He has gone leaving his legacy behind
Today Medecins du Monde’s family is in grief. The founder of the Organization, Theophilos Rosenberg, left for his last mission, the one that has no return. How to say goodbye to a man who was always there, evergreen and strong? How to fit in a piece of paper what made him so special? How to describe the gap left by such a loss?
Th. Rosenberg changed our lives, just as he literally changed the lives of thousands of people in need around the world. A doctor of the world, the road and the war, Rosenberg operated, treated and protected victims of natural and man-made disasters in Greece and abroad. A mighty negotiator, Rosenberg advocated, persuaded, spoke and acted with all his strength, even in the most provocative conditions and international environments standing for the human rights protection and the right to humanitarian aid. A brilliant designer and general, he designed and implemented -always ahead- unique programs and interventions combining in the best possible way vision and action in the field. Undisputed and flawless fundraiser, Rosenberg supported the Greek and the international network of GTC, bringing ideas, means, resources, energy and Word to make the vision a reality.
Dozens of colleagues and civil society workers worked alongside him and learned a lot from him. Rosenberg was a Master in methods and practices that thrilled when we first started using them and we have been using them to this day. Rosenberg brought us in touch with the world of humanism and political activism and conveyed to us his love and respect for the humanitarian ideal and humanitarian action.
He left his huge legacy. His gap will never be filled. Ηowever, his work will be continued by us, following his paradigm. He was a tough and demanding partner and manager. But, first of all he was tough and demanding of himself. Those who knew him and remember him, feel his passage through their lives indelibly. Rosenberg was not a man who went unnoticed. A special personality, a special and multifaceted talent, his achievements extend beyond the area of civil society, on a scientific, medical and political level.
We at MdM believed, in a way, that Rosenberg would never leave. He remained ageless anyway as the years passed. Something like the powers of myths, like those figure-symbols that do not change, reinforcing the relevant theory that circulated among us as a joke.
May your soul rest in peace our dear Mr. Rosenberg. Thank you for the opportunities you gave us, thank you for the trails you blazed for us, thank you for what you taught us, for what we became when we met.
The funeral will take place on Saturday, February 20, at the A’ Cemetery of Athens at 14:30. Instead of wreaths, the family wants to support the service of Doctors of the World.
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