Stéphane Hessel
Stéphane Hessel: A Life of Conviction and Activism
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Full Name and Common Aliases
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Stéphane Hessel was born Stéphane Frédéric Hessel on October 20, 1916, in Barce, Libya (then part of Italy). He was also known as "Tati" to his friends and family.
Birth and Death Dates
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Hessel's life spanned nearly a century, from 1916 to 2013. He passed away on February 26, 2013, in Paris, France, at the age of 96.
Nationality and Profession(s)
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A French-German national, Hessel was a diplomat, writer, and activist. Throughout his life, he held various positions within the French government and international organizations.
Early Life and Background
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Hessel's early life was marked by turmoil. His parents were Jewish, and he spent part of his childhood in France and Algeria. In 1939, at the age of 23, Hessel joined the French Resistance against Nazi Germany. He fought bravely, participating in several key operations and earning the nickname "Tati" for his fearless attitude.
Major Accomplishments
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Hessel's contributions to France and the world are numerous:
As a diplomat, he played a crucial role in drafting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was adopted by the United Nations in 1948.
Hessel served as the French Ambassador to the Soviet Union from 1952 to 1953.
He was also a key figure in the European Economic Community (EEC), serving as its Commissioner for External Relations from 1967 to 1970.Notable Works or Actions
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Hessel's most notable work, "Indignez-vous!" ("Time for Outrage!"), was published in 2010. This manifesto called for citizens worldwide to stand up against injustice and demand change. The book became a bestseller, selling over 4 million copies in France alone.
Impact and Legacy
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Hessel's legacy extends far beyond his own lifetime:
His involvement in drafting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights helped shape global human rights policy.
As an advocate for social justice and activism, Hessel inspired countless individuals to demand change in their communities.
"Indignez-vous!" sparked a wave of protests and movements across Europe, from the Arab Spring to Occupy Wall Street.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
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Stéphane Hessel's life was marked by courage, conviction, and a commitment to social justice. His unwavering dedication to human rights and activism has made him an enduring figure in modern history. His quotes continue to inspire readers around the world:
> "Il faut indignez-vous!" ("Time for outrage!")
Quotes by Stéphane Hessel
If you want to be a real human being – a real woman, a real man – you cannot tolerate things which put you to indignation, to outrage. You must stand up. I always say to people, ‘Look around; look at what makes you unhappy, what makes you furious, and then engage yourself in some action.’
I never felt like a good Jew. My mother was not Jewish, and that makes me a non-Jew according to Jewish religious law.
I always say that when a country wins with such overwhelming might, it's bad news for that country.
I've been tremendously lucky. I went through things that turned out wrong, and I got myself out of them.
The revolutions of my century, the 20th century - the Soviet revolution, or the Chinese, or the revolutions that were fomented in Latin America, such as in Cuba - failed for the most part, a failure which was completely clear by the end of the century.
From 1967, all the Israeli governments continued making two big mistakes: occupation and settlement in the territories.
For me, true and authentic democracy occurs when the privileged groups assist the unprivileged groups to become more privileged.