Zadra, Estelle
Mar 25th, 2011 by Charlotte Haug
Estelle (IIEP) writes:
Working with you taught me so much, I would be forever grateful.
First of all, you trust a young (pregnant) woman to manage your office: what an example, while our societies are still fighting for gender equality. But I remember very well what you told me when I accepted the job: Congratulations for your baby: it does not matter you are pregnant I will just ask you to do your job, in time and with efficiency.
Of course, the rhythm was intensive, and eventful. I remember an advice received by a former collaborator from the Norwegian Ministry (He may recognize his words): do not worry if he starts telling you « have a nice week end » on a Sunday at 7.00 p.m.!! And of course, you worked with us as if we were a full cabinet: with a hundred of ideas per hour, you made us run to try to concretize some of these.
But at the same time, the atmosphere at the 5th floor was full of energy, where humor helped us to deal with critical issues. It is a period where I learned a lot on so many fronts, even on a boat called “La recherche” !
Now a little quiz:
How does Gudmund say good bye when he leaves for a mission: “where is my passport? where is my ticket? my suitcase? Well… good bye then!”
What do you do every morning? You start reading the 100 emails Gudmund sent you between 12.00 p.m. and 4 a.m. and between 4.45 a.m. and 8.30 a.m.
What is the only way to loose Gudmund? when he lands at the wrong airport in the middle of Africa.
Happy Birthday, Gudmund !
Estelle started as an assistant and proceeded to become the “Chef de cabinet” in the Director’s Office on the 5th floor at IIEP.
I learned a lot not only about the UN system while working at UNESCO, but also about French national culture working at IIEP. One thing is the French equivalent to what in Norway Is called “Janteloven” – I belive Tocqueville’s term for it is “democratic envy”. This means that the French to manage tensions often go for seniority rather than for talent and are very reluctant to give big responsibilities to young people. Estelle quickly mastered all tasks and surmounted all challenges – though I sometimes sensed that she was subject to democratic envy.
But then she is armed with pluck and charm, indeed alacrity and cheerful readiness to take on any project or burden. And she has a trait which counts in my book: No task too big or too small! If something needs to be done, just do it!
With Anne Marie and Emmanuelle she constituted Les Trois Mousqueteuses on the 5th floor who did all they could to defend, to promote and to protect a sometimes baffled and bemused director.
With Estelle you got two for the price of one, as her spouse is Olivier Nay. Indeed: four for the price of one, since there are also their two young children Mathilde and Théophile.
Among Estelle’s many talents is also that of her being a great cook: I still regret I did not siphon some of her receipes.
But perhaps you could submit a couple here to comfort barbarians of the North?