Insights from Outside the Bubble: Then and Now / Detlef Palm

When we talk about the good old times in UNICEF, or the golden days of UNICEF, we tend to take the inside view. For example:

• In those days, a clear vision was generating commitment among our staff. We were united in purpose. Now, we are pulled into all directions.
• In those days, we were doing things. Now UNICEF staff members suffocate in bureaucracy and write reports that nobody reads.
• In those days, we had to be creative as our resources were limited. Now, we are creatively spending money that otherwise will expire.
• In those days, we wanted to work in the field. Now, everyone seems to work in headquarters.

You may expand this list be adding your favourite pet peeves.

But we really should be taking the outside view.

• In the days that I do remember, UNICEF was putting children on the agenda of heads of states, governments, and donors. Our Executive Director was staring down war lords. We moved them to take better decisions. UNICEF was driving development.
• Today, UNICEF is cleaning up the mess caused by the lack of concern among heads of state, self-interest of the new elite, lack of attention to children by those in power, and by failed states and their buddies.

“What is UNICEF going to do about this?” has been a frequently asked question, readily responded to by UNICEF – whether it has to do with the increasing number of suicides among adolescents in distant countries; detained children in non-western countries; the lack of digitalization in schools; the discrimination of girls in Absurdistan, or the decline of vaccination rates against childhood diseases.

And the answer by UNICEF, in almost all cases, is that UNICEF needs more money. We no longer return the question: “Sir, Excellency, Mr. Head of State, Mr. Minister, son of the gun, what are YOU doing ensure the rights and welfare of your children?”

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