Meeting with the ‘Network of UNICEF’s Former Staff’
24 April 2019
3:00 to 4:00 pm
UNICEF 6th floor conference room
Participants:
UNICEF: Nicolas Pron, Michelle Siegel, Ruthia Yi
Former UNICEF Staff: Sheila Barry, Malika Abrous, Tom McDermott, Adhiratha Keefe, Mary Racelis, Jayhee Wilder, Alan Court, Tony Hewitt
Discussion points
Update on draft X-Unicef Network / UNICEF Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
Mary presented the draft MOU, noting that while the substance will remain as it is a few editorial changes are to come before it is submitted to UNICEF for review. The MOU was informed by a survey of former UNICEF staff. The consensus as expressed in the MOU is a recognition of the value that former staff can offer and a desire to have a more substantive relationship with the Organization. The MOU offers recommendations for systematizing the relationship through communication and collaboration.
As advised by Nicolas, the group agreed that the draft MOU will be reviewed by OED and the Office of Legal Affairs (OLA). Various Divisions (DHR, ITCD, DOC) are to be consulted on the feasibility of the action points described therein.
Regarding the status of formalization.
It had been agreed in the prior meeting of this group in August 2018 (attached) that the group would be
formalized into an organizational entity. Per the draft MOU the retirees group refers to itself as “the
Network of UNICEF’s Former Staff”. Until a formal entity is decided, the “The Network” will set up a
provisional committee made up of the members who attended today’s meeting.
It was noted by Adhiratha that formalization modalities may have been considered in the past by the OLA and the Network welcomes its further advice.
Update on X-UNICEF activities
The group has planned its annual reunion for 14 September 2019 and extended an invitation to Nicolas.
Planning will take into account the GA session held in September.
Update on CRC30
Nicolas provided an update on CRC30 activities, with an overview of processes with the UN and Member States thus far, including the mandate for a high level CRC30 meeting, the appointment of the
ambassadors of Pakistan and Bulgaria as facilitators, and the rationale for the two-pronged approach
(comprised of a high-level meeting with Heads of State/Government during UNGA in September and a
UN Virtual Summit on 20 November, joined up with national summits).
UNICEF colleagues are working closely with the co-facilitators, with the ambassador of El Salvador
(facilitating the SDG Summit during UNGA in September), with the Group of Friends of Children and the SDGs, and with child focused agency partners to advance the CRC30 agenda with Member States.
Once the modalities resolution is decided, an update will be sent to the Network for their information and their potential support.
Regarding the value of the Network
The group comprises 780 members who offer advanced knowledge of the Organization and its history,
such knowledge is seen as a potential valuable contribution to the shaping of policy and building the
historical record.
Many members are willing to work pro bono. In describing its power to advocate, the group recalled its
campaign on behalf of the imprisoned Bacquer Namazi, where its members in countries from time zones around the world posted messages via social media progressively to appeal for his release from custody.
The Network offered to promote the CRC30th anniversary on 20 November with a similar campaign.
The group noted that organizational history has been neglected, as demonstrated by the dismantling of
the archives in 2006, and institutional knowledge has not been sufficiently valued, at the expense of the
efficiency of the organization, where it seems that new staff members reinvent the wheel rather than utilizing lessons learned.
The group discussed progress of the archives since 2006; the Organization has prioritized Enterprise
Content Management and invested significant resources to establish a contemporary digital document
management system which incorporates archives. More details on this system and how the Network can contribute will be forthcoming.
Next steps
• The Network will update its draft MOU and share with UNICEF.
• The MOU will be reviewed internally with various Divisional stakeholders mentioned above.
• Upon decision by Member States, final CRC30 plans to be shared with the Network.
• Update on the ECM project to be shared with the Network
• The date of the next meeting is to be determined.
Other matters
We extend our apologies to members of the X-UNICEF Network who were unable to call-in to the meeting due to technical difficulties with the conference call system.
Update on X-UNICEF activities
The group has planned its annual reunion for 14 September 2019 and extended an invitation to Nicolas.
Planning will take into account the GA session held in September.
Update on CRC30
Nicolas provided an update on CRC30 activities, with an overview of processes with the UN and Member States thus far, including the mandate for a high level CRC30 meeting, the appointment of the
ambassadors of Pakistan and Bulgaria as facilitators, and the rationale for the two-pronged approach
(comprised of a high-level meeting with Heads of State/Government during UNGA in September and a
UN Virtual Summit on 20 November, joined up with national summits).
UNICEF colleagues are working closely with the co-facilitators, with the ambassador of El Salvador
(facilitating the SDG Summit during UNGA in September), with the Group of Friends of Children and the SDGs, and with child focused agency partners to advance the CRC30 agenda with Member States.
Once the modalities resolution is decided, an update will be sent to the Network for their information and their potential support.
Regarding the value of the Network
The group comprises 780 members who offer advanced knowledge of the Organization and its history,
such knowledge is seen as a potential valuable contribution to the shaping of policy and building the
historical record.
Many members are willing to work pro bono. In describing its power to advocate, the group recalled its
campaign on behalf of the imprisoned Bacquer Namazi, where its members in countries from time zones around the world posted messages via social media progressively to appeal for his release from custody.
The Network offered to promote the CRC30th anniversary on 20 November with a similar campaign.
The group noted that organizational history has been neglected, as demonstrated by the dismantling of
the archives in 2006, and institutional knowledge has not been sufficiently valued, at the expense of the
efficiency of the organization, where it seems that new staff members reinvent the wheel rather than utilizing lessons learned.
The group discussed progress of the archives since 2006; the Organization has prioritized Enterprise
Content Management and invested significant resources to establish a contemporary digital document
management system which incorporates archives. More details on this system and how the Network can contribute will be forthcoming.
Next steps
• The Network will update its draft MOU and share with UNICEF.
• The MOU will be reviewed internally with various Divisional stakeholders mentioned above.
• Upon decision by Member States, final CRC30 plans to be shared with the Network.
• Update on the ECM project to be shared with the Network
• The date of the next meeting is to be determined.
Other matters
We extend our apologies to members of the X-UNICEF Network who were unable to call-in to the meeting due to technical difficulties with the conference call system.
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