Dr. Ralph Bunche, the veteran UN official and Nobel Peace Prize laureate (UN Photo)

By Gary Raynaldo    DIPLOMATIC  TIMES

UNITED  NATIONS   –   NEW  YORK  –  Dr. Ralph J. Bunche was one of the greatest peacemakers in contemporary history. Bunche is often referred to as the father of diplomacy. As an African American, Bunche’s accomplishments in the world of peace are mind boggling. In 1950,  Bunche was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for negotiating the 1949 Armistice Agreements between Israel and four Arab states. He was the first African American and person of color to receive the award, long before Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  However, some feel Dr. Bunche  has not  been given the honor he truly deserves by having more frequent exhibits at the UN honoring his diplomatic accomplishments. But his contributions to world peace , diplomacy and shaping the UN are greatly appreciated at the  world body. 

“I think anyone who is a student of international affairs, a student of the UN can only be in awe of the work of Ralph Bunche.  His dedication, his creativity, in shaping the United Nations as it is today, in taking the ideals that were signed on the Charter in 1945 and adapting them, in a sense, to the real world.  And I think we can only honour that.  More can always be done.  I feel that we refer to him… I think we refer to him often.  He is remembered, thanks to the City of New York, by a park across the street, but I think you cannot talk about the history or the past or even the future of the United Nations without recognizing Ralph Bunche’s contributions, without which we would not have the UN we have today.”

-Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the UN Secretary-General  said June 22, 2021

U.S. Postal Service Issues Stamp Honouring Ralph Bunche Jan. 12, 1982.  Ralph Bunche’s widow, Ruth, and Secretary-General Javier PEREZ de CUELLAR pose with a framed enlargement of the new stamp during the ceremonies at the United Nations (UN Photo)

Exhibit Opening: The Life and United Nations Career of Ralph Johnson Bunche  Oct. 24, 2003.     The exhibit, “”The Life and United Nations career of Ralph Johnson Bunche””, opened at UN Headquarters, commemorating Dr. Ralph J. Bunche’s Centenary 2003-2004. Secretary-General Kofi Annan (left) addressing the opening reception this evening. Also present from right to left:  Sir Brian Urquhart, a former Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations and author of “”Ralph Bunche: An American Life””; Shashi Tharoor, Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information and Thomas Weiss, Director, Ralph Bunche Institute for International Studies. (UN Photo)

Credit: UN Photo / /Yutaka Nagata /  American civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his wife Coretta are greeted by Ralph J. Bunche,  (right) United Nations Under-Secretary, at the United Nations, New York City, New York, Dec. 04, 1964.   One of Dr. King’s mentors was Ralph Bunche, a professor at Howard University and diplomat who served at the US State Department and United Nations.

Dr. Ralph Bunche’s  Diplomatic Work Helped Shape Some of the Most Significant Moments of 20th Century

In February 2020,  Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield (now  current US Ambassador to the UN)  moderated a panel featuring Ralph J. Bunche III, UCLA Professor Dr. Kal Raustiala, and Howard University Professor Dr. Ravi Perry, which highlighted Dr. Bunche’s life and contributions to U.S. society and international diplomacy.

“He sought liberation at home as well as abroad. He broke down barriers, not just in the context of civil rights, but also in the context of global world challenges.”  

-Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield

(U.S. Ambassador to United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield (UN Photo)

Madame Thomas-Greenfield also said Mr. Bunche was, and remains, “a giant in the diplomatic arena that we all should aspire to.”  Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield also stated that Mr. Bunche was a pioneer in every sense.

“The first African American to hold a doctorate in political science from and American institution. The first African American to desk officer at the (U.S.) State Department. The first African American to win the Nobel Peace Prize. But beyond these labels and identity markers, Dr. Bunche is an exemplar, not only for his contributions domestically to civil rights, but also because of his contributions as a diplomat and an advocate for international diplomacy.”