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ISSUE N°8
DECEMBER 2002
Page 6 of 8

C O N T E N T S
OF THE ISSUE

white cube IPU and UN
white cube Editorial: A Parliamentary dimension for the UN
white cube Gender issues: Are quotas necessary to have more women in parliament?
white cube Dossier:Decisions taken by the IPU Council in Geneva
white cube IPU News: The House of Parliaments becomes the new IPU Headquarters
white cube Event: The United Nations issues a stamp featuring the IPU
white cube Parliamentary Developments

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The World of Parliaments
  Event

The United Nations issues a stamp featuring the IPU

IPU-UN Stamp
IPU-UN Stamp
. After the United Nations had decided to produce a (Swiss) postage stamp to mark the occasion of the inauguration of the new headquarters, the IPU invited the students at the Lausanne school of Arts and Communication (Switzerland) to design a stamp to symbolise the House of Parliaments. The jury short-listed designs submitted by four students, one of whom was a young woman. The 1200 Swiss franc prize was awarded to Mr. Cyril Wursten. Ms. Rosaline Favre took the second prize of 600 francs and the third prize of 300 francs went to Mr. Thierry Rey. Mr. David Duran's research work was commended and rewarded with 200 francs.

"A classy, peaceful and protective image of the IPU"

For Cyril Wursten, the winner of the contest, "this great experience provided a fantastic opportunity which would probably not come again. Working on a stamp is a bit out of the ordinary, and is a privilege reserved for recognised artists. I am grateful to the IPU for thinking of our class for this contest and for giving us a chance to work in a medium that was new for us. This enabled us to explore another facet of the trade and to acquire new skills".

His aim: "To give a classy, peaceful and protective image of the IPU. I wanted to create a visual contrast between the clean lines of the building and the coloured abstract background - an interesting way to bring out the architectural scheme of the House of Parliaments. In my mind, the coloured background represents the earth with its continents and its countries, composed of different colours and cultures, and in the foreground is the house which covers everything and which gives an image of protection, security and benevolence. This was one way of representing the work of the IPU, which strives to promote peace and security in the world. So I didn't want something too graphic or too "off-the-wall", like you see nowadays, because that wouldn't have fitted in with the period architecture of the building or with the image which the IPU was trying to convey".

The House of Parliaments as seen by the other candidates:

Rosaline Favre
Second Prize

"I believe that the UN and the IPU are made up of constituent parts, all different but which come together as a whole. This idea appears on the stamp. The project is more of a graphic and aesthetic statement than one of pure communication".

Thierry Rey
Third Prize

"I wanted to illustrate the global dimensions of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, its importance in setting up contacts and exchanges between the various countries and cultures that make up our society. The IPU will now pursue its objectives with a new building designed for that very purpose. It was crucial to show the importance of the building, its deeply rooted foundations and its strong walls. A solid shell within which better conditions for all humankind can be developed".

David Duran
Commended by the Jury

"The IPU is an organisation which seeks to improve the situation of individuals and between peoples, so as to make the world slightly less unjust. I wanted to depict an organisation open to the world, which works steadily and puts its trust in human nature. I hope the house of Parliaments will be a powerful symbol that will send a positive and encouraging image to the four corners of the world for all those who do not have the good fortune to be born in a country where individual freedoms are respected."

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