The UN was very media-shy, and its relationship with the…
“The UN was very media-shy, and its relationship with the press was very controlled; although periodically I spoke to the press, the rule was, only the secretary-general speaks to the press; only the secretary-general makes... So you would see many situations where under-secretaries-general would come in and speak. I opened that, and I encouraged all of them to speak in their areas, whether it was peacekeeping or humanitarian efforts.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
He describes opening communication channels within the UN, allowing senior officials beyond the secretary-general to address the media, fostering transparency.
In simple terms: He encouraged more UN leaders to speak publicly.
Key Takeaway
Empower others to share expertise.
Themes
leadership
communication
transparency
Mood
optimistic
strategic
Type
leadership
policy
When to use this quote
- UN meetings
- press briefings
- policy announcements
- crisis updates
Key Concepts
institutional reform
media relations
public speaking
Questions to Reflect On
- Who can you empower to speak up?
- What barriers exist to open communication?
A Different Perspective
Changing long‑standing protocols can meet resistance.