Regional Advisor - Early Childhood Development, Europe and Central Asia Regional Office, Geneva, Switzerland
How old do you feel?
Not old at all.
Where do you live?
In Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, where I have taken up full time employment with the Government of Abu Dhabi. I am Senior Advisor to the Director General of the Early Childhood Authority in this Emirate.
What book do you currently read?
UAE 101
If you could travel without restrictions, where would you go?
Switzerland, Greece, USA, Hong Kong, Australia...
Your best experience with UNICEF?
In general, visiting countries in the ECA region getting to know children, families and early childhood service providers in the field - this really was the best part of my work.. (Specifically, winning an outsized Chocolate Trophy for the most appreciated programme in ECARO!)
Your biggest challenge when working for UNICEF?
Pleading for funds, for greater appreciation by senior management of the critical importance of the early childhood years and the need for silo-ed UNICEF sections to work collaboratively.
What is your biggest fear, in relation to the future of children?
That humanity does not learn from history and that the more things change the more they stay the same. My reference is with particular regard to the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. The politics of power and greed lead to situations such as this and it is children who suffer the brunt of the follies of deranged leaders.
What is your greatest hope, in relation to children?
That there are amazing individuals and organizations doing sterling work for the protection and promotion of children's rights.
What is your one piece of advice you wish to give to the UNICEF Executive Director:
Greater decentralization and reduced bureaucracy in UNICEF. 360 degree evaluations of all staff.
Deepa Grover can be contacted via dgprof2210@gmail.com
Feel inspired? Send us your answers, to the same question. Not more than one sentence per question. Write to xunicef.news.views@gmail.com .
Many 'rich' countries could do with better ECD services - I always wondered why ECD seemed to have a low priority in UNICEF programmes and development in general.
ReplyDeleteRefreshing answers to Ten Questions, indeed.
ReplyDeleteDeepa's photo conveys so much - she is in conversation with a puppet. She is thus unlikely to challenge the reader, much in the same way as Kermit the Frog becomes part of any conversation in which he appears. Deepa's answers are simple, direct and use the language which even young children can appreciate. I imagine her talking with a bunch of pre-school children as easily as she will speak with the greatest in the land. Her use of acronyms is minimal. Why, oh why can't UNICEF use more like her ?
We have often been told that if you can engage with young people up to the age of 7, they will be yours for life. What better advertisement for emphasising ECD/the development of young people than this ? So, why does UNICEF too often push people like Deepa into a forgotten corner ?
I am happy that Sesame Street has added “Amerra, an 8-year-old with a spinal cord injury, relies on forearm crutches or a bright purple wheelchair to get around. Sesame Workshop describes Ameera as “everyone's favorite comedian” and “a natural leader who encourages others with her bright personality”
ReplyDelete