Secretary-General, at 2010 UN21 Awards Ceremony, Hails Nominees for Inspiring

 

Others to Think More Broadly, Unleash Their Potential

 

Following are UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s remarks to the 2010 UN21 awards ceremony in New York today, 29 July:

We are here to honour staff members who have made exceptional contributions to making our United Nations a better instrument of service for the world’s people.

The finalists here today dared to challenge the status quo and to change accepted ways of doing things.  You broke out of old habits.  You realized what could be achieved.  By yourselves or as a team, you did whatever it took to turn your vision into reality.

Today we celebrate not just the winners, but the can-do spirit of all the nominees.  Every organization, including ours, needs fresh approaches and experimental ideas.  That is the only way we can keep up with this fast-changing world.

The UN21 Awards show that by putting our minds together and striving for change, we can make a difference.  When we share our vision, our ideas grow and gain momentum.

Staff everywhere, of all grades and levels, have been involved as nominees and judges in this year’s awards.  It is a pleasure to see such creativity flourishing throughout our Organization.  The number of successful projects in different areas has grown tremendously.  Bravo to all who have taken the initiative and congratulations.

We can award only one prize in each of our three categories:  greening the United Nations; improving the services we deliver; and strengthening coordination between departments.

But you are all winners.  Your ideas are making our work more effective and efficient.  Your commitment is inspiring people throughout the Organization to think more broadly and to unleash their potential.

Let’s give a round of applause for all the nominees and the winners.  UN21 is showing the way ahead.

Thank you very much.

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For information media • not an official record