10 Questions: Paula Claycomb

Paula and her constant companion Tindy

What was your last assignment with UNICEF?

Senior Advisor, Communication for Development, New York HQs

How old do you feel?

Exactly what I am: 69 and 9 months, though I am fortunate to have excellent health and able to do 5-mile hikes.

Where do you live?

Taos, New Mexico, USA

What book do you currently read?

Two books going right now: The Naked Don't Fear the Water by Matthieu Aikins and The Simpler Way by Ted Trainer. I just finished Sankofa by Chibundo Onuzo. A frightening book for those who fear climate change as I do is The Hig House by young Canadian writer Jessie Greengrass.

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

I have always wanted to kayak in the Adriatic Sea along the coastlines.

Your best experience with UNICEF?

Khartoum, 2005-2008, dealing simultaneously with the beginning of implementation of the newly signed Comprehensive Peace Agreement (which unfortunately has not yielded good results for either Sudan or South Sudan) and the Darfur genocide. My team in C4D/External Communications was magnificent and Sudan reminded me of New Mexico, although we don't have camels in NM.

Your biggest challenge when working for UNICEF?

1. The never-ending planning processes with ever-changing formats and obligatory key words.

2. The low level of understanding, mainly by senior managers, of the science and art of communication for social and behaviour change.

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

The climate crisis.

What is your greatest hope, in relation to children?

That actions will be taken by governments -- pushed by civil society -- to reduce carbon and other emissions by 45 percent by 2030, a mere 7-1/2 years from now.

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

A probably impossible request: That she not be driven by concerns about jeopardizing the financial contribution of the US Government and instead keep harping away about equity, all rights for all children, etc.

Paula can be reached under paula.claycomb@gmail.com

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