Guestbook

Please take the time to sign the website’s guestbook and feel free to share stories and anecdotes that you remember from your encounters with Nadia.


The Nadia Younis Memorial lectures are truly enriching and add tremendous value. Perhaps the text of the lectures could be translated into Arabic in order to maks it available to a wider audience. Sharing the text with local and international media may also help broaden the return on investment. God bless the Younis family and may Nadia Younis' legacy be an inpiration for many generations to come.

- Ayman Madkour 22 / 03 / 2019 - Country: Egypt

What beautiful photos and what a life!. She will not be forgotton by anyone who knew her.

- Kathleen Chrisman 26 / 12 / 2015 - Country: USA

I remember a dinner she gave for 6 or 8 people in Rome at her rooftop apartment which looked like a scene out of a Fellini movie. What I will not forget is the way Nadia was serving from platters and pots next to her, seated at the head of the table the whole time never standing up, not even once. We laughed so much (and everyone remembers her laugh of course) when I asked her where she had learned serving that way!!! Oh Nadia, Nadia, such a tragic end to a beautiful life !!!

- skender ghilaga 24 / 12 / 2015 - Country: usa

This is a great relaunch . Wonderful picture of Nadia and altogether more accessible.

- Mary Gore-Booth 22 / 12 / 2015 - Country: United Kingdom

I first met Nadia through her sister-in-law Rosemary Younes (who at the time was engaged to brother Fouad and subsequently married him) in the early 70's. As Rosemary would often stay at Nadia's New York City place on trips back from overseas assignments with Fouad, I had the wonderful opportunity to get to know Nadia somewhat. She was always very pleasant, kind and welcoming. I was included in the family's Upper Egypt tour in December, 1981. Nadia came also with friends, and I was Rosemary and Fouad's guest, along with her sister, Nahed and brother-in-law and their buddies. We were on a cruise boat together for several days. We all ate, did sightseeing and partied seriously together; Nadia was the life of the party, always smiling and dancing. Although her demanding UN job demanded a thorough knowledge of protocol, she also had the ability to really have fun, letting her hair down and entertaining us all. I can't believe it has been 12 years since her untimely and unfortunate demise. May she continue to be role model for women and rest in peace.

- JoAnne Farley 21 / 12 / 2015 - Country: USA

This is lovely to read and inspiring going forward for the young women who follow in Nadia's path.

- Cynthia Newby 09 / 12 / 2015 - Country: USA

Although I never had the chance to meet Nadia, I feel that I knew her through her spirit that lives on in her family and her legacy.

- Nanci Martin 09 / 12 / 2015 - Country: USA

It is almost ten years since that horrible day. I can't stop thinking of Nadia. Its as though every day her spirit grows stronger and stronger. The laugh grows louder. The righteous indignation more passionate. Thank you Nadia for showing the world a life well lived. May the peace for which you worked so hard one day come to fruition.

- Rick Perkins 16 / 08 / 2013 - Country: USA

Nadia was my Director when I entered the UN in Rome -Italy- and I will always remember her marvellous voice and contagious laugh. She is one of the most intellegent person I ever met: I always had the feeling she was able to read behind. I do thank her and other collegues at the time for let me have had a marvellours human and professional experience in 1994. I miss you Nadia

- alessandra fenizi 19 / 03 / 2013 - Country: Italy

I was a great friend of Doddy`s from school in Cairo, where we shared the same bench for years. I just came across this site today and I want to say that I was very sad when I heard of Nadia`s passing years ago, remembering the time I held her in my arms when she was just born. I still think of Doddy and the wonderful friendship we had.

- Denise Piha (nee Heffez) 02 / 07 / 2012 - Country: Canada

I had the pleasure of speaking often with Nadia during her work for Bernard Kouchner, when I was reporting on Kosovo for The Washington Post. She was funny, smart, wise (about all things political), engaging, and just a delight to be near. I wrote many tough articles about the UN's problems in Kosovo, but Nadia never took any of it personally, and never tried to take any revenge. She accepted all criticism, deeply understanding the role of the press. She remained charming under any pressure, and candid. She was, in short, a rare wonder, and I miss her. My deepest condolences to her family, and to all the others who must still be feeling this great loss.

- R Jeffrey Smith 03 / 04 / 2012 - Country: USA

Nadia, tu es une personne inoubliable!

- Daniela Mastallo 08 / 02 / 2012 - Country: Rome

A few months ago I attended a preview of a play about epidemics that a friend, Matthew Maguire, who in addition to being a playwright is also an actor, director and is in charge of drama at Fordham University. He is a repeat Obie winner. In an extended monologue he made a reference to SARS. This immediately brought to mind the story -vintage Nadia- about how, when the epidemic broke out during her time at WHO, she insisted on adding the redundant "severe" to the provisional name, on the grounds that the WHO couldn't possibly lead a campaign against a disease named after an unprintable part of the human body. Matthew picked it up and incorporated it into the script. Nadia's many New York friends might be interested to know that the play, titled "Instinct," is currently being performed at the Lion, 410 West 42nd St. I had the pleasure of coaching Matthew as to the correct pronounciation of Nadia's surname. I'll be seeing it tonight. I wept for a month when Nadia left us. She had a wonderful, wry sense of humour. I think she would have been delighted to be immortalized this way. To all, my best -- Alvaro de Soto

- Alvaro de Soto 19 / 01 / 2012 - Country: From Peru, but mostly in New York and Paris

Dear Nadia, We laughed a lot in Kosovo, sometimes we argued, we shivered in the cold. I was looking forward to working with you again and was so pleased to have gotten to know you in Pristina. I think of you constantly, the professionalism and the humour you brought to your work and our work together. All of us are proud to have known you, I wish I had gotten to know you much better. You are still an inspiration. - Peter Kessler

- Peter Kessler 24 / 08 / 2011 - Country: Moldova

Dear Nadia, will always remain in our thoughts and prayers. May God bless her soul and those who lost their lives in that tragic event eight years ago in Baghdad in the service of peace. Fayza Aboulnaga, Minister for Planning and International Cooperation, but most importantly Nadia's friend.

- Fayza Aboulnaga 22 / 08 / 2011 - Country: Egypt

Our memories of Nadia are many from our days in NYC, but the most vivid is the day we sat around her place and watched Sadat and Begin sign the peace treaty. We will always remember.

- Bill and Anne Ronai 20 / 08 / 2011 - Country: USA

Tim and I were on that terrace in Rome so many times. What magical memories .We loved her and not a day goes by I do not think of her. i miss her terribly christian

- christian peltenburg-brechneff 18 / 08 / 2011 - Country: usa

What a privilege, and what fun, to have known Nadia. And what sadness every time - as tomorrow - we remember how brutally and stupidly she was taken from us. Someone applying for the job of Chief of Protocol asked me for a reference the other day. I thought "yes, but how could you - or anyone - ever replace Nadia? Do you have any idea how even that job, which sounds like the UN at its height of self-parody, can be made amusing and inspiring when someone like Nadia is doing it? Will you - or anyone - ever enliven those tedious morning meetings in the SG's conference room the way she did?" Etc. Anyway yes, Afsane (or dare I call you Af from now on??) I will certainly raise my glass to her tomorrow.

- Edward Mortimer 18 / 08 / 2011 - Country: UK (but temporarily Austria)

A wonderful tribute to a clearly talented communication professional who risked and eventually lost her life for the mission of the United Nations. Many congratulations to all those involved in putting this website together.

- Dan Thomas 17 / 08 / 2011 - Country: Switzerland

My Last Christmas with Nadia Eight years already since what we thought was impossible became possible. Eight years since the UN Headquarters in Baghdad was bombed by Al-Qaida terrorists. The day innocence died and we realized to our collective horror that the UN could be a direct target. Twenty two of our colleagues died that day, three of them were close personal friends, but Nadia Younes was the closest and dearest of all friends. The Christmas before that terrible day Nadia had invited my family and I to spend the holidays at her house at Vence, in the South of France. The idea was to have a fun Christmas to get away from the doldrums of Geneva where we had both recently moved. Nadia as Assistant Director General of W.H.O, and me exiled to Geneva by my newspaper Le Monde. There was nothing Nadia loved more than a good laugh, with a glass of Black Label and a pack of Marlborough red at hand. But that particular Christmas, I’m afraid I didn’t make Nadia laugh much. I had death on my mind. I was on a tight deadline for an article due for publication on Christmas eve, it was about assisted suicide in Switzerland. The lead of the article was Marie wants to die. I used Nadia as a sounding board for this heartbreaking article, I would read passages to her as I wrote. “Thanks a lot Af, here we are supposedly on a break from depressing old Geneva and you are writing about death, I don’t wanna hear anything about death and dying, don’t read to me any more”. Af, that is what she used to call me. Little did I know that only eight months later I would be writing in Le Monde about Nadia’s own death. It was August 19 2003, the day my friend died. On Friday raise your glass to Nadia.

- Afsané Bassir-Pour 17 / 08 / 2011 - Country: Belgium

Nadia Younes, the martyr of peace. We will never forget you. http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10150228262345490&oid=359621614967&comments http://www.facebook.com/pages/Nadia-Younes/359621614967

- Cairo International Model United Nations (CIMUN) 24 / 04 / 2011 - Country: Egypt

I was lucky enough to meet Nadia when I was working as a European Union spokesperson in Kosovo, following the war. She represented everything the United Nations should be. I'm glad to see that she's so fondly remembered in her home country.

- Mike Todd 31 / 01 / 2011 - Country: United Kingdom

We remember Ms.Nadia Younes from UNMIK, I had every month contact with her, regarding monthly report from DPI in Gilan, as I was working in DPI Gilan region with Mr. Jim Ocitti. Condolences to her family and to all of other collegues who worked with Nadia. We rememebr her.

- Albion Bikliqi 15 / 11 / 2010 - Country: Kosovo

Allah err-7amha weh yeh7sen elaiha. Truly, Shamel.

- Shamel Topsakal 24 / 08 / 2010 - Country: Montreal

Nadia was a friend a sister a companion, a fellow traveler. She was a very special person who touched people's lives and left anyone who she came in contact with her with a sense of joy and wonder. Her famous laughter, her sense of humor, her irreverence and her impatience with fools made people adore her. She will be missed terribly by all who knew her, worked with her and saw her in action. It seems to me that after the bombings in Baghdad,after the death of Nadia and of the others there, the war too. This world is now a much sadder place without Nadia and her brave friends and colleagues who died with her on that terrible day in August in Baghdad. I miss my friend Nadia very much, there is an empty space where she should be in my heart.

- Zuzu Tabatabai 28 / 06 / 2010 - Country: switzerland

A beautiful memory of Nadia. I have a very special place in my heart for her and fond memories of our times together in New York.

- Aly Sharara 24 / 06 / 2010 - Country: Canada

What a wonderful way to keep Nadia's image and memory alive in a virtual world. This is a poignant and life affirming tribute to her. I remember her laughter, her teasing and the amazing energy she invested into all she did. Always missed, much beloved Nadia. Mary ( and David who loved her too)

- Mary Elizabeth Gore-Booth 21 / 06 / 2010 - Country: UK

I came to know Nadia thru her sister Nahed...we went to school together in Cairo...but I also became a family friend. I can say that the upbringing of egyptian girls at that time in history.the late mid 50's was conducive to creating a strong woman like Nadia who made her mark internationally. We are so proud of her achievements and wish more girls would follow her lead.

- Samia Zeitoun 19 / 06 / 2010 - Country: egypt

This work of art is therapeutic for many of us. It rekindles the simple joy I felt in earlier times during summers in Narragansett and Sauderstown, Rhode Island. Recently, while cleaning my sister Alsion's apartment, I came across a photo of Doddy and family. It brought me such deep but quiet inspiration that continues to stay with me. With Gratitude, Renee Van Couyghen

- Renee Van Couyghen 08 / 06 / 2010 - Country: USA

My fondest memory of Nadia was her courage..Her intelligence & her sense of humour. Had the UN hired a few more people like her, we may have lived in a far better world than today's mealy-mouthed society of white-shirted politicians & hypocrites..

- samir basta, D.Sc 07 / 06 / 2010 - Country: France

With many memories of a wonderful person from a family we loved

- Thomas Pierpont Grose 07 / 06 / 2010 - Country: United Kingdom

Congratulations. This website is a brilliant idea. May Nadia's life and career be a source of inspiration for present and future generations, proving that a committed and courageous person with a profound sense of humor, can achieve great things and solve critical situations by remaining humble, friendly and tolerant.

- Hassan BEHNAM 07 / 06 / 2010 - Country: Egypt

I has the pleasure of meeting Nadia when we were all students in the New York City area through her wonderful brother Fouad and her cousin Farouk. The Younes family has been my family ever since. Let us hope that this vehicle motivates Egyptian women to reach the same heights that Nadia did, after all, the 21st century is that of Women. Arise! Let yourself be heard worldwide, for it is you that can make this a better place to live... it is you who bring us to life! Amen!

- Bibi Rodriguez 07 / 06 / 2010 - Country: Puerto Rico

This is an impressive career and an extraordinary example that will inspires generations to come. May peace be upon her.

- Atef MOUKHTAR 07 / 06 / 2010 - Country: Egypt

I had the privilege and great pleasure of meeting Nadia through her brother, Fouad. Nadia was truly a beacon of light in our world. She will never be forgotten, for she touched so many lives with her charm, her dedication, wit, and elegance. She chose the work of peace, and peace she spread. It is her grace and intelligence that still inspire the next generation to light the way to a better world for us all. We all owe Nadia our thanks, and I humbly submit mine here.

- Patrick McCarthy 07 / 06 / 2010 - Country: USA

This memorial is very deserving of Nadia whom I knew over thirty years. I am certain that hundreds, if not thousands, of people will thank her for her humanitarian and personal achievements, so I want to thank her for her work in Kosova. I shall never forget her laughter and love of life. Skender

- skender ghilaga 07 / 06 / 2010 - Country: USA

I knew Nadia in her New York days, and I can still see her, laughing in the apartment on the river, pouring us all one last drink. Only it was never the last, because there were always the stories, the jokes, the conversation that never ended. "Was there justice?" "How do we get it, where do we find it?" "And have you been to the new bistro down the street?" Of course, when the night finally ended, the rest of us staggered downtown to sleep into the morning, while Nadia--not that she ever mentioned it--would be up just a few hours later, on her way across the street to the U.N., where in fact she would actually be working for the justice that we were just then dreaming about.// She is not forgotten, she can never be forgotten. She lives on when we stop dreaming and pick up the pen, or step out the door, to the voting booth, to the streets, anywhere that justice can be wrung from the hands of the unjust. She worked for us for all those years. Now we work for her.

- Vicky Shorr-Perkins 07 / 06 / 2010 - Country: U.S.

A beautiful web site for a beautiful soul.

- Michael Topsakal 07 / 06 / 2010 - Country: USA
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