Apologies - we sent this out with a link to last week's Update - here is the correct link
News and Views Update
for the Period 19 - 26 January 2020
Memories of Jim
25 Years After He Left Us
Or take a moment first to read this note
From Your Editors
On Friday we were shocked to learn of the death of our dear colleague, Peter Salama. Many tributes arrived soon after. We have tried to collect these messages in this week's edition. If more continue to arrive in the coming days, we will include a larger section in next week's edition. Thanks to Gianni Murzi, we also managed to collect a few photos for this edition. If you can add an article, memoir or photo for next week's edition, please let us know.
Then on Saturday morning, just as were preparing to send out this Update, came the news of yet another death - our colleague, Ken Mcleod. Ken led the UNICEF team that developed the famous India MK II handpump. It is no exaggeration to say that the Mark II led the way to a revolution in rural water supply. The pump itself has since been produced and installed over five million times (Wikipedia). It also formed the base on which subsequent easily-produced and easily-replicated pump designs were developed in other countries. The development also represented a remarkable partnership between UNICEF and small industry, generating jobs and sparking innovation in other sectors of rural life. If anyone has photos of Ken or would like to share memories of his work, please share with us.
For our theme this week we followed Baquer Namazi's suggestion that XUNICEF mark the 25th Anniversary of Jim's passing on January 28th by sharing the memories contributed by those who worked closely with him. Juan Aguilar, Kul Gautam, Steve Umemoto, and Agop Kayayan contributed articles which have added to Baquer's article last week. Kul Gautam offers us a glimpse into plans by Jim's sons and the James P. Grant Memorial Committee to mark the anniversary. Kul promises to keep us updated as plans develop.
The hot discussion of the week, however, took off from an article contributed by Vincent D'Agati on a joint initiative by SAP and UNICEF, called 'Generation Unlimited'. The initiative aims to improve the availability of training opportunities for youth in various jobs skills needed by 21st Century companies. Nigel Fisher responded questioning whether the 'job skills covered by the initiative were built around current demands of companies, rather than future needs of the planet given climate change and similar challenges of the near future. Many members then added their thoughts. If you have not yet done so, this is your opportunity to jump in and join the conversation.
Many thanks to all our contributors this week.
Elsewhere in this edition:
* Robert Cohen contributes a thoughtful article from Quartz describing how religious groups are cooperating with UNICEF and other organizations in ECD projects. The article goes on to question whether the same groups may be exploiting these projects to proselytize.
* Rebecca Rios-Kohn sends us the full version of the study she led for Arigatou International on Faith and Children's Rights.
* Misrak Elias tells us of the plans by UN Women for the forthcoming Generation Equality Forums
* Horst and Isabel Cerni wish us all a Happy New Year again - this time for Chinese New Year 4717 - the Year of the White Metallic Rat.
* Gianni Murzi highlights the need for fresh attention to girls education with two photos by Nuzhat Shahzadi of school girls in Afghanistan. Gianni points out that the times are changing - not only in terms of the future of girls in Afghanistan, but more broadly for girls in the face of climate change.
* Jim Mohan sends us photos of his visit to the boyhood home of Che Guevara in Alta Gracia, Argentina and takes us with him to the barricades in protest at the assassination of a popular corruption investigator.
* Sree Gururaja shares her recent book selection - The Versailles Treaty and the Remaking of the World.
* Henrietta Fore calls on the parties to the Libyan conflict and those supporting them to use the Berlin Conference to achieve a real and durable peace before irreparable harm is done to the country's children.
* UNICEF presents its advocacy brief calling for increased investment in education. We have the full report.
* PassBlue tells us of a recent study into the children left behind when the UN troops went home from Haiti.
* The head of the UN Staff Union comments on the next cash crisis, short-term staff, and consultants (spoiler alert - the Staff Union doesn't want them).
And much more.
Please contribute your thoughts, ideas, articles, photos, and critiques - all are welcome. Remember that we rely on you, our members for what we publish.
UNICEF / SAP Collaboration on Generation Unlimited - Is It Education for the 21st Century?
See the entire set of YouTube videos produced by Generation Unlimited in various countries.
Vincent D'Agati kicked off the liveliest discussion between members when he circulated an article describing UNICEF's collaboration with the computer software giant, SAP, on an initiative called 'Generation Unlimited' which aims to address a problem it sums up as "the skills required by the market are not the skills that are being taught within the education system globally."
Nigel Fisher responded by asking, "But for what economic growth, what development, in what context and for what future?" Nigel went on to argue that, "There's something missing in this, beyond those "skills required by the market": that is, any reference to the climate crisis and the "existential threat" (Kofi Annan) that this poses to our children and grandchildren, within their lifetimes."
There were many thoughtful responses from members, including longer pieces by Yoshi Uramoto and Gouri Ghosh.
See the entire set of exchanges so far between members on this topic. Join the conversation and add your own thoughts.
Dr. Peter Salama (RIP)
Our colleague, Peter Salama, passed away suddenly on Thursday evening, January 23rd. Peter had a long and brilliant career in public health and in the United Nations. His death is a major loss to the world.
Many of our members have sent in their tributes and we expect that more will arrive as the news spreads. See the tributes so far received from UNICEF, WHO and the many messages from our members here.
Thanks to Mary Sidawi for sending us the email address of Peter's wife, Annalies, to whom those who knew him may send condolences annalies.borrel@gmail.com
Thanks to Mary Sidawi for sending us the email address of Peter's wife, Annalies, to whom those who knew him may send condolences annalies.borrel@gmail.com
See also the photos contributed by Gianni Murzi and others who worked with him. We plan to include a longer collection of memoirs of Peter in our next newsletter. If you knew Peter, please consider sending us your memories and photos for next week's edition.
Ken Mcleod (RIP)
Rupert Talbot has informed us of the death on January 23rd of Ken Mcleod, who led development of the India MK II handpump from 1974 to 1978. Rupert goes on to say that Ken and his team "fine tuned ....the manufacturing procedures and their uncompromising approach soon confirmed the MK II as the best hand pump in the world, enhancing UNICEF's reputation in many countries."
"We should not forget, however, that it was Ken Mcleod who set the ball rolling. There are millions of India MK II hand pump users around the world today who benefit from his early direction and decisions."
Read Rupert's full message here.
Juan Aguilar: Jim Grant - In Living Memory 1995 - 2020
Editors' Note: In last week's Update Baquer Namazi reminded us that January 28th will be the 25th anniversary of Jim Grant's death. Baquer called for members to share their memories of Jim for the occasion.
Here is my humble annual message on the 25th Anniversary of Jim's demise.
Warmest regards an love from Guatemala
Juan Aguilar
IN LIVING MEMORY 1995-2020
"We cannot allow the largest generation of children ever to occupy the earth to grow up malnourished,
unhealthy and uneducated in order to become the parents of another generation of malnourished,
unhealthy and uneducated and more numerous children.
Instead we must accord our children – and their future children – the priority they deserve".
Jim Grant, UNICEF Annual Report 1981
See the many responses to Juan's tribute to Jim.
Kul Gautam: Plans to Commemorate Jim's Vision
Jim Grant's sons - Bill and Jamie, and a small group of his colleagues and admirers both ex-UNICEF and outside UNICEF - are trying to organize a series of events to commemorate his vision and applicability of his approaches to today's development priorities as reflected in the SDGs.
I attach a couple of concept notes and plans in the making, more to come later...
May JPG's memory continue to inspire us...
Continue reading here Kul's message with the plans of the The James P Grant 25th memorial committee to mark the 25th Anniversary
Stephen Umemoto: Jim Grant and the Evolution of UNICEF
It may be difficult for any one of us to step back and try, after twenty five years to assess the impact that Jim Grant had on UNICEF and on the ways in which institutions, public and private, national and international, support and promote the needs and rights of children.However, collectively, it might be possible for some of those who worked most closely with Jim over his years of UNICEF leadership to craft some consensus of how he influenced the character and operation of UNICEF. How did he build on the UNICEF crafted by such as Pate, Labouisse and Heyward, and influenced by the likes of Ahmed Bokhari, Zena Harmon, Nils Thedin and others?
To me, at least, it seemed that Jim did not seek to reorganize the governance of UNICEF, or even in any major way, its operating structure. Rather his was impact on ideas, on thinking, on priorities, on advocacy and on operations on the front line. Perhaps two critical questions, are ... How was UNICEF different from 1990 onward as a result of Jim's leadership; and How is it different today.
Perhaps there are still a few with us who have major insight into all this -- Richard, Kul, Jon, Peter, Baquer, Mary, Shahida, Mehr, Farid, Steve Woodhouse and others.
Why craft such a set of perspectives and perhaps conclusions? Would a set of presentations to current UNICEF staff at HQ, and perhaps also elsewhere ... Geneva, Bangkok, Panama, Kathmandu, Nairobi, etc. help infuse a new generation of the organization with some of the values and enthusiasm of UNICEF of the 1980's Such presentations of course, probably should not be presented in the "this is how we used to do it" mode, but rather "this is some of our shared history", and how we got to where we are today.
Would this be a way of moving the memory and legacy of Jim forward for the future?
Agop Kayayan: A Documentary about Jim Grant and the Cease-fire in El Salvador
I have news for my friends and colleagues at UNICEF A documentary producer and I have prepared a project for a documentary about the cease fires in El Salvador first imagined by Jim Grant.When the cease-fires were working out he asked me if I was taking notes. We hardly had time for all the training, negotiations, getting the ice and vaccines to the right places and training the the health staff.
Jim said to me “This is the first time in the history of humanity that a war is stopped because of children”. Much later I realized that this was true.
So now I decided to produce a documentary to train young activists ( not so young ones too) in conflict situations. I am convinced that we will succeed. If any of you have suggestions about the documentary and its uses, I would be very thankful. I would also appreciate suggestions about potential funding sources.
Good luck and my very best wishes for a Peaceful and Just New Year.
Robert Cohen: Should We Entrust ECD to Religious Groups?
This article seems accurate and balanced. While positive overall, it raises legitimate concerns about quality, standards, supervision and proselytization. Robert
Read the article in Quartz
Rebecca Rios-Kohn: Faith and Children's Rights
The global study Faith and Children’s Rights is available on our Arigatou International web page. It will soon be available in Spanish and Arabic as well. We would be pleased for you to share it.
Rebecca
Editor's Note: During the Geneva celebrations of CRC@30 we published the summary of this report. Rebecca has now provided us a link to the full document below.
Rebecca
Editor's Note: During the Geneva celebrations of CRC@30 we published the summary of this report. Rebecca has now provided us a link to the full document below.
Misrak Elias: The UN Unveils 6 Themes in the Push for Women's Rights
*Gender-Based Violence
*Economic justice and rights
*Bodily autonomy and sexual and reproductive health and rights
*Feminist action for climate justice
*Technology and innovation for gender equality
*Feminist movements and leadership
Read the press release by UN Women
Read the article on PassBlue
Horst Cerni: Yes, It's Already New Year's - Again !!
Happy Chinese New Year 4717
We wish you all the best for 2020 and 4717 - the Chinese Year of the White Metallic Rat.
Stay well and enjoy each day!
Cheers, Isabel and Horst.
Girls in Afghanistan Face a Changing World - What Form of Education Will Meet Their Future Needs?
Girls Education remains central to development, particularly in times when we all are called into action to protect and save our planet.
Nuzhat Shahzadi captured some moments with girls in schools during her work for UNICEF in Afghanistan. See these and more by Nuzhat and our many other talented photographers on our Instagram Channel.
Nuzhat Shahzadi captured some moments with girls in schools during her work for UNICEF in Afghanistan. See these and more by Nuzhat and our many other talented photographers on our Instagram Channel.
Want Some Recent Readings on Girls' Education?
See UNICEF's Report on Girls' Education - August 2019
And / or refresh your knowledge via UNICEF's Agora e-Course for Staff on Gender Equality in Education produced in cooperation with UC Berkeley and the Brookings Center on Universal Education ( Note that you will need to register as a guest user).
Jim Mohan: Alta Gracia, Argentina
Visiting the Home of Young Ernesto Guevara - 'Che'
Jim Mohan: Cordoba, Argentina -Todos Somos Nisman
I wanted my voice to be heard at the public demonstration on January 18 to honor the life of Federal Investigator Alberto Nisman, assassinated a few days after his accusations against President Cristina Kirchner for treason. Jim Mohan, Cordoba, Argentina
See Jim's photos from the protest.
PassBlue: Peacekeepers Leave Behind Their ‘Petits Minustahs’
Patricia Nemeth, President of the United Nations Staff Union (UNSC), echoed remarks of the Secretary-General on the seriousness of this year's financial crisis. Nemeth went on to say, "If member states don’t pay their contributions on time, then there could indeed be another cash crisis with repercussions for UN staff — both at UN headquarters and in overseas postings, she said.
“It’s not just about salaries; even the prospect of a repeat of last year’s liquidity crisis is disruptive to our daily work as UN staff, as we are unable to plan in advance so as to deliver our mandate in the most efficient and cost-effective manner”, said Nemeth, who is also Vice President for Conditions of Service at the 60,000-strong Coordinating Committee of International Staff Unions and Associations (CCISUA).
Sree Gururaja: The Treaty of Versailles and Remaking the World (1919-2019)
by Aloka Moulik Chatterjee and Achala Moulik, Published by AuthorsUpFront, January 2019. Available on Amazon Kindle and Paperback.
This is a book worth reading as it’s style and scholarly narratives make it interesting. The book is very reader friendly and the story unravels itself attempting to make it relevant to modern times. 2019 was the centenary of the Versailles treaty and the book was written to commemorate that.
This is a book worth reading as it’s style and scholarly narratives make it interesting. The book is very reader friendly and the story unravels itself attempting to make it relevant to modern times. 2019 was the centenary of the Versailles treaty and the book was written to commemorate that.
The authors ( regrettably Aloka, the younger sister, passed away two weeks before publication) studied at the London School of Economics, lived in Europe and are fluent in its languages, including Russian as their father was in the Foreign Service.
Achala Moulik is an unusual IAS bureaucrat! She has a great way of telling a story. She writes fiction as well.
See also her recent article in Newsclick "Shahnama Revisited: Iran's Turbulent Journey to this Moment"
“Ahead of a planned peace summit in Berlin, Germany this Sunday, we call on parties to the conflict and those who have influence over them to urgently reach a comprehensive and durable peace agreement for the sake of each and every child in Libya.”
Read the complete Press Release
Henrietta Fore: Libyan Children at Risk - Parties to the Conflict must Reach a Durable Peace
“Ahead of a planned peace summit in Berlin, Germany this Sunday, we call on parties to the conflict and those who have influence over them to urgently reach a comprehensive and durable peace agreement for the sake of each and every child in Libya.”
Read the complete Press Release
Addressing the Learning Crisis
A key factor that affects quality of education is the availability of public funding. Under-investment in education can result in several conditions that negatively impact how and what children learn.UNICEF's latest advocacy brief presents data and analysis on education funding from 42 countries and highlights major disparities in the distribution of public education funding. The brief notes that the lack of resources available for the poorest children is exacerbating a crippling learning crisis, as schools fail to provide quality education for their students.
It calls on governments and key stakeholders to urgently address equity in education funding and presents specific actions required to achieve equitable quality education for every child.
Faith-based Philanthropy - The Mobilization Capacity of Religion |
There is broad consensus among FBOs/FIOs that UNICEF has a competitive advantage in mobilizing resources in emergency situations and delivering humanitarian responses. UNICEF brings added value and unique reach, efficiency and expertise in delivering life-saving assistance, and should consider prioritizing humanitarian response as an entry point with FBOs/FIOs.
Other opportunities include creating pathways to ultra-high-net-worth individuals, pledge donors and leveraging UNICEF's global reach.
Unlocking the fundraising potential of FBOs/FIOs is one means to advancing the goals of UNICEF's Private Sector IMPACT Plan 2018–2021, and the organization will allocate further resources to accelerate fundraising from these actors.
PassBlue: Peacekeepers Leave Behind Their ‘Petits Minustahs’
Editor's Note: The"Mission des Nations Unies pour la stabilisation en Haïti" was abbreviated as "MINUSTAH". It operated from 2004 to 2017 with some 2,366 military personnel and 2,533 police, supported by international civilian personnel, a local civilian staff and United Nations Volunteers. Its military component was headed by the Brazilian Army. (Wikipedia).
This article in PassBlue is one of several we have carried on the children left behind, the cholera epidemic and other issues still not addressed by the UN following MINUSTAH's departure.
"Lacking access to education and employment, many women and girls are drawn into transactional sex with peacekeepers in exchange for food and money. Inevitably, some pregnancies result, and the UN's response is to simply send the implicated peacekeepers back to their home countries, leaving women to raise their children without the imagined support or assistance. These children typically grow up without access to education, thus perpetuating a cycle of poverty."
Robert Cohen: Head of Staff Union Echoes SG in Predicting Another Cash Crisis
Patricia Nemeth, President of the United Nations Staff Union (UNSC), echoed remarks of the Secretary-General on the seriousness of this year's financial crisis. Nemeth went on to say, "If member states don’t pay their contributions on time, then there could indeed be another cash crisis with repercussions for UN staff — both at UN headquarters and in overseas postings, she said.
“It’s not just about salaries; even the prospect of a repeat of last year’s liquidity crisis is disruptive to our daily work as UN staff, as we are unable to plan in advance so as to deliver our mandate in the most efficient and cost-effective manner”, said Nemeth, who is also Vice President for Conditions of Service at the 60,000-strong Coordinating Committee of International Staff Unions and Associations (CCISUA).
On short-term staffing Nemeth said that such hires were sometimes needed for specific needs, but that the Staff Union wants all staff working for the UN to be full-fledged employees, with a contract. On consultants, she said that "we welcome the General Assembly's instruction that the Organization should use its in-house capacity.
Read the full article in IPS
Read the full article in IPS
NY Times: When Will Corporations Finally Address Climate Change?
Answer - when they start to see the real profits ahead.
Microsoft joined other corporations this week in declaring its intention to work towards a carbon neutral future. In addition to pledging to "remove from the environment all the carbon the company has emitted either directly or by electrical consumption since it was founded in 1975," the company indicated plans to create a $1 billion climate innovation fund. This follows the announcement last week by BlackRock CEO, Larry Fink, that his investment firm would make climate change the centerpoint of its investment strategy.
The real question, however, is whether companies come to recognize the potential profits in green-tech investments. Recent reports outline a multitrillion-dollar opportunity in the years ahead in a variety of areas, including battery storage, urban mobility, renewables, software and artificial intelligence to help us understand climate data, the food production ecosystem and even the way we construct our buildings, which is a surprisingly major contributor to the greenhouse-gas problem.
Microsoft joined other corporations this week in declaring its intention to work towards a carbon neutral future. In addition to pledging to "remove from the environment all the carbon the company has emitted either directly or by electrical consumption since it was founded in 1975," the company indicated plans to create a $1 billion climate innovation fund. This follows the announcement last week by BlackRock CEO, Larry Fink, that his investment firm would make climate change the centerpoint of its investment strategy.
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