1999

The 1999 election added Carl Murrell, serving with Deborah in the new position of Co-Chairs.

In November the Values Caucus said farewell to Alfredo Sfeir-Younis, Representative of the World Bank to the United Nations, who was leaving New York to serve in Geneva. Mr. Sfeir-Younis had done much to further and highlight the importance of values at the United Nations, and had been a true freind to the NGO community here in New York. On November 3 we held a reception in his honor. November 4, the Values Caucus sponsored an event, hosted by H.E. Mr. S.R. Insanally of Guyana, where Mr. Sfeir-Younis gave a farewell address entitled: “Spiritual Values in Foreign Policy and Sustainable Development.”

In this addressed he also highlighted the importance of the work of the Values Caucus at the United Nations

"In my personal view,
• You are the most important group in the United Nations.
• You are the custodians of values and the depository of an immense amount of knowledge.
• You are the center stage of the debates taking place on a number of crucial issues, some of which will come with us as we cross the gates towards the next millennium.
• You are an inspiring force and a source of sustenance for many of us in decision making. You are the reason why many can speak loud and clear on matters related to values, spirituality, ethics, morals and economic development.
• You are the architects of the needed institutional and political spaces for people like myself to enter into a high level debate on issues of common concern.

  And I want to thank you for that.