Swedish Schoolchildren To Plant “Diversity” Trees

Swedish Schoolchildren To Plant “Diversity” Trees As Gift For Annan

New York, Aug 1 2005 11:00AM

As a gift to Secretary-General Kofi Annan, schoolchildren from a small Swedish village have raised money to purchase multi-variety apple trees that can be seen to represent harmony among the diverse global community.

The three trees, to be planted by the children in the school garden of the village of Tällberg in the name of the Secretary-General, each produce four different varieties of apples on the same plant.

“This gift can be seen to represent the ideals of the UN,” said Under-Secretary-General Shashi Tharoor, who accepted the gift on behalf of Mr. Annan in Tällberg, where he is attending an environmental forum. “The harmony of different types of apples on the same tree symbolizes unity in diversity.”

The children expressed the hope that the Secretary-General would visit the school next year to see “his” trees.

ENDS

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