UN AGENCY PAYS TRIBUTE TO HUMANITARIAN NUN SISTER EMMANUELLE

UN AGENCY PAYS TRIBUTE TO HUMANITARIAN NUN SISTER EMMANUELLE
New York, Oct 21 2008 5:10PM
The head of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (<"http://portal.unesco.org/en/ev.php-URL_ID=43728&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html">UNESCO) today expressed sadness at news of the death of Sister Emmanuelle, "a woman who fought poverty with singular energy."

"I am very sorry about the death of Sister Emmanuelle, a nun who was a woman of action," said Director-General Koïchiro Matsuura. "She will remain in our memories for her simplicity and for the remarkable energy she devoted to the organization she founded."

The French-Belgian nun, who died yesterday aged 99 in a retirement home in southern France, became renowned for her efforts on behalf of the refuse collectors of the Ezbet El-Nakhl slum in Cairo and homeless people in France.

Her humanitarian work also saw her teach in Turkey, Tunisia and Egypt, while her directness and humility earned her the esteem of the French public.

Sister Emmanuelle's death occurred just one month before the Roman Catholic nun's 100th birthday, and UNESCO had been planning a celebration for that event at its Headquarters in Paris in partnership with the association she had founded, Asmae.

In his tribute to the charitable worker, Mr. Matsuura likened the spirit of the UN agency to her life-long mission.

"Sister Emmanuelle's battle against poverty and for human dignity is also UNESCO's," he said.
Oct 21 2008 5:10PM
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