UNITED NATIONS NATIONS UNIES THE SECRETARY-GENERAL MESSAGE TO MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR HANS SINGER Brighton. 8 March 2006 I am honoured to join in this tribute to Sir Hans Singer, a true pioneer and titan in the world of development economics. In a career spanning seven decades, Sir Hans made an immeasurable contribution to post-war development strategies, to the fight against poverty, and to our understanding of the impact of global trade dynamics on the developing world. We in the United Nations family owe him a particular debt of gratitude for his role in shaping our work, from its earliest years onwards. The enduring benefit of his guiding hand can be felt to this day in several UN entities — from the Secretariat to UNICEF and the World Food Programme. Sir Hans leaves the most precious legacy possible -- a wealth of insights that will further the cause of development for many years to come, and the hope that he gave to the people he worked to help. Kofi A. Annan [IS.! MAR -7 2006 Annika Savill/NY/UNO To [email protected] 07/03/2006 10:46 AM Cc Ruxandra Ferascu/NY/UNO bcc Subject SG message to memorial service for Hans Singer sirigermemorial.doc Dear Sir Richard, Please find attached a Secretary-General's message a requested, along with our best wishes for a successful event. Best regards, Annika Savill Senior Officer and Speechwriter Executive Office of the Secretary-General United Nations Room S-3850D New York, NY 10017 Tel:1 2129636475 Fax: 1212 963 5965 Email: [email protected] Original Message From: "Richard Jolly" [[email protected]] Sent: 03/03/2006 13:05 To: Edward Mortimer Cc: <[email protected]> Subject: Hans Singer I think you have been informed that Hans Singer died last Sunday - after a 70 year career. He joined the UN as one of the very yearly economists, worked for the UN from 1947-69, joined IDS on "retirement from the UN" and has continued being one of the most prolific development economists ever since, much of his work and writing being on UN related topics. He wrote a piece for UNDP last year in praise of the late Celso Furtado, one of the early ECLA economists - and gave his final lecture to IDS graduate students last November, five days short of his 95lh birthday. His topic was the origins of the 0.7per cent target for aid. We will be holding a memorial meeting in Sussex next Wednesday. Given Hans unique record - and his unshakeable loyalty to the UN - do you think the SG would be agreeable for you to prepare a one paragraph message from the SG, which I might read out at the memorial service? Don't feel under pressure - but it would be very nice and greatly appreciated. Richard There have been several obits in the UK - The Times on Tuesday, Feb 28th, Guardian March 1a, the Financial Times tomorrow or Monday - we are told. P[erhaps something too in the Washington Post - as well as something in the Economic and Political weekly of India. In case yu missed it, I am enclosing the piece I wrote for the Guardian. «Hans Singer - obit.doc» This message is for the addressee only and may contain privileged or confidential information. If you have received it in error, please notify the sender immediately and delete the original. Any views or opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of IDS. Institute of Development Studies at the University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9RE Tel: +44 (0)1273 606261; Fax: +44 (0)1273 621202 IDS, a charitable company limited by guarantee: Registered Charity No. 306371; Registered in England 877338; VAT No. GB 350 899914.