A Quick Chat with Maggie Black

Maggie Black needs little introduction within the XUNICEF network. Maggie was the an in-house author of publications on UNICEF’s history, as well as on various themes as Water and Sanitation, Child Protection etc.

In the run-up to UNICEF’s 40th birthday, she was asked by Deputy Executive Director Tarzie Vittachi to write a history of UNICEF. "The Children and the Nations" was published in December 1986. Soon after this, Maggie left UNICEF’s staff to return to the UK, but continued to work as a consultant on many different projects. Her main subject areas were Watsan, Child Health (especially the effect of the HIV/AIDS pandemic), the Urban Child, and Child Labour (especially Girl Workers, Domestic Workers, Child Protection, and Early Marriage). As an independent consultant, she also undertook writing and editing assignments for WHO, UNDP, ILO, UNRISD, SCF and Anti-Slavery International.

She wrote a second history, "Oxfam: A Cause for Our Times" for its 50th birthday in 1992 and another UNICEF history Children First for its 50th anniversary in 1996. She is also the author of several other books, including "No-Nonsense Guides to International Development" (3 editions) and to the United Nations.

Since ceasing to undertake international assignments, Maggie has remained an activist in support of many causes. But today, her energies are more focused on her own locality. Her most recent major project was a community-based film about an Oxford neighbourhood called Jericho, following an earlier film that she made in 1974 for the BBC about social change in the same neighbourhood. These films are viewable on YouTube (Jericho Open Door and Our Jericho), and exemplify her lifelong commitment to giving a voice to those who might otherwise be voiceless.

In her chat with Sree Gururaja, Maggie speaks about the special camaraderie and bonds within the XUNICEF community. She discusses her concerns about child marriage and the challenging times for UNICEF with the emergency situation in many parts of the world. As always, we welcome your feedback on the topics raised in the conversation and do send us your thoughts in the Comments section below.