For a long time, almost every major plan by UNICEF proposed to accelerate efforts, and almost every report claimed to have accelerated results for children. Here are some examples:
Given that it was found necessary and possible to accelerate efforts for twenty years in a row, apparently with plenty of room to further accelerate even the speed of progress, my own programming and that of my colleagues must have been moving at snail’s pace. Why on earth have we been bumbling along at sub-optimal speed, relatively uncommitted and ignoring needed investments and opportunities? And what exactly has been done, and will be done, to take off the brakes?
Whatever it was, after decades of continuous and ever faster acceleration, programming should soon be moving at warp speed.
But when you talk to those-in-the-know, there still seems to be a lingering doubt about UNICEF’s focus, and that UNICEF is trying to do too much. There are five goal areas, seventeen SDGs, distracting pandemics, and more than 800 strategic management questions (SMQs) that some country offices have to answer every year. Here are two focus-related statements from the 2022 crop of UNICEF reports:
Perhaps it doesn’t matter. According to the Star-Trek 24th century warp theory, when UNICEF programming speed reaches warp factor 10, it corresponds to infinite velocity and UNICEF can simultaneously occupy all points in the programming universe.
- The last four years have seen UNICEF substantially increase investment in resources, leadership, capacity and accountability to accelerate results…
- UNICEF continued to accelerate efforts to promote …..
- UNICEF has enhanced support to strengthen … systems
- UNICEF stepped up efforts, leveraging multisectoral partnerships to adapt programming, minimize disruptions and expand risk mitigation….
- UNICEF will renew commitment and urgently scale up efforts…
- the number of children … who received health, social or justice services has increased exponentially.
Whatever it was, after decades of continuous and ever faster acceleration, programming should soon be moving at warp speed.
But when you talk to those-in-the-know, there still seems to be a lingering doubt about UNICEF’s focus, and that UNICEF is trying to do too much. There are five goal areas, seventeen SDGs, distracting pandemics, and more than 800 strategic management questions (SMQs) that some country offices have to answer every year. Here are two focus-related statements from the 2022 crop of UNICEF reports:
- UNICEF is sharpening its focus on strengthening primary health care as the cornerstone of resilient health systems and as the key to universal health care
- [UNICEF] has extended its focus on preventative strategies and approaches.
Perhaps it doesn’t matter. According to the Star-Trek 24th century warp theory, when UNICEF programming speed reaches warp factor 10, it corresponds to infinite velocity and UNICEF can simultaneously occupy all points in the programming universe.
Didn't know you were a Star Trek fan
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