Filipino UN retirees are happy to announce the launch of our book, Filipino Footprints in the United Nations: Contributions to Sustainable Development. The event formed part of the Manila-based UN@75 celebration.
Attached is our descriptive piece with graphics and pictures which we are submitting for publication in News and Views.
Of the 46 contributors from several UN agencies, 14 are UNICEF retirees. We are really happy that UNICEF's Fiipino voices come out strongly in this "One-UN" coffee table book.
We didn't print all that many copies. If anyone is interested in purchasing a copy, please email Cecilio "Ces" Adorna <adornaci@yahoo.com>. He can tell you how much it costs.
We'll be happy to receive comments from XUNICEFers. Perhaps other large country offices will think of doing the same. Smaller countries with fewer retirees can band together on a sub-regional basis.
You can imagine how complex pulling together the various pieces was over a period of several years. Led by Ces Adorna and the editorial team headed by Mary Ann Maglipon, we made it!.
Mary
Filipino Footprints in the United Nations: Contributions to Sustainable Development was launched 23 October 2020 at the United Nations Philippines’ event celebrating the 75th year of the founding of the UN. The coffee table book is a contribution of the Association of Former International Civil Servants (AFICS Philippines) to the UN milestone. Featured are the stories of 26 women and 20 men Filipino retirees who served in 31 UN agencies and offices.
Included among the 46 contributors featured in the book are 14 UNICEF retirees including Cecilio Adorna, Ma. Magdalena Arduo, Ralph Diaz, Bituin Gonzales, Ramon Hermano, Victoria Juat, Mary Ann Maglipon, Luis Mendez, Regina Molera, Wilfrido Nuqui, Richard Prado, Mary Racelis, Teresa Stuart and Brenda Vigo.
The retirees offer their stories as testimonies to the dedication of Filipinos serving the UN. The contributors combine 1017 years of service for an average of 22 years per retiree covering 70 countries spread over 233 posts. Mandates included the promotion of economic, social and environmental development, justice and equality among peoples and nations as well as peacekeeping, emergency and humanitarian programmes.
Their involvements flourished during normal times as well as in daunting emergencies. The combined experience demonstrates their shared dream to be part of a noble institution called the United Nations. These inspiring accounts convey their vision, hard work, commitment and perseverance while at times negotiating serious conflicts of interest in their missions. Through it all, they answered an inner voice urging them to render their best and make their country proud.
The idea of the coffee table book of UN retirees from the Philippines came from ex-UNICEFer Cecilio Adorna, then President of AFICS Philippines. He served as the Project Director of the book and worked with a motivated multi-UN agency Editorial team that included ex-UNICEFers Mary Ann Maglipon as Chief Editor and Mary Racelis as Adviser.
After the launch, the retirees celebrated with an online toast . All were jubilant in realizing that they could now share their stories globally with family and friends. As indicated in the book’s dedication page, they hope that by sharing their stories, it will inspire young Filipinos and their counterparts everywhere to transform the dream of One World into reality.
Article Contributed by: Cecilio Adorna, Mary Racelis and Mary Ann Maglipon
Attached is our descriptive piece with graphics and pictures which we are submitting for publication in News and Views.
Of the 46 contributors from several UN agencies, 14 are UNICEF retirees. We are really happy that UNICEF's Fiipino voices come out strongly in this "One-UN" coffee table book.
We didn't print all that many copies. If anyone is interested in purchasing a copy, please email Cecilio "Ces" Adorna <adornaci@yahoo.com>. He can tell you how much it costs.
We'll be happy to receive comments from XUNICEFers. Perhaps other large country offices will think of doing the same. Smaller countries with fewer retirees can band together on a sub-regional basis.
You can imagine how complex pulling together the various pieces was over a period of several years. Led by Ces Adorna and the editorial team headed by Mary Ann Maglipon, we made it!.
Mary
At the 75th Foundation of the United Nations
FILIPINOS RETIREES TELL THEIR STORIES
Filipino Footprints in the United Nations: Contributions to Sustainable Development was launched 23 October 2020 at the United Nations Philippines’ event celebrating the 75th year of the founding of the UN. The coffee table book is a contribution of the Association of Former International Civil Servants (AFICS Philippines) to the UN milestone. Featured are the stories of 26 women and 20 men Filipino retirees who served in 31 UN agencies and offices.
Included among the 46 contributors featured in the book are 14 UNICEF retirees including Cecilio Adorna, Ma. Magdalena Arduo, Ralph Diaz, Bituin Gonzales, Ramon Hermano, Victoria Juat, Mary Ann Maglipon, Luis Mendez, Regina Molera, Wilfrido Nuqui, Richard Prado, Mary Racelis, Teresa Stuart and Brenda Vigo.
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| The 14 UNICEF Retirees |
The retirees offer their stories as testimonies to the dedication of Filipinos serving the UN. The contributors combine 1017 years of service for an average of 22 years per retiree covering 70 countries spread over 233 posts. Mandates included the promotion of economic, social and environmental development, justice and equality among peoples and nations as well as peacekeeping, emergency and humanitarian programmes.
Their involvements flourished during normal times as well as in daunting emergencies. The combined experience demonstrates their shared dream to be part of a noble institution called the United Nations. These inspiring accounts convey their vision, hard work, commitment and perseverance while at times negotiating serious conflicts of interest in their missions. Through it all, they answered an inner voice urging them to render their best and make their country proud.
The idea of the coffee table book of UN retirees from the Philippines came from ex-UNICEFer Cecilio Adorna, then President of AFICS Philippines. He served as the Project Director of the book and worked with a motivated multi-UN agency Editorial team that included ex-UNICEFers Mary Ann Maglipon as Chief Editor and Mary Racelis as Adviser.
After the launch, the retirees celebrated with an online toast . All were jubilant in realizing that they could now share their stories globally with family and friends. As indicated in the book’s dedication page, they hope that by sharing their stories, it will inspire young Filipinos and their counterparts everywhere to transform the dream of One World into reality.
Article Contributed by: Cecilio Adorna, Mary Racelis and Mary Ann Maglipon
Sree Gururaja
ReplyDelete10:08 AM (37 minutes ago)
to Mary, Tom, Janet, adornacl@yahoo.com, Mary
Congratulations Mary1, Mary 2 &Ces,
what a lovely way to celebrate the 75th anniversary- Understand the reasons for a limited print run, especially if there are pictures- look forward to seeing it at the next Reunion! ( whenever😰)
in Bangalore, the Association of Former UN Personnel in India organised a Zoom call , sacrificing our usual celebratory lunch and drinks on 24 October due to covid.
All best wishes
Sree