1944 - 2021
Dr. Edward C. Luck
In Memoriam
Edward C. Luck, 72, died peacefully surrounded by his family on February 16. He was a world-renowned foreign policy expert who devoted his life to making the world safer for the most vulnerable. As the first Special Advisor to the UN Secretary-General on the Responsibility to Protect, he was the architect and champion of the UN's three pillar strategy to prevent mass atrocity crimes.
As a beloved Professor of Professional Practice at Columbia University's School for International and Public Affairs, he mentored and learned from countless students. A prolific author who wrote seminal works on multilateralism, the UN Security Council, and human protection, Dr. Luck inspired all who knew him with not only his intellect and integrity, but also his warmth, generosity, and disarming humor.
He is survived by his wife, Dana, daughter, Jessica (Joemca), two grandchildren, brothers Charles (Terri) and David (Carla), and extended family who will cherish his memory forever.
The Secretary-General is saddened by the passing of former United Nations Special Adviser on the Responsibility to Protect, Edward C. Luck, on 16 February.
During his tenure as Special Adviser, from 2008 to 2012, Mr. Luck was instrumental in advancing the conceptual and institutional development of the commitment of the international community to protect populations from genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Under the leadership of Mr. Luck, the “Responsibility to Protect” — as adopted at the 2005 high-level World Summit — was conceptualized as a commitment by the United Nations to advance national and international efforts for the prevention of atrocity crimes.
Mr. Luck was a prestigious scholar, author and leading expert on United Nations affairs who contributed to the Organization in many ways. Our work in this area will constitute an enduring part of his legacy.
During his tenure as Special Adviser, from 2008 to 2012, Mr. Luck was instrumental in advancing the conceptual and institutional development of the commitment of the international community to protect populations from genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Under the leadership of Mr. Luck, the “Responsibility to Protect” — as adopted at the 2005 high-level World Summit — was conceptualized as a commitment by the United Nations to advance national and international efforts for the prevention of atrocity crimes.
Mr. Luck was a prestigious scholar, author and leading expert on United Nations affairs who contributed to the Organization in many ways. Our work in this area will constitute an enduring part of his legacy.
António Guterres
UN Secretary-General
With the entire UN community, Security Council Report (SCR) was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Professor Edward C. Luck on 16 February.
d was instrumental to SCR’s establishment, helping to develop the vision for the organisation and to recruit our first group of research analysts. He subsequently served for many years as an advisor to the organisation as a member of our board of directors and collaborated with us on numerous projects.
His exceptional intellect and work ethic cast a bright light on our understanding of many of the most pressing challenges facing the UN during the past several decades. In addition to being a first-rate scholar, thinker and practitioner, Ed was a gifted and dedicated teacher who mentored countless members of our community—who now serve in the UN system, in diplomatic missions, in think tanks and in academia.
d was instrumental to SCR’s establishment, helping to develop the vision for the organisation and to recruit our first group of research analysts. He subsequently served for many years as an advisor to the organisation as a member of our board of directors and collaborated with us on numerous projects.
His exceptional intellect and work ethic cast a bright light on our understanding of many of the most pressing challenges facing the UN during the past several decades. In addition to being a first-rate scholar, thinker and practitioner, Ed was a gifted and dedicated teacher who mentored countless members of our community—who now serve in the UN system, in diplomatic missions, in think tanks and in academia.
UN
Security Council Report
Over long hours of careful dialogue and deliberation, for which he wasn’t compensated, Ed developed a keen understanding of why governments might be resistant to RtoP and a strategy for moving from promise to practice with the backing of the largest number of governments possible.
d always had a sharp reading of political reality and cool sense of pragmatism, but he also had a fierce determination to leave the world in a better state than he found it. He understood that few things were more important or more difficult to achieve than turning the tide of human suffering caused by war and atrocities.
He continued to work tirelessly to promote, advance, and innovate on the responsibility to protect, and with his wife Dana developed a new concept of the individual responsibility to protect.
d always had a sharp reading of political reality and cool sense of pragmatism, but he also had a fierce determination to leave the world in a better state than he found it. He understood that few things were more important or more difficult to achieve than turning the tide of human suffering caused by war and atrocities.
He continued to work tirelessly to promote, advance, and innovate on the responsibility to protect, and with his wife Dana developed a new concept of the individual responsibility to protect.
Alex J. Bellamy
Senior Adviser at the International Peace Institute