 2005, the anniversary of the signing of the UN Charter in San Francisco, to 24 October 2005, United Nations Day.
- The highlight of the 60th anniversary will occur during the High-Level Segment of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), which will hold its substantive session from 4-6 July 2005 in Geneva.
LOGO
- A special logo has been approved for the anniversary and will be used for souvenir and gift items that are sold in the UN Bookshop in Geneva. The special items will include pens, tote bags, desk organizers, key chains and similar products.
- Questions regarding the use of the logo will be addressed at a later stage. It is to the advantage of the Organization that it be widely used by Member States and co-organisers.
EXHIBITIONS AND ART INSTALLATIONS
- International exhibition of contemporary art
An international exhibition of contemporary art will take place at the Palais des Nations. This exhibition will not only showcase the fundamental values of peace and development that the United Nations promotes, but also serve to remind the public of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Each Permanent Mission will be invited to select as a loan to UNOG one piece of original art representative of the country and its culture: painting, sculpture, video or other art form.
The inauguration will take place on 27 June (as 26 June is a Sunday) and the artworks will be on display at the Palais for four months.
- Exhibition of photographs
A major exhibition of 250 large-format photographs by Uwe Ommer on the diversity of families throughout the world will be displayed in a public space in Geneva, thus providing free access to the public at large.
The inauguration will take place during the first week of July when ECOSOC will hold its High-Level Segment.
The theme of the exhibition, which focuses on families throughout the world, will provide an opportunity for schools, summer camps, local radio and TV, etc. to organize a variety of events. A proposal has been made that a Sunday brunch be given to Geneva residents on either 17 or 24 July, or on 7 August, during the annual Geneva Festival.
CONCERTS AND MUSICAL PERFORMANCES
Various concerts and musical performances devoted to the 60th anniversary will take place during the four-month period. Proposals to hold a Peace Concert for a large audience are still awaiting confirmation. Popular international artists are being approached in order to heighten awareness of the MDGs and the United Nations.
Questions have been raised as to whether these concerts should be held at the Palais or outside. As our goal is to reach the broadest public, some of the performances organized by the UN and local partners will take place in concert halls and others in public spaces in Geneva.
Young musicians participating in international competitions will be invited to perform at the Palais.
The idea would be that, whenever feasible, performers should reflect on the values enshrined in the Charter and perform pieces of music composed in 1945, including at the traditional OSR concert on 24 October.
SEMINARS AND COLLOQUIA
- High-level round-table – “Pôles d’excellence”
High-level round-table in May-June 2005 of one and a half days for a very limited audience to be held at the University of Geneva or the Graduate Institute of International Studies (HEI). Focus on Geneva international and the UN of tomorrow as centres of excellence, and dialogue with civil society.
- High-level seminar on UN reform
High-level seminar on the future of the UN to be held on 21 October 2005. The programme could include the showing of a documentary on the history of the UN made up of interviews with former Secretaries-General, and a dialogue on the future of the UN with academia, journalists and international celebrities.
OTHER ACTIVITIES
- A walking tour of the headquarters of the UN family in Geneva
Local authorities have proposed organizing a walking tour around the main UN agencies and the Palais des Nations on Sunday, 18 September. The itinerary would be promoted and financed by local authorities and would include a competition to be launched in January 2005, entitled "In Search of the spirit of Geneva".
The idea would be to reinforce understanding of the spirit of Geneva. The competition would focus on respect, tolerance, openness and conflict resolution.
- A virtual tour of the Palais des Nations
The Geneva State Council has submitted a proposal to design and produce a virtual tour of the Palais des Nations to be posted on its website. A CD-Rom would be produced and sold as a 60th anniversary souvenir item at the UN Geneva bookshop.
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