XUNICEF News and Views

MEMORY: I recall when the UNICEF Ethics Office was established around 2007.   There was a significant effort to sensitize country offices to the importance of all staff upholding ethical standards.

On 19 November 2025, the UN General Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution to honor the Olympic Truce, as proposed by the IOC President and the Milano Cortina Wintergames organizing committee. The objective was to build a peaceful and better world through sport and the Olympic ideal. This Olympic Truce was to be enforced during the Olympics from 6 February through 15 March, 2026, the conclusion of the Paralympics. Sadly, we know, the war in the Ukraine has intensified, Iran was attacked and fighting continued in the Sudan, the Congo, etc. No attempt was made to give peace a chance. The IOC claimed it didn’t have the power. Yet, Russia was excluded from the Winter Olympics, although allowed to participate at the Paralympics. Such restrictions, of course, primarily hurt the athletes, who have trained for years and then are denied to be part of the wider sports community. The IOC revived the concept of an Olympic Truce in the 1990s. UNICEF made an agreement to work with the IOC, since ...

Similar to peeking in windows, another guilty pleasure in which I find myself, is that of “observing” other visitors while in museums, exhibits or at a popular venue where people gather to communicate with art or explore a popular site.

While we go over the 100s of photos and videos from the recent XUNICEF reunion in Zimbabwe we just wanted to share a tiny sneak peak of how much fun it was.    

When we were in Albania (where I served as Deputy Representative from 2006 to 2011, and I believe Detlef Palm arrived around 2009 as my Representative), we were at the peak of a frenetic trend called Delivering as One (DAO). It was the latest attempt at UN Reform, and eight countries were selected to pilot what DAO should be. By some stroke of luck (or perhaps bad luck), I was posted in Tanzania, Albania, and Pakistan during this dizzying period. What are the chances of being assigned to three of the eight pilots in the world? Lightning striking my head twice seems more likely.

The Leadership UNICEF Needs Now: Systems. Integrity. Moral Courage.

Detlef recently reminded me that capitalism was not "invented." In his view, it is simply the default state of affairs: how people tend to organise economic life when they are free to trade, specialise, and improve their circumstances. That is probably correct. Capitalism may not have needed inventing. What Adam Smith did, when he published An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations in 1776, was something far more useful: he explained how it works.

Gianni and Dina met in Bologna this week to participate at a workshop with Magnum photographer Richard Kalvar, mostly known for artistic and humorous street photography. Around ten participants (half professional photographers) came from all over the world, India, Turkey, Switzerland, Austria, France, Italy, Canada and USA, and nice friendship ties were quickly developed.  We spent the week shooting in different settings, women's protests, markets, walking through the numerous 'porticis', 'piazzas', and small alleys. 

This week we introduced some subtle changes to our blog. Do not worry - you can still browse all that good stuff, as you did before. Scroll down and check out the articles that readers have contributed. Remember, this is YOUR blog and it lives from your contributions.

 

At the end of 2006, a near neighbour called June, died and it was her dying wish, so we were told, that she should be buried in her garden.  Quite apart from all the legal hoops through which her successors had to jump to accede to her wish, the owners of adjacent properties had to be informed. Luckily, our property lies at a higher elevation than where June was to be buried, but the immediate downstream neighbours were, understandably, rather concerned as to what the effects could be. Those neighbours are Mr and Mrs Windeler, now both deceased, themselves. Nevertheless, I felt the event should be celebrated in verse: ~ June ~ The summer season looms with the bounty it will bring The plants with pretty berries will soon themselves festoon, But in the Wind’ler garden, they will always ask themselves Whether June is full of berries or the berries, full of June.

This updates our earlier reports of 5, 7 and 9 March on the crisis for children in Lebanon. The death toll in Lebanon has risen to 687 since March 2, including 98 children and 52 women,

I received a stack of envelopes; each contains a challenge. I must only open a new envelope once the previous task is completed. This time I had to watch the sun rise.  Here we need to add meaning.  For a genuine experience, the sun has to rise above the horizon, and not simply peek over the roof of your neighbor's house. We had to get up in the dark, drive into the hills, take a brisk walk to a point with unobstructed views facing east. And then wait for the spectacle to unfold. Huge, reddish and covered in Sahara dust Unfortunately, I am one of those people who wake up long before the alarm rings because I worry of missing it. To fall back asleep, I started mentally calculating how far we would have to see to catch the sunrise over the horizon and not just over the trees of a nearby forest..

Thank you, dear Diane. What a lovely drawing you made of Steve and Kul in Tibet in 2015. I will treasure it forever. Kul Your tribute is wonderful. Of course my favorite Gautam moments are the Breckinridge excursion (and Binata breathing joyously the mountain air) and that trip to Tibet, which will forever remain a super highlight. I don't know whether you ever saw the drawing I made from a photo I took off the two of you, so I'm attaching it. Diane

We can welcome that this unethical vaccine trial in Guinea-Bissau was paused thanks to the intervention of WHO and NGO groups like Stand up for Science.  But the threat of more such maneuvers by the current department of Health and Human Services may reappear elsewhere.  Tom  Author: Melody Schreiber Publication: The Guardian Date: 11 March 2026 Link: Click here for the article Summary: A suspended hepatitis B vaccine trial in Guinea-Bissau is raising fears among experts that it represents a model for future US-funded research under Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr. The trial, led by Danish researchers from the Bandim Health Project, would have vaccinated only half of newborns at birth despite an 18% adult prevalence rate of hepatitis B — a disease with potentially fatal consequences.  Stand Up for Science, a US nonprofit, sent an investigator to Guinea-Bissau and shared findings with Congress warning of deep ethical concerns, includin...

Village or a theater? We are often reminded that we live in a global village and we are global citizens. People usually express this sentiment especially while referring to the United Nations and the global connectivity people enjoy through development works, communications, ease of international travel, trade and economy. The reality is that we do not live in a global village, we live in a global theater and we are actors in a global theater, not global citizens. In a village there are traditional rules, customs and systems with moral values, coexisting with civil legal systems which are applicable to all. In a village there is equal application of rule of law; there is respect for the village elders. Contrary to this, in a theater everyone acts at the direction of the Directors and Producers. In a theater there are rules too for everyone but the Directors and Producers and a select few who occupy the top tier of the theater's ecosystem are exempted from the rule. The rules are be...

“UNICEF is devastated and outraged that our colleague Karine Buisset was killed in a reported drone strike on a building housing aid workers in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo. “Karine was a dedicated humanitarian who worked tirelessly to support children and families affected by conflict and crisis. Our thoughts are with her family, friends, and colleagues during this extremely difficult time. “UNICEF is continuing to gather more details about this tragic event. This is a painful reminder that courageous humanitarian workers must always be protected.” French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed Buisset's death on social media, urging respect for humanitarian law and for workers "committed to saving lives." The attack, which occurred before dawn on Wednesday in the Himbi neighbourhood, also claimed two other lives. The M23 rebel group, which has occupied Goma since January 2025, blamed the Congolese government for the strike. No party has claimed responsibility. Drone...

With the end of March approaching and with that, the departure of some of our current editorial team at the xUnicef blog, I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you for the extraordinary efforts and dedication of this group.

“The continuous escalation of hostilities in Lebanon and the devastating toll it is taking on children are gravely concerning.

Dear Friends, It is with profound sadness I hear from Mr Kul Gautam that Steve Umemoto passed away on 2 March after a long hospitalization. He served in India as Dy Director Programs in 90s during Haxton's period. He was a great admirer of UPGI and regularly attended Retirees retreat since 2012 till Hyderabad reunion in 2019. Last I contacted him for his article for the Compendium of UNICEF@75 years. He is survived by his wife Diane and two daughters.   Anyone wishing to send condolence to the following e mail: dumemoto@yahoo.com The attached photo is from our memorable visit of Hyderabad reunion 2019. Thanks & Regards S. Ramadass Secretary UPGI

With a new team of editors being formed, we would like to streamline how members can submit their own articles for posting. It is easier than you think. Here is what you need to do.

Western media today are riveted by the immediate shockwaves of the US-Israeli war against Iran — the overnight surge of Brent crude past $100 a barrel, the tumbling of stock markets from Tokyo to London to New York, and the inconclusive scramble among G7 finance ministers to agree on a release of strategic oil reserves. These are real and serious disruptions. But these market tremors mask a more slow-moving crisis unfolding in the shadow of the Strait of Hormuz.

 

Dear friends, Further to my earlier message on the passing of our dear colleague Steve Umemoto, I attach herewith a tribute to him. Also attached is a picture in front of the Potala Palace in Lhasa from our memorable visit there in April 2015. Missing Steve deeply and thinking of his dear wife Diane and his lovely daughters Kim and Nicole and their families at this hour of grief. Kul

Accelerating Efforts to End Child Marriage Rachel Vogelstein and Jennifer Klein  Columbia SIPA Institute of Global Politics Women's Initiative March 2026 Click here for the report  Summary: A new report from Columbia University's SIPA Institute of Global Politics finds that 640 million women alive today were married as children, with approximately 12 million girls still married before age 18 each year.  South Asia holds the largest share of child brides — nearly 300 million — with India alone accounting for one-third of the global total. Sub-Saharan Africa's share has grown from 15 to 35 percent over 25 years, driven by population growth outpacing progress.  The report includes analysis by the Center for Global Development estimating that inaction on child marriage will cost up to $175 billion per year in lost productivity and increased health risks — nearly $2.5 trillion by 2040.  The authors recommend three priority interventions: investing in girls' educatio...

NO SMILE – NO TEETH  

Steve and Diane at At Kuang si waterfall, Luang Prabang, Laos Dear colleagues, In case you were not aware, I am sharing the news of the passing of our dear friend, Steve Umemoto, with profound sadness. I plan to write a brief obituary on Steve's remarkable life and contributions to share with our XUNICEF network.

 

Linked-in post  On the occasion of International Women's Day, 8th March, what do I think, as an Iranian feminist, activist, academic & practitioner/mother/spouse/relative/friend/colleague…beyond this year's slogan of "Rights, Justice, Action for ALL Women & Girls"? I think of over 40 million Iranian girls & women under US & Israeli bombardment - being killed, injured or alive to take care of others around them, surviving one hour to another, bearing witness - after years & decades of incredible resistance against the Regime's discriminatory & oppressive policies & actions. I think of our female political prisoners - the most courageous amongst us - hearing bombs fall around them & possibly on their loved ones outside. I think of the thousands of girls & women who protested in the early days of January & were targeted & killed by the Regime. I think of Zan, Zendegi, Azadi - Woman, Life, Freedom. I think of the girls...

 

If birds can live in harmony, why can humans not? Sree @dappertv001

Rebeca Grynspan Costa Rica Macky Sall Senegal Raphael Gross, Argentina Michel Bachelet, Chileǰ

Being successful and happy March 20 th has been designated as the International Happiness Day since 2012.

See attached first 4 pages about some 2026 swim locations and 6 pages from related posts at substack by Brother George.