Malcolm Taaffe wants to create a tourist attraction that also will be a tool to teach America's children about the world peace-keeping organization.
By DONG-PHUONG NGUYEN
Published April 12, 2004
TAMPA - When he was a schoolboy from the Bronx, Malcolm Taaffe took a field trip to the United Nations in New York City. Inside, he saw mementos from countries from around the world, like a gas mask used in wartime.
He got goose bumps.
"It just did something to me," said Taaffe, now 46. "I was in awe."
In 1999, more than 30 years later, Taaffe returned to the United Nations and saw the same displays. Nothing had changed. His goose bumps returned.
The visit made such an impact, Taaffe dreamed up a project he hopes will elicit goose bumps for children all over the country.
With the endorsement of the United Nations, Taaffe is raising money to bring the world peace-keeping organization to schoolchildren around America.
The senior vice president of Morgan Stanley in Tampa wants to raise $1.5-million from corporations and private donors to build and send a 53-foot mobile classroom on tour by September.
"A lot of people will never get the chance to see the United Nations and to learn about its mission," Taaffe said. "I want to change that."
He says the perception by some that the United Nations is "a waste of space," is due to a lack of education.
That's why he wants to create a tourist attraction that will also serve as an educational tool.
Given the situation in Iraq and the war on terror, Taaffe believes the timing couldn't be better to spotlight the U.N.'s role.
Plans for the truck, called the United Nations Mobile Education Centre, are on the drawing board.
Inside, a theater that seats 30 will highlight the U.N.'s accomplishments and explain its charge. On the screen, U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan will talk about peace-keeping in today's world.
Students will be given passports to move between kiosks that will detail the six organs of the U.N.: the International Court of Justice, Security Council, General Assembly, Economic and Social Council, Trusteeship Council and Secretariat.
Recently, Taaffe applied for a patent on a machine that will blow a puff of smoke in the shape of a peace sign from atop the vehicle every five minutes.
The non-profit U.N.-mobile will first visit cities like New York, Chicago, San Francisco, and of course, Tampa. Admission will be free.
Taaffe's original idea for promoting the U.N. was to lead an effort to redesign its welcome center in New York - the same one he toured as a child. But it was difficult to get all 191 nations to agree on a concept. He then turned to Hillsborough County's flagship library downtown, which he thought would be the perfect site for a U.N. welcome center.
Then he saw a NASA vehicle at the Florida State Fair. Its interactive tour and colorful exterior were inspiration for Taaffe's current project. So why is a successful wealth adviser and father of four devoting his time to the U.N.?
"I really can't explain it," Taaffe said. "When I stepped into the (United Nations) building, and saw the displays behind Plexiglas, the General Assembly, it just moved me."
He also points to the teacher of human spirit and mythology and master storyteller, Joseph Campbell, and his inspirational speech about "following your bliss" and fulfilling your passion.
"To be truly in your bliss, it's what you need to be doing," Taaffe said. "This is what I need to be doing. I'm really in awe. For me, that's my reward."
And with talk about his bliss come more goose bumps.
