Response from Maurice Strong

Date:	Thu, 25 Oct 2007 11:15:07 +0800 (CST)
From:	"Maurice Strong (China Office)" Add to Address Book Add Mobile Alert
Subject:	Reply
To:	"Rebecca Davis"
CC:	"Georges Tsai" , jmaresca@upeace.org, "info"

Dear Ms. Davis,

Your e-mail message of October 3rd, 2007 has just caught up to me in
Beijing, China where I now
spend most of my time.

As you will know, I am no longer a member of the Council of Upeace and
have not been able to be
active in its affairs for the past year or so when my activities have
been severely limited due to
illness.  Accordingly I am not familiar with the circumstances of the
recent change that has
occurred in the role and status of Professor Ronnie de Camino Delozo.
However, I can say that
during my own early period as Rector and then as President of the
Council of Upeace, I developed a
very high regard for Professor de Camino, his personal and professional
qualities and his
important contributions to the academic programs of Upeace.  Indeed he
was one of the most
consistent and effective contributors to maintaining the very limited
academic program of Upeace
during its most difficult time and to the transition that made possible
its impressive progress
since then.

While I have not been able to discuss this matter with them, I am sure
that the new leadership of
Upeace will give the views and proposals in your message full and
respectful consideration.
Transparency and accountability are extremely important in maintaining
the relationship of trust
and mutual interest that must exist between management, faculty and
students, although there can
always be legitimate differences as to how this can best be achieved.

While I can no longer be involved in this process, I have every
confidence that it will produce a
solution that will help to ensure the continued progress of Upeace
during this challenging period
that will be so critical to its future.

With my very best wishes.
Maurice Strong


Maurice Strong's Office (Beijing)

Tel: 86-10-8532-3379, 8532-3375 , Fax: 86-10-6532-5540
E-mail: mfsbj@yahoo.com.cn
2-16-1, Tayuan Diplomatic Office Building, Chaoyang District,
Beijing, P. R. China, 100600
±±¾©Êг¯ÑôÇøËþÔ°Íâ½»°ì¹«´óÂ¥2µ¥Ôª16²ã1ºÅ, 100600

Petition For Transparency and Accountability UPEACE Submitted

On October 3, 2007, Ms. Rebecca Davis, a UPEACE alumna, electronically submitted the 'Petition for Transparency and Accountability at UPEACE' to Mr. John Maresca, UPEACE Rector, and the members of the UPEACE Council, on behalf of the petition signatories. Below is a copy of the cover letter sent by email, and the email responses received from Mr. Maresca and Ambassador Mohamed Sahnoun, Vice-Chair of the UPEACE Council and Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General.

Copy of the cover letter:

The Rector
University for Peace
P.O. Box 138-6100
Ciudad Colon
Costa Rica

October 3, 2007

Dear Sir,

Sub: Petition for Transparency and Accountability at the University for Peace

Greetings. As you may be aware, members of the University for Peace (UPEACE) student and alumni community have initiated an open petition to request the UPEACE administration and the UPEACE Council Members to take certain actions towards ensuring transparency and accountability in all workings of UPEACE.

We request your attention to our petition, attached herewith, which has been signed by 273 signatories, including 167 members of the UPEACE faculty, staff, students and alumni community.

Please also find attached testimonials written by UPEACE faculty, staff, students and alumni signifying their personal and professional experiences with Prof. (Dr.) Ronnie de Camino Velozo. We believe that the loss of Prof. de Camino's full-time or resident faculty status at UPEACE shall greatly impact the quality and integrity of UPEACE programmes.

We hope that you will find our requested actions to be in the spirit of peaceful, open and accountable participation of all UPEACE members in the development of UPEACE, and shall call for an open meeting to discuss these actions, inviting the participation of representatives of faculty, staff, field personnel, students and alumni.

Thanking you,

Sincerely,

Signatories of the Petition for Transparency and Accountability at UPEACE


Response from Mr. John Maresca, UPEACE Rector:

Dear Rebecca,

I acknowledge receipt of the documents you sent me with your e-mail message of October 2, 2007.

I will study these documents carefully, and will give the ideas and suggestions they contain full
consideration.

With best regards, John Maresca


Response from Ambassador Mohamed Sahnoun, Vice-Chair of the UPEACE Council and Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General:

Dear Rebecca Davis,
I am glad to acknowledge receipt of your message and I
will give it my full attention as requested. Transparency
and accoutability are absolutely essential indeed.
Sincerely
M.S.