Tribute to James Grant

It is with great sadness that we report the passing on January 28, 1995 of Dr James Grant the former Executive Director of UNICEF. His 15 year of service was uniquely focused on saving and ameliorating the lives of hundreds of millions of children around the world. James Grant's strong personal commitment, leadership and vision was able to enact major life saving action in the many countries that UNICEF works. Realizing a breastfeeding culture was one of James Grant's visions. He was instrumental in the development and passage of the International Code, saw the need for major position statements such as the Innocenti Declaration and was the architect of the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative. Unfailingly, he provided not only the dream and the leadership but the tools and the opportunity for all of us.

One of his favourite quotations is found in the 1995 State of the World's Children,

This is the true joy in life, the being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one. I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community and as long as I live, it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can. Life is no brief candle to me. It is a sort of splendid torch which I have got hold of for the moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible...

James Grant lived as he believed.

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