Comments from Readers: 18-25 June 2022

Unknown commented on "Insights from Outside the Bubble: A Case for Management / Detlef Palm"

3 hours ago

UNICEF would be more likely to succeed to rid the organization of corruption if it was more transparent about past malpractices. All corruption must be dealt with decisively and nothing should be covered up to "protect UNICEF's reputation". Such coverups are likely to have the opposite effect. During and before my 30 years with UNICEF recruitment was often problematic, even corrupt. That is a problem for an organization that pays "exorbitant" salaries and depends on voluntary contributions. Such corruption, by definition, has the potential to stay with the organization for decades. Detlef, you know all about this, perhaps you could put your excellent and incisive writing skills to use on this topic next week. Thomas Ekvall

Unknown commented on "Insights from Outside the Bubble: A Case for Management / Detlef Palm"

18 hours ago

This is a good start Detlef. It is perhaps a little bit on the diplomatic side. The situation as I remember it was a lot worse, something UNICEF never lived up to. Corruption and other worse abuses were covered up and the culprits were paid to leave the organization with their loot and reputation intact. The organization's reputation had to be protected at all costs. Or is this something we should all solemnly agree to never ever mention? It may have improved since my days. I, of course, would not know, it is twenty years since I left UNICEF. Your last paragraph puzzles me a bit. It seems as though you are asking the fox to guard the hen house. Thomas Ekvall

Unknown commented on "Insights from Outside the Bubble: A Case for Management / Detlef Palm"

19 hours ago

What happens when one is accused and after a thorough investigation is cleared. No matter what the person is tainted in terms of career growth. Unicef never issues apologies or will not provide any support to clear his/her name. It’s just business as usual.

Ken Gibbs commented on "UN whistleblowing complaints 'dismissed far too early' : BBC"

Jun 22, 2022

I was struck by how little has changed over the years within the organisation related to whistleblowers. Ms Purna Sen's comments encapsulate how all too often: “. . . . . .the protection of the senior folk within each organisation matters more than the absence of harm to those who aren't powerful.” Having found myself in conflict with one of those ‘senior folk’ in UNICEF, I was told that where there is conflict between # 1 and # 2 in any duty station, # 2 always goes. Nothing about ethics or the effects on staff or children who were the basis of the creation of the organisation – simply an action to rid management of a troublemaker to allow ‘senior folk’ to continue to abuse the system by blaming the victim ? And this is what UNICEF’s Management Excellence was all about ?

Anoja commented on "A Quick Chat with Jim Mohan"

Jun 21, 2022

Wonderful accounts of two memorable experiences. Thank you so much for sharing them with us. Great that you succeeded in immunising a million Afghan children despite Mullah Omar's apparent lack of a response, which to most people could have appeared to be a refusal. You managed to get through to Mullah Omar despite his apparent lack of response and you had the wisdom to proceed with the immunisation programme. What a great achievement. Well done. Anoja

Paula Claycomb commented on "A Quick Chat with Bilge Bassani"

Jun 20, 2022

Thank you for this interesting interview!

Peter Delahaye commented on "My Acrylic Paintings - Franziska von Vietinghoff"

Jun 19, 2022

Lovely to see this new work and to continue to follow Franziska’s painting journey!! Congratulations, Peter

Ramesh Shrestha commented on "Children of War: Nuzhat Shahzadi"

Jun 19, 2022

Thanks for sharing this. During our various assignments we have so many interesting and heartfelt moments. We all are very luck to have had such opportunities. Stay well.

Unknown commented on "My Acrylic Paintings - Franziska von Vietinghoff"

Jun 19, 2022

I love the way you are exploring the possibilities of yellow in your paintings. The strong light leaves the painting with a message, for each one of us to interpret in her or his way. Thank you for sharing. G-S

Tad Palac commented on "10 Questions : Colin Davis"

Jun 19, 2022

Hello Colin! As Sree points out, India in the late 80s early 90s was truly a very special and exciting place, with tumultuous changes taking place. It left its mark on many of us. p.s. three score and twelve years is very good age to be! :-)

Tad Palac commented on "My Acrylic Paintings - Franziska von Vietinghoff"

Jun 19, 2022

Lovely paintings, Franziska, abstract yet so full of life. As for the dominance of yellow and blue.....there's a reason those two colours are the colours of the Ukrainian flag!