Opening of Heatbeat exhibition
Palais des Nations,
Wednesday 21 May 2014, 13:30
Mr. Chikvaidze, Mr. Koren, Ms.Ruth Hahn-Weinert,
Dear Friends,
It is my pleasure to open this exhibit of children's photographs on the occasion of the 67th World Health Assembly.
Ziv Koren's photographs, taken at the Schneider Children's Medical Center, reveal to us all what is really important in our lives: the health of our children, the moments of pain and joy, the precarious nature of our happiness, the innocence of children and their dependence on us. We leave for a short moment the world of Conferences and Resolutions and become human again.
Please look closely at these photographs because they depict reality with, at the same time, a high degree of artistry. Yet their artistic quality does not alter reality but rather enhances it with humanity.
The pictures reveal that pain, suffering and healing do not differentiate between Israeli and Palestinian children and families, nor distinguish between nationality, religion or race. So is the joy of recovery.
And, I believe, we here in the UN are charged with a similar mission: to inject humanity and humanism into this highly charged political environment. Let us not lose sight of our mission and of the dependence of future generations on the work we do in these buildings. And these children do depend on us.
I would like to thank all those involved in producing and organizing this exhibit and primarily the artist photographer Ziv Koren. So thank you all for coming, enjoy and reflect on the photographs and wish the children and their families health and happiness.
Thank you.
Check out the pictures of the Heartbeat Exhibit at the UN on our Facebook page