UNESCO Farewell Reception for Stamenka Uvalić-Trumbić – COL Focal Point at UNESCO, 7 July 2011, The Respected Face of UNESCO Higher Education, Remarks by Sir John Daniel, Commonwealth of Learning (Assistant Director-General for Education, UNESCO, 2001-2004) // Dear Colleagues and Friends: // I hate to interrupt this lively party but it is my most pleasant duty to welcome you and make a first tribute to Stamenka. // This is a very special event because we are in the presence of four generations of Stamenka’s family: her mother Mela Uvalić, her husband Davor, her children Tea and Damjan, her son-in-law, Kris, and her grandson Leo, who is not yet five months old and has just arrived from Washington, DC. Let’s give them a round of applause. // I make this tribute wearing three hats: first, on behalf of former ADGs; second, as representing UNESCO’s partners, especially the Commonwealth of Learning where she is our Focal Point; and, third, speaking for the global higher education community. // It was clear from her infancy that Stamenka was destined to walk the halls of UNESCO. Her father, Ambassador Uvalić, a most distinguished economist, academic and diplomat, bought Stamenka her first pair of shoes when he was attending UNESCO’s 5th General Conference in Florence in 1950. Stamenka was one year old and those tiny shoes were a symbol of what she was destined to become.