Format: Real

Duration: 3:18 mins.

Inter Press Service International Achievement Award
United Nations, New York, 17 September 1998

REMARKS BY MR. KENSAKU HOGEN
Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information,
United Nations

It is a great pleasure for me to welcome so many distinguished visitors and friends to this special occasion.

Tonight, Inter Press Service honours Graça Machel with its annual International Achievement Award for her remarkable work promoting the education and protection during armed conflict of children in Mozambique and around the world. The humanitarian work undertaken by Graça Machel, most notably at the request of the General assembly, embodies fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter and an indomitable spirit that provides inspiration for us all. I congratulate her on her outstanding achievement and I am gratified to be able to participate in this tribute to her.

Holding this award ceremony at United Nations headquarters underscores again the recognition of the United Nations' commitment to expanding its partnerships with the media and civil society. In the case of IPS, our cooperation extends back to some 20 years, during which IPS, through its unique coverage of development issues, has become a vital link between the United Nations and the peoples of the world. As we have become to associate Graça Machel with the education and rights of children, so IPS has become inextricably linked with communicating the struggles that abound globally in promoting human rights, peace and sustainable development. Along with a great many of my colleagues, I read the IPS Journal, Terra Viva, each morning to receive the news and valuable perspectives on these shared concerns.

E' per me un vero piacere avere qui accanto a me tre autorevoli e sinceri sostenitori delle Nazione Unite, che non hanno bisogno di presentazione.

I now leave the floor to my friends, Ambassador Paolo Fulci of Italy, Mr. Stephen Lewis, Deputy Executive Director of UNICEF, and IPS Director General, Roberto Savio, who will describe the important work of Graça Machel and present to her this award for international achievement.

Thank you.