René Maheu

René Maheu

René Gabriel Eugène Maheu (born March 28, 1905 in Saint-Gaudens , † December 19, 1975 in Paris ) was a French professor of philosophy, diplomat and functionary in leading positions at UNESCO .

Maheu worked as a philosophy lecturer (inter alia 1930-1933 in Cologne ), as a diplomat ( cultural attaché in London 1936-1939) and most recently as a member of the cabinet of the governor of Rabat . Since 1946 René Maheu has held a responsible position in the UNESCO Secretariat. He began as Director of the Free Flow of Information Department, was Head of Cabinet of Director General Jaime Torres Bodet from 1949 , became Assistant Director General in 1954, represented UNESCO at the UN in New York from 1954 to 1958 and was appointed Deputy Director General in 1959. Acting Director General from June 5, 1959 to September 10, 1959 and from June 7, 1961 to November 14, 1962, Director General from November 15, 1962 to November 14, 1974 (two terms of office). According to the contemporary witness, Maheu combined all the basic qualities and skills required for the office of General Director: great intellectual understanding, extraordinary diplomatic skills and the highest level of competence in complex administration. Therefore he was often called Monsieur UNESCO .

It was his intention with UNESCO to spread a new humanism, an apolitical ethic. He left numerous writings on all areas of UNESCO activities. In particular, he tried to preserve the world heritage. Under his leadership, the Secretariat was reformed in several stages.

Web links

• unesco.org - with picture (English)