Representative, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
How old do you feel?
68. I feel what I feel and if that is 68, then it’s 68. I do feel great though and have used the time in retirement and hunkered down during COVID to get fit in all ways: physically, mentally and spiritually. In some ways, never felt better!
Where do you live?
Amherst, Massachusetts
What book do you currently read?
I usually read biographies, criminal murder/spy novels, political non-fiction. I am a voracious reader now and live in a town with a great library. The last five books I read:
- Susan, Linda, Nina and Cokie: The Extraordinary Story of the Founding Mothers of NPR (Biography by Lisa Napoli)
- Here, Right Matters: An American Story (Political Autobiography by Alexander Vindman)
- You Can Run (Novel by Karen Cleveland)
- The Afghanistan Papers (Political nonfiction by Craig Whitlock)
- The Art of Living: Vipassana Meditation (teachings of SN Goenka by William Hart)
If you could travel without restrictions, where would you go?
Nepal and Thailand
Your best experience with UNICEF?
Best is hard to say but a few good ones: Serving with UNICEF during the war in former Yugoslavia. Being part of the establishment of the CEE/CIS Regional Office and holding regional positions such as M&E Adviser and Education and Early Childhood Advisor. Participating in the Oslo Sudan/South Sudan Peace Agreements as part of a special assignment known as the JAM.
Your biggest challenge when working for UNICEF?
Speaking truth to power as Representative in Uzbekistan. Keeping UNICEF relevant in Kosovo after so called independence in February 2008. Keeping positive during the war in Bosnia.
What is your biggest fear, in relation to the future of children?
Environmental degradation and catastrophe, erosion of democracy and child rights, continuing war and conflict.
What is your greatest hope, in relation to children?
The amazing creativity, ingenuity and energy of children and young people to solve today’s problems.
What is your one piece of advice you wish to give to the UNICEF Executive Director:
Be selective and focus. Engage with and utilize former UNICEF staff in complicated situations without former staff having to go through bureaucratic hoops.
Rob Fuderich can be contacted via robfuderich@gmail.com, phone 413.406.0818
Feel inspired? Send us your answers, to the same question. Not more than one sentence per question. Write to xunicef.news.views@gmail.com .
I share the fears as well as the hope for the children of the world
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