Sérgio Aires – President of EAPN
Every human being is special because unique and unrepeatable. That’s exactly why it is so necessary to fight and deny the idea that it is not possible to eradicate poverty and make possible for every human being to fully express this wonderful uniqueness.
Goran was one of the best examples I’ve ever known of a special and unique human being; in his case with a special reason: he was the kind of man that made us feel specials and unique.
During the already 18 years working for EAPN, in different positions and occasions, I had the opportunity to feel and profit from Goran’s permanent humour, smile and, most of all, his capacity to make us learn giving the impression he was the one learning. He was always truly interested to know what was going on in my country, in my hometown, but also in my life. When I faced a difficult moment in my personal life he gave me, in so few and humble words, the direction I should follow. And I will always be so grateful to him. He was (for me will always be) the example to follow.
For all this he will always be present in my life, my thoughts and my beliefs. And I’m sure he will always be here with his wonderful and tranquilizing smile.
Sonja Wallbom – EAPN Sweden
It is with sorrow we received the sad news that Göran Larsson now has ended his long fight against his disease that now has ended his life. It is a great loss, not only for the Swedish Network, but for all of us who has had the privilege to work with him and enjoy his company.
Göran was a sociable and friendly person who had a wide competence in his engagement for people living in poverty and exclusion and because of that he was an impressive voice and representative in many forums for these issues that were so close to his heart. He was also a great resource for establishing contacts and building bridges between the EU level and the Swedish reality and for linking to NGOs in the new Member States.
He leaves a huge void behind and we will miss him as a friend, his positive attitude and vast experiences and knowledge in our future work.
Olivier Marguery and Marie Guidecelli – EAPN France and Salvation Army France
Goran was part of the same NGO as Olivier and I, and we liked to work with him in order to fight against poverty in Europe. We had a lot of discussion about this theme and he was always positive and optimistic. He learnt us a lot about Salvation Army’s work in Europe, it was very interesting.
My colleagues in EAPN France and in the Salvation Army, as well as us personally, want to pass on our sympathies to the family of Goran. We will miss his presence and remember his commitments.
Michaela Moser – EAPN Austria
It was very sad news to hear of the death of Goran. Please pass on our sympathies to his family and friends.
Alida Smeekes – EAPN Netherlands
I worked with Goran in the Executive Committee for several years. He really was committed to our poverty message and the people concerned. If the message of poverty and exclusion got too heavy he always found a way to ease this with his humour. And indeed I/we will miss him.
Freek Spinnewijn – Director FEANTSA
I have known Göran for quite a few years and share entirely the views on his positive personality and his commitment to fighting poverty. Our condolences go to Göran’s wife and family.
Sian Jones – Policy Coordinator EAPN
I will miss his strong, friendly presence, his energy and humour; always ready to laugh about difficulties and put a positive slant on everything. When I worked with him in the globalization sub-group, he also had ideas, and was an active participant in developing the training held in Malmo with Dignity International. I’ll remember him charging about the room playing team football, as part of one of Aye Aye’s participative exercises. I never knew he could be that competitive, but with a great sense of humour. He never complained – even about his illness, hoping he could continue to be a positive actor in the cause he believed in… he will be sorely missed.
Mari Fresu – Policy and Communication Officer – Dynamo International
I did not know Goran personally, but I would like to express my condolences and sympathy to his family following his untimely death.
Kamila Plowiec – EAPN Poland
It’s very sad news. Send all my love to his family.
Claire Champeix – Policy Officer EAPN
I first met Goran in 2003. I was a beginner as policy officer with EAPN and the work was not always easy! Goran was incredibly kind and helpful. Above all, he defended efficiency a strong vision of EAPN as a network within which European organisations join forces rather than compete. All these past years, Goran impressed me strongly: in all circumstances –even under stress or problems- he remained open and cared for others. I’ll keep remembering him. My thoughts go to his family.’
Letizia Cesarini Sforza – EAPN Italy
Although we knew that Goran had been sick for a long time the news comes as a big shock. For some unpredictable reasons Goran and I often had the same flight schedule and we met many times at airports, arriving or leaving. Many times we shared a beer at the airport, waiting for our flights to leave. Many times we discussed EAPN, our working methods, our commitments, and more generally, “the facts of life”.
He thought me a great lesson: no matter how EAPN people seem to be far away from your own way of thinking or upbringing, there is always something very essential that binds us, a common ground that enable us to start a fruitful relationship, working or personal.
I will miss his presence, his powerful body that called for respect, his ability to laugh and make you laugh, his deep commitment against poverty and for the well-being of his fellow human beings and his positive attitude towards life and its many surprises.
Maria Marinakou – EAPN Greece
I met Goran back in 2000 in my first EXCO meeting in Brussels. I sat next to him and kept asking him questions, also sharing his small laptop with all the docs, because as typical Greek I had forgot all the papers in the hotel room….He was so polite..not out of ‘typolatry”, but by nature.
I want also to add a small incident with Goran back in 2003 in the GA in Lille. We had a long talk about poverty and EAPN..he was both sharp, witty and with great sense of humor. At the same time he was gentle and very humane. In simple terms he was one of those people that was doing what was doing because he “cared”… not “calculating”….
At the end of our discussion, teasing him, I asked him why he wares the uniform and he said ” why you ware a porch? … to be noticed’ he said and laughed.
I do not think he needed it for that.. he was notable for his character and personality. He will be missed.
