To Speak for the World

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Dag Hammarskjöld, Secretary-General of the United Nations from 1953 to 1961, was a practical visionary. Step by step, he advanced the position of the UN and his own role in world politics. At the same time, he defined the ideals of the UN and gave the world organization an ethical dimension. He demanded the leadership of law over power: only with a foundation in international law can peace be achieved, and only within the framework of peace can human rights be fully developed. Kaj Falkman has selected Hammarskjöld's statements made in speeches or before colleagues or the media. The quotes are thematically organized. Here, Hammarskjöld's thoughts on the world and the goals and possibilities of the UN emerge. Additionally, this selection showcases the breadth of his intellectual curiosity and his creative interest in literature and poetry, philosophy and religion, art and music.