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10 Questions: Samphe Lhalungpa

Samphe escaping to the hills of Turkmenistan

What was your last assignment with UNICEF?

Representative in Turkmenistan 2009 to 2012

How old do you feel?

Almost 72 but depending on what I am doing feel anywhere from 60 or 70

Where do you live?

Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

What book do you currently read?

Lords of the Sea - The Epic Story of the Athenian Navy and the Birth of Democracy - John Hale

Also reading: China Unbound - A New World Disorder - Joanna Chiu; and The Tibetan Empire in Central Asia - Beckwith

If you could travel without restrictions, where would you go?

Tibet - the High Plateau ( Visa Impossible) 

Your best experience with UNICEF?

During Civil War, conceptualizing and implementing with non traditional partners: multi actor Welcome to school movement from 2003-7

Your biggest challenge when working for UNICEF?

Managing the policy and programme reversals with every new management -- UNICEF's strength and weakness - hugely personal scope

What is your biggest fear, in relation to the future of children?

Increasing conflict engendered by climate impact worsens global and national equity gaps for children leading to new cycles of exclusion and strife

What is your greatest hope, in relation to children?

Deep wellsprings of human resilience, innovation and adaptation can mitigate the situation/s

What is your one piece of advice you wish to give to the UNICEF Executive Director:

The Human Rights Framework is key and must be reclaimed by UNICEF otherwise global traction is not a given.

Samphe can  be contacted via slhalungpa@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 .

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