The Zoom 2 meeting included among its recommendations that XUNICEF form smaller clusters of members to discuss in more detail issues on which our membership could take action. We conducted a survey of members to determine who might be interested to join a cluster. Here is a summary of the results.
If you did not respond to the survey, there is still time to do so. Click here for the questionnaire.
If you want to join one of the clusters listed below, please contact the convener.
Not counting a few duplicates, we received a total of 21 responses to the survey on clusters. Based on the responses, we are now trying to form the following clusters. If you want to join one of those listed and have not yet been contacted, you can be in touch with the Convener listed for each.
We are establishing a webpage for each group to post their discussions. If you have received an invitation to join such a group, please 'Accept' the invitation so that your emails will be correctly posted to the appropriate webpage.
Action Clusters for XUNICEF
26 responses
In which country do you live?26 responses
Do you see ways in which XUNICEF members could influence the media to improve their focus on vulnerable children and families?25 responses
If you answered 'yes', please elaborate on how we might influence media to bring the voices of the most vulnerable populations to the attention of local and national policy makers.16 responses
We can write OpEds
I think collaborative work with local UNICEF offices could be an option
Writing letters to the editors of local newspapers, contacting the local media to draw their attention to human interest stories that illustrate the situation of vulnerable populations
providing information on situation of vulnerable children, and advice such as hand washing
Local journalists often look for human interest stories - helping to write these stories; encouraging those with stories to tell to be in contact with local media; seeking the help of academic institutions whose students are interested in social issues to raise their voices
To partner with internatipnal Serbia based NGO (in Serbia I am engaged in International Women's Club) which raise awarenes and implement activities to help vulnerable groups.
UNICEF has a very strong name in all over the countries. It is only necessary to approach and make partnerships with communication enterprises for correct information in a pandemic time.
Information sharing, consultations meetings, preparing briefs, building coalitions with independent media
Media both print and electronic may prepare' life stories' on the sufferings for Corona and other calamities like flood (now in Bangladesh) affecting the lives of the women and children particularly in different communities - urban slums , rural areas etc.
By giving epidemiology based facts and safety measures for preventing getting infected & if infected how to take care, when to seek medical care and how to prevent the transmission of the disease to others with special references to high risk group like children, pregnant women senior citizens and those with comorbidities. Taking the issue with policy makers and Service providers and arranging health care services for non- Covid 19 conditions
We may influence individually through our current functions and work with institutions and organizations that involve media
They can use social media to highlight the issues of the vilnerable populations. They can also write in the local print media to highlight the plight of these groups. Where possible, they can invite selected media groups for short briefing sessions on these issues. But in all these processes, as far as possible they should be in touch with the local UNICEF Offices to ensure that there is coordination in the efforts.
Letter writing campaigns on specific issues facing children and families
1) Drafting Op-Ed pieces, 2) Serving as trainers in UNICEF-run media workshops
In what ways might we partner with children and youth groups, especially those working with vulnerable groups?23 responses
Extend and share our experiences
By joining them
Through local UNICEF Country Office
support existing INGOs or NGOs who work with young people
Strengthen their outreach and their programming, support their fundraising efforts, mentor their members, help to lobby local authorities
helping them set up forums to make their voices heard
Children and or youth organizations concerned with climate change and its implication on their survival and wellbeing mighy be crucial partners for our support
Local libraries, secondary schools, houses of worship, village and mayor's offices, local NGOS may be potential partners
Visiting them, talking pn the key problems, encourage their participation, share info woth internatiomal community.
There are almost no organized groups of children, in this case it is necessary to make parnerships with their families, through local governments. But there are groups of vulnerable teenagers and young people who need to be heard. There is only one way to listen the young people that it is necessary to go where they live and listen their needs.
By forging platforms with local self govt and social sector govt department bringing children's voices in meetings and denvelopment initiatives
Through schools, religious institutions, NGOs, mobilize young people to help mentor younger children, provide meals, etc.
draw on capabilities of child and youth related NGOs to set up forums for children and youth, share their perspectives with policy makers, and media
Join hands with the NGOs/CBOs working in the field and identify the areas to work together.
Organising awareness campaigns & social mobilisation for community actions and strengthening community systems
Through organized groups
We can partner individually with children and youth groups in case we are involved as consultant or active member of a governmental or a non governmental organizations as well as in research with universities and research institutions. As a group we may involve children and youth groups in our relevant thematic zoom meetings
Voices of children and Youth groups could be highlighted in the local media. Special events with youth participation could be held where possible.
We already belong to some groups - we need to map these and push where possible.
Offering pro-bono guidance, based on experienced gleaned while in UNICEF.
Rank these possible actions XUNICEF members might take in order of importance from most important (1) to least important (4). Choose only one option in each row.
Is there a network of former UNICEF staff or former UN staff in your country? Choose one.26 responses
Do you belong to that group or network?26 responses
If there is not an active network of former UNICEF staff in your country, would you be willing to help organize one?16 responses
Would you be interested to join a cluster of XUNICEF members to discuss ways in which we could address social issues?26 responses
Would you be interested in joining one or more of these clusters? Choose those in which you are interested or add additional under 'Other'.24 responses
Would you be willing to help organize one of these clusters or one on another topic?24 responses
Which cluster could you help organize? Choose from those listed above or add your own14 responses
Would you be willing to contribute your time to a mapping of humanitarian groups and knowledge centers, so as to allow XUNICEF link up with those relevant to their concerns?24 responses
Since you indicated interest in joining or organizing a cluster, please give us your name (first and last) ?23 responses
Any other thoughts or comments to add?14 responses
None
I think the local UNICEF office should be active in mobilizing and engaging exUNICEF staff in their respective countries
I've answered maybe for two reasons.1. Because although living in France I am focussed on Geneva, Switzerland 2.Because I am fully occupied with CHILD to CHILD (www.childtochild.org.uk) right now for COVID, documentation and trying to see if a network can rise out of the ashes of our closure through lack of funds.
None at this point
great initiative. wish you success
It would be useful to ask whether the person or the retiree group has been in touch with the local UNICEF office or NatCom, and if so, in what role or on what issue.
Great initiative, even if few members show interest in clusters, their passion can make up for their small numbers
Good initiative. Need to have more communications and interactions at the country level among the Xunicers group, Country office team and the interested NGOs.
My forte is supply and procurement of goods and services
I’m afraid I don’t see any such requirement in this survey and therefore most of my answers are blank
Walk the talk, work more & talk less
Please ensure the xUNICEFers work in close collaboration with the local UNICEF office and offer support to their work as far as possible. Doing things on our own without links with local UNICEF office could be counterproductive and result in wastage of resources.
Be practical and humble. We need to stay focused on what is do-able.
This is a great initiative; current obligations prevent me from taking a more active role. Please keep me on your roster, mailing list and mind.
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