9 hours ago
Thank you Ian, About the music you mentioned, it should this time be George Frederic Händel's "Water Music" 🎶
Ken Gibbs commented on "Death and Destruction : Detlef Palm"
20 hours ago
You might want also to watch China over this. In a BBC interview on Feb 23rd, just before the invasion started, a Chinese official was asked if China would support Russia if it invaded Ukraine ? The official said that they would. Immediately, the BBC interviewer asked if China was going to invade Taiwan knowing that if they support Russia over Ukraine, then Russia would support them over an invasion of Taiwan. . . . . Food for thought ?
Leon Shestani commented on "Death and Destruction : Detlef Palm"
21 hours ago
Well said! All true, sadly.
Unknown commented on "Death and Destruction : Detlef Palm"
23 hours ago
Imagine there's no countries It isn't hard to do Nothing to kill or die for And no religion too And all we are saying, is: Give Peace a Chance John Ono Lennon, 1970-71
Unknown commented on "Death and Destruction : Detlef Palm"
23 hours ago
A good observation on the failings of the international system. But Ukraine--after all, the victim-- with its own mourning mothers and dead fathers, sons, brothers, daughters, etc. seems oddly overlooked.
Unknown commented on "Death and Destruction : Detlef Palm"
24 hours ago
We thought history changed in early 1991 with the collapse of Soviet area/chapter .....and we thought it couldn't happen, impossible in 2022 and yet…......Unbelievable
Ian MacLeod commented on "Building Calyndrix, my Gaff-Rigged Yawl: Ronald van Dijk"
Yesterday
Wow Ronald what a masterful project and congratulations. Thanks for sharing your joy with us.. although I was hoping for your flute playing in the background to the YouTube clip!
Fouad Kronfol commented on "Soliloquy of a Postage Stamp #43: Man vs. Mosquito - The World United Against Malaria / Fouad Kronfol"
2 days ago
Corrigendum...In the first para. the number of countries issuing malaria stamps that I have acquired is 61 not 81.
Fouad Kronfol commented on "New Boss, New Priorities - Four Years Later on EDFore's Shift in Priorities"
Feb 23, 2022
An interesting collection of comments by XUNICEF network. It might be useful to amalgamate these into a "suggested list of actions for UNICEF" and send them to the new ExDir. as she starts to formulate her strategy and priorities for the organization over the period of her tenure.
Fouad Kronfol commented on "The evolution of global poverty, 1990-2030 : Brookings Institute / Anis Salem"
Feb 23, 2022
Very good analysis which shows the positive side of reduction in global poverty. The interesting and operative part is the last para. which indicates that poor countries have segments of the population who are rich, while the medium income countries have large numbers of poor. Isn't this one indication for targeting UNICEF attention, programmes and funds to these locations as one of the organization's priorities in meeting SDG's in 2030 ?
Feb 23, 2022
Thanks Doreen. Remembering when some of us were kids and we saw comics with Dick Tracy talking on his wrist watch, we figured wow. Now we have face time on all our gadgets. I don't know if I will be around for future gadgets, but it is fun trying to keep up with our 8 year old grandchildren. Keep up the good work. All the best. Jim
Feb 23, 2022
Thank you all for your kind and encouraging comments about my life in Venice. There is renewed interest in small group workshops for watercolourists (beginners to experts), so private message me via my email peterldelahaye@hotmail.com if you would like to arrange a short one held from my Venice studio.
Paula Claycomb commented on "Guy Callendar was the first to connect human activities to global warming : The Conversation / Baquer Namazi"
Feb 21, 2022
Dear Baquer and colleagues, Thanks for sharing this article. It came to my attention this morning in The Conversation's newsletter, too! Very interesting history. Like so much else, we KNOW about things -- disease, climate change, etc -- but cannot seem to bring ourselves to accept it. That's one reason why, in UNICEF, in Social and Behaviour Change Communication (or C4D), practitioners emphasized the importance of "going after" not only people's level of knowledge, but also their attitudes and practices! You can know something but still deny it... Paula
Feb 21, 2022
This is so funny. It made me laugh out loud. Who ever that made this funny conversation between a human person and the machine is brilliant. Thank you Doreen for sharing! Gulbadan
Feb 21, 2022
Brilliant, Doreen. It sounds feasible.
Unknown commented on "Where I live: Madrid : Luis Oliveros"
Feb 21, 2022
Gracias Luis , que alegria saber de ti y tu amada tierra , te recordamos con cariño
Feb 21, 2022
This raises a number of issues: I personally feel that the rush to invest in or sell off NFTs may be a bit premature. By virtue of their digital makeup it would seem easy to craft a near duplicate which can be proven to be different and thus not affecting copyright. If a child’s expression is sufficient to make an NFT, a different child with a somewhat different expression might become more appealing and thus reduce the value of the original NFT leading one to think that they are ephemeral. Or of possibly highly variable value. Is this the sort of item which UNICEF should be trying to exploit ? I am unclear who regulates NFTs ? In a case where there is a debate about ownership or the appropriate use to which an NFT is put, whose laws will be used to adjudicate ? With respect to the Congolese statue (separate from the NFT debate), I have to declare an interest. I was born African and how Africans deal with spirits and ancestors is very different from the way in which western societies handle them. Where artefacts have a religious or cultural significance, one would expect that western societies would take a sympathetic view of the impact of the loss of such an item and work out how to accommodate its loan or return to where it has significance. One thinks of Benin Bronzes and the Elgin Marbles which play to some of the same sensitivities. Just a passing thought: In this digital age, we are able to scan an artefact very precisely and use the scanned data to re-create an identical object. If the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts (VMFA) which has suddenly become coy about sharing the Congolese statue with the White Cube, then it would seem simple for them to clone two copies of the statue – one for themselves and one to be loaned to other institutions (naturally for money), paving the way for the original to be returned to where it has local significance. Now, why didn’t we think of this before ?
Feb 21, 2022
Dear Detlef, thank you so much for your response. I will try to find his email and contact him directly. The majority of 35 million, especially children and women are under the threat of starvation, death and all sorts of abuse. 65 years is UNICEF’s efforts will be meaningless if this situation is not changed for better. All the best. Gulbadan
Feb 21, 2022
Dear Gulbadan, I am not sure that Mohamad Ag Ayoya is reading XUNICEF News and Views. I recommend to email him directly.
Feb 20, 2022
For the past several months, almost on a weekly basis, I read in the media that fathers in different provinces of Afghanistan sell their kidneys so they can provide food for their family. Worst than kidney selling is fathers selling their little girls as young as six months old in order to feed the remaining of their children. This is so unbelievably disturbing. If true this is so inhuman. So far I only read about girls being sold. As an Afghan I know child marriages are common. Girls at age 13 is married to a man older than her father sometimes as second, third or fourth wife but selling babies and girl children for food was unheard of until now. I respectfully request the new UNICEF Representative to Afghanistan to investigate this matter and take corrective action to stop starvation and to protect the precious lives of UNICEF’s mandate. I know Talibans will lie repeatedly and blame these as “false news” on western media and on their enemies. Please this matter is urgent and very crucial. With gratitude and respect, Gulbadan Habibi
Feb 20, 2022
Robert, I agree and appreciate your insightful commentary. As much as I admire your position I fear until we can address the many underlying issues you point to, including the real elephant in the room (aberrant human behaviour), my cynicism has me believe it will take something revolutionary to alter the current course of humanity.
Feb 20, 2022
Mehr, Congratulations on such an engaging interview. You certainly whet my appetite and I can't wait to delve into your newly published book 'Between Two Worlds" to read more .... life.
Doreen Lobo commented on "10 Questions: Thomas Haettenschwiller"
Feb 20, 2022
Hey Thomas! Well said. Glad to see that age has not dulled your forthright talk! I recall a talk of an UN ResCoor during one of our inter-agency operations workshops - the unfortunate perceptions in the UN system - drawing an analogy of programmes and operations of space shuttle and bicycle shop.... so true !
Doreen Lobo commented on "Where I live: Madrid : Luis Oliveros"
Feb 20, 2022
Beautiful pictures, as always! I loved the pictures of nature - more intriguing since Madrid is a desert. Thanks for sharing.
Yoshi Uramoto commented on "The April 2013 Rana Plaza Tragedy in Bangladesh, Maternal Rights and Childcare : Yoshi Uramoto"
Feb 20, 2022
I believe this issue deserves much attention. What is novel in this study is that it not simply the brand but also the manufactures who benefit more than they contribute towards the value created at the cost of cheap female labour. It is systemic or structural that needs to be addressed by not only by one company such as H&M. Labour particularly female has almost no negotiating power. This power imbalance needs to be corrected. Full labour rights and policy change supported by the power - govts, Bretonwoods Institutions, Wall Street and many others who can influenced the change of structure and institution … challenging but we need to keep working on this. Yoshi
homesickferenji commented on "10 Questions: Thomas Haettenschwiller"
Feb 20, 2022
Bravo I loved...' After all, think about how many UNICEF Representatives display A4 photographs of smiles with the country leader who, instead of being in a photograph, should be more appropriately placed in a pre-trial detention facility.' Sadly so true, not enough of those being PNGd to stand up to tyrants and speak for children whom they will happily bomb, incarcerate and otherwise harass and starve.
Tiger commented on "10 Questions: Thomas Haettenschwiller"
Feb 20, 2022
Tony Bloomberg here. Well done Thomas, I could not have answered the questions better. Having been in 'Operations' roles in HQ and then becoming a Representative, I was in a good position to appreciate the inversion you mentioned. Especially in Emergencies, general management skills are paramount for programmatic success.
Mary Sidawi commented on "10 Questions: Thomas Haettenschwiller"
Feb 20, 2022
I very much liked the comment on emphasis put on degrees and especially Masters degrees which results in UNICEF losing very good candidates.
Feb 20, 2022
Dear Detlef, What is novel in this study and in my presentation is that it not simply the brands but also the manufactures who benefit more than they contribute towards the value created at the cost of cheap female labour. We needed evidence to prove that and we did! Bangladesh government and manufacturers (BGMEA) that they perpetuate the systemic exploitation of labour. Solution is not apply Marx I believe. It is systemic or structural issues built on power. Asymetrues ofGpower that needs to be addressed by not only one company such as H&M or me UN agency like UNICEF and ILO. Labour particularly female has almost no negotiating power. This power imbalance needs to be corrected. Full labour rights and policy change supported by the power - govts, Bretonwoods Institutions, Wall Street and many others who can influenced the change in structure and institution … challenging but we need to keep working on this. I suggest humbly to read the book “The Contest for Value in Global Value Chains: Correcting Distorted Distribution in the Global Apparel Industry. Best Yoshi
mike corbett commented on "Paula Blackman, RIP - Sad news from Marcia Lawrence / Arlene De Francesco / Doreen Lobo"
Feb 20, 2022
Regrettably I missed this sad news about Paula Blackman....I knew Paula quite well as she was one of our fine staff members who could always be relied upon and was always a pleasure to work with.....RIP dear Paula....Mike Corbett
Feb 20, 2022
Beautiful description; evocative of Afghanistan and sympathetic towards those living in the area. When, oh when will Afghans be allowed to live the life they want to live, where they want to live ?
Feb 20, 2022
Thanks a million, Tom, for your efforts to bring to light the great work of many unsung heroes serving the great cause of deprived children. Bless your kind heart. Baquer
Luis O commented on "Where I live: Madrid : Luis Oliveros"
Feb 19, 2022
She must be quite a storm if she kept Thomas for herself.
Detlef Palm commented on "Where I live: Madrid : Luis Oliveros"
Feb 19, 2022
Nice photostory! I am quite intrigued by the name of the snowstorm Philomena, as Philomene is the name of Thomas Haettenschwiller’s better half, according to Thomas’ (click) 10 Questions featuring this week in our blog!
Tom McDermott commented on "10 Questions: Thomas Haettenschwiller"
Feb 19, 2022
Bravo, Thomas!! Your description of the challenge posed by the inverted pyramid is right on the mark. Too often we ignore the basic mechanics of keeping our ship running and on a steady course. Your description of our organization having the attention span of a four-year old is generous. We quickly forget whatever it is we started out to do a few years ago, or even a few weeks ago. Master plans of operations are often at best a general wish list, quickly pushed aside and forgotten.
Feb 19, 2022
I fully agree with Tom. A solution for these children is difficult, but UNICEF should be the thought leader for finding a way out. I would also be looking towards the CRC
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