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Messages and reflections for Joke 20 Oct 2005
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We are profoundly saddened by the news of the passing of Joke Waller-Hunter, the Executive Secretary of
the secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). In reducing
greenhouse gas emissions responsible for man-made global warming, Ms Waller-Hunter had played a leading
role in preparation for the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol. We very much appreciated her interest
in the Red Cross and Red Crescent views on climate change risk reduction and her direct and informal
way of encouraging and involving people like ourselves in the UNFCCC process. Through you, we wish to
convey to her family, as well as to her colleagues our deepest sorrow and heartfelt sympathy. As we
pursue the challenging endeavour relating to climate change, we will always remember the great work she
has initiated.
-Mr Markku Niskala, Secretary General, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent
Societies, together with the Red Cross and Red Crescent Centre on Climate Change and Disaster
Preparedness
Lieve Joke, je bent er niet meer. Wat een schok om dat te vernemen. Een verre, lieve vriendin, collega.
Ik mis je. Met warmte denk ik aan onze momenten samen in New York en in Woudschoten. En de
telefoongesprekken en brieven. En alle fantastische mensen die ik via jou heb leren kennen. Je bent een
internationaal voorbeeld geworden voor iedereen die werkzaam is binnen de milieu/duurzame ontwikkelings
wereld en ook daarbuiten. Als Nederlanders zijn we zo trots op je, als vrouwen zijn we zo trots op je.
De vele berichten op deze website zijn prachtig. Ze getuigen van de grote menselijkheid waarmee jij het
zware internationale werk hebt weten uit te voeren. Ondanks alles bleef je de menselijke kant van het
werk zien. Dat is uitzonderlijk. Ik vind dat de zin van het leven besloten ligt in datgene wat we in
het leven van anderen betekenen. Jij hebt ontzettend veel betekend en zult voor altijd veel betekenen
in het leven van zovele mensen in de hele wereld. Is dat niet geweldig. Ondanks het grote verdriet om
het verlies. Ik ben het helemaal eens met alle anderen die schrijven hoe dankbaar ze zijn dat je er
geweest bent in hun leven, dat ze je hebben gekend en dat ze met je hebben mogen samen werken. We
zullen je nooit vergeten Joke, en we zullen jouw werk voortzetten. For a better world. For ever
-Ida Koppen, Vice President Sustainability Challenge Foundation, Geneva/Tilburg
The Embassy of Lesotho in Berlin was shocked to learn about the passing away of Joke. May all the
bereaved take comfort in the knowledge that there are many who share their loss.
-S.R.Kikine Ambassador of Lesotho in Germany
It is with deep regret and sadness that we learned of the death of Ms Joke Waller-Hunter. Joke was a
dedicated fighter against climate change and committed to strengthening global cooperation to tackle
this growing threat to our livelihoods and our planet. We always appreciated the excellent cooperation
we enjoyed with her and wish to convey our heartfelt condolences to her family, friends and the staff
of the UNFCCC Secretariat. We will miss her.
-Catherine Day, Director-General, on behalf of the staff of DG Environment, European Commission,
Brussels
Joke was my mentor and my hero - at the UN, at OECD and ever since. She was the most amazing, smart,
dedicated, unselfish and warm person I have ever known. A fantastic friend. Joke - we will keep your
spirit alive through our wonderful families.
-Lars Mortensen, EEA (former UNCSD and OECD)
While somehow knowing that the inevitable could not be challenged, Joke’s death still comes as a
shock and as something not easy to comprehend. We in the UN family in Bonn have lost a dear colleague
and a close friend. When we last talked over lunch we talked openly about her illness but focused on
all the good and exciting things that were still ahead. Her professionalism and deep commitment to the
protection of the environment and work of UNFCCC has always been a source of inspiration. We will
surely miss her.
-Ad de Raad, Executive Coordinator, United Nations Volunteers
With deep sorrow I received the news of the death of Ms. Joke Waller-Hunter, Executive Secretary of the
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. With the passing away of Ms. Waller-Hunter the
UNFCCC has lost an resolute defender of the worldwide cooperation to reach the goals of that
organization. About this grievous loss let me express, in name of all the co-workers of this Embassy,
to the family of Ms. Waller-Hunter, as well as to all the representatives of the UNFCCC, my most
sincere condolence.
-Enrique Candioti, Ambassador of Argentina, Berlin
I have had the pleasure and honor of working with Joke since "Rio"--and benefiting from her
brilliant leadership in launching and guiding the CSD process, in injecting sustainable developemnt
within the OECD, and effectively moving forward the climate change agenda at the UNFCCC. Joke's
concept of sustainable development as a truly balanced interrelationship of its three
pillars--economic, environment and social--was not just a philosophy--it was her operational objective.
Her wisdom, common sense, joy of life, and compassion for others enabled her to inspire and guide so
many of us who were on the same trail. Joke was our "guide"--always ready with practical,
insightful and very friendly personal advise and support. But even more than our profound respect for
Joke's professional--and I believe sustainable--contribution to the protection of our planet and
especially its people; Carol and I will miss her personal friendship and will always treasure those
special times we shared together with Joke in Paris. We send our deepest condolences to her family,
colleagues, and many friends.
-Larry and Carol Kohler, ( ILO, ICSU and IHDP)
It is a sense of shock and disbelief. Joke and I had been cooperating in different ways ever since we
first met in the Preparatory Committee for the Rio Conference, when she was a most efficient vice-chair
of Working Group II. I followed her career with admiration and I was delighted when she was appointed
Executive Secretary of the FCCC - with her broad experience of national and international policy-making
she was the very symbol of the new diplomacy for sustainable development, she was the ideal choice. We
have also seen what a great contribution she has made to promoting a global conscience and global
action on an issue of central importance for our future. Her role was of course emphasized by the entry
into force of the Kyoto Protocol, and it is very sad to realize that she will not be there to guide the
process further. All through her professional activities, she has also remained a very good friend and
colleague. It was always a pleasure to meet her and to enjoy her intelligence and wit. Many of my
colleagues here in Sweden are joining me in expressing our deep sorrow and regrets at this moment. Her
role has been so important and her personality so strong; her memory will not fade; she will forever be
part of the international effort to tackle global change. I will miss her very much, and I send my
deeply felt condolences to her family.
-Bo Kjellén, Former Chief Negotiator of Sweden, Stockholm Environment Institute
On behalf of the Government and the people of the Republic of South Africa, I wish to express our most
sincere condolences to the family and colleagues of Joke Waller-Hunter. We are deeply saddened by the
loss of one the leading figures in our continued struggle to make this a better world for all its
citizens
-Moses Chikane, Ambassador of the Republic of South Africa to Germany
Joke was not only a superb colleague, but also a great friend. No matter how busy she was or how much
she had to fight for her health, she always had time for you and you could always stay at her
apartment, whether it was in New York, Paris or Bonn. The best thing we can do is to continue in her
spirit with that wonderful mixture of energy and kindness.
-Wouter Veening, Institute for Environmental Security, The Hague, Netherlands
I have known Joke since she came to visit her sister in law Liesbeth Waller in Zambezi, Zambia, in
1976, and have had very pleasant working contact with her on several occasions throughout the years,
last time in Buenos Aeres in December last year. I will remember Joke as a very human and dedicated
person. My deep felt condolences to the family, in particular Liesbeth, and her collegues at
UNFCCC.
-Henk van Schaik, Co-operative Programme on Water and Climate
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