Summer interview 2012 – Corinne Momal-Vanian, Director of the Information Service of the United nations Office at Geneva (UNOG)

August 2012

What's going on this summer at the UN Information Service in Geneva?

Summer is always particularly busy for the Information Service as we host lots of students, especially those who participate in our Graduate Study Programme in July, as well as the many tourists who take guided tours around the Palais des Nations.

In addition, this year we are preparing for the Open Day on September 15th, when we expect to welcome thousands of local families.

Holiday plans?

Yes, you have to unwind once in a while! I hope to take two weeks in August, but have not made any specific plans yet.

What do you take the opportunity to do in Geneva during the summer?

We take advantage of the long evenings to invite friends around to chat in our garden over a drink.

Do you have a place you really love, in Geneva or in the surrounding area?

La Plage des Nations, which is a haven of peace and quiet. And the old Carouge neighbourhood.

How about a summer book recommendation for our readers?

Three Day Road, a beautiful book by the Canadian author Joseph Boyden, which depicts the insanity of war. For those who want a lighter read, The Imperfectionists, by Tom Rachman is a quirky story about the adventures of a newspaper's staff over a fifty year period.