About the campaign
On 20 June 1955, Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjöld gave the opening speech at the United Nations’ 10th Anniversary Conference in San Francisco, California. Early in his opening remarks he said:
‘We have come here to look ahead, beyond tomorrow and the day after tomorrow, to explore together how, in the years ahead, we may be able to do better than in the years gone-by, in the search for a more secure peace and a better life for the peoples.’
He went on to say, ‘The United Nations should stand for that diversity which is the condition of freedom as much as it should stand for that unity of common purpose which is the basis of peace. Too often in recent years, however, diversity has been a source of division and of rivalries straining the points which should unite the nations in their common destiny.’
This year the United Nations celebrates its 80th anniversary and the Foundation commemorates this by releasing a selection of Dag Hammarskjöld quotes in recognition of this major milestone.
Through lifting the voice of the second UN Secretary-General we aim to inspire conversations, encourage the exchange of ideas and offering a fresh focus on leading for a better world.
‘It is not the weak but the strong who practice tolerance, and the strong do not weaken their position in showing tolerance. On the contrary, only through tolerance can they justify their strength in the face of those counteracting forces that their own strength automatically sets in motion.’
Dag Hammarskjöld on 10 April 1957 (Press Release SG/585).
