Gulbadan Habibi commented on "Domesticating the nature, by Ramesh Shrestha"
15 hours ago
Thought provoking! Thanks and all the best.
Gulbadan Habibi commented on "Quiz of the Week by Sree Gururaja"
15 hours ago
I recognized 12. It would be great and help my aging brain if you could name everyone in the picture. Thanks, Sree!
Gulbadan Habibi commented on "Healthy Reading: Speeding Up Your Daily Walk Could Have Big Benefits/New York Times/Gianni Murzi"
15 hours ago
I love walking. On average I walk 10-12,000 steps a day, every day, sometimes more. Thanks for the information, Gianni. All the best.
Gulbadan Habibi commented on "Something New, Something Old, Something whatever , by Nuzhat Shahzadi"
16 hours ago
Dear Nuzhat, I enjoy your posts, thanks. As I promised, I had a conversation with two generation of Afghan women from Herat about the word "Kaneez or Kaniz" as a name for a female. Kaneez in Arabic, Farsi/Dari and Urdu means "female slave". "Ghulam" also mean slave for male. Ghulam followed by Mohamad, Ali, Sakhi, Sidiq, Rasool is a very common name for male in Afghanistan. I have never heard a girl or a women named Kaneez. Neither our friends from Herat. In fact I was told it would be an insult to the women if she is called Kaneez. I understand in Kenya and Bangladesh Kaneez is a name as meaning the slave of God. I hope you find this information useful. All the best.
Habib Hammam commented on "Wales and Borders Photo Tour by David Bull"
20 hours ago
Enjoyed this tour of Wales. Remarkably beautiful photography. Thank you.
22 hours ago
Development with maintaining nature's rights is like a double-edged sword kind of issue. We are learning to do better for our own survival. There are many approaches underway to preserve what we have. Meaningful dialogues have begun. Development without accountability should be a no-go! I agree with you, understand your frustrations. I enjoyed reading your articles. You bring up interesting perspectives. Many thanks!
22 hours ago
Many thanks, Gianni. I try 6000 steps daily–don't have time for more. But on weekends I try to push this boundary. . .
Nuzhat Shahzadi commented on "Arranging the Furniture: Ken Gibbs"
22 hours ago
Lovely piece, Ken! Enjoyed it. I like your story telling style––a must to create and hold interest in the reader. Many thanks for sharing some glimpses of your personal life.
Yesterday
Her last name is "Gorman"- it's spelt "Garman" in the title. She is mesmerizing, inspirational!!
2 days ago
Well Done Paula...I am so pleased that you have also penned some remembrances of your stay in the Sudan. This is exactly what I am hoping others will also do so we can collectively write up a selection of personal and professional experiences that will augment the UNICEF Office's historical account of past staffers, both international and national. We all know that the formal archives in most offices are either missing or hard to get to so this may be the best way to develop a process to collect our respective experiences. Thank you. If you are up to it you might write up additional pieces as you remember them. Cheers !
Madan Arora commented on "Subhash Das Gupta, RIP - Sad news from UPGI"
Sep 20, 2022
Hi Razia - great remembrance of some old memories - just to let you know that I was fortunate to have worked with Glan Davies in both his tenures in New Delhi and I was also one of the soldiers assigned on emergency duty to Calcutta regarding special child relief program - had to catch a flight from Delhi on Monday in the early hours of 4am to 6am and then stay in Calcutta for whole week - take last flight on Saturday reaching Delhi at about 11.--pm and then repeat the same for three months - the purpose was to procure supplies for the special child relief on emergency level; report back to Delhi on Saturday night to Gerry Lykholm (after reaching at 11pm - thereafter reaching home after midnight) - yes GOOD OLD DAYS - I am fortunate to have served UNICEF for over 43 years (longest in whole of UNICEF and second longest in whole of U.N. Best regards, madan arora, florida, usa
Gulbadan Habibi commented on "365 Days - Since Girls Were Banned from Attending High School : Kul Gautam / UNICEF Afghanistan"
Sep 20, 2022
Dear Sharad, I hate to remind you that sadly, historically, Afghanistan has often been a bad example of human rights violation when it comes to specially girls education. Religious leaders and some cultural biases have always been a blockade in front of female Afghans. King Amanullah's women emancipation and girls education policies were among the reasons for his over through by the Mullahs. Your idea of distant education through radio is good one and probably already tried in some format by UNICEF Kabul but listening to BBC and VOA radios during the communists and the Soviets were a crime. Talibans did not allow people to listen to radio specially music of any kind during the 1990s. I dont know about now. This quote from the UNICEF Executive Director applies very much specifically to girls in Afghanistan. "With the learning of an entire generation of children at risk, this is not the time for empty promises. To transform education for every child, we need action and we need it now,” I would like to use the words of Ms Russell and modify it to "entire generation of Afghan girls" are deprived from their rights to education by the shameless Taliban mentality towards girls. Afghan girls beyond grade 6 are all left back by one year. I dont think much will change, as I dont believe Taliban government have the intension of opening schools for girls grade 7-12. I hope i am wrong!
Gulbadan Habibi commented on "The UN Lights Up for the 77th Session of the General Assembly : Horst Cerni"
Sep 20, 2022
Wow, absolutely beautiful! Why didn't anyone think of this before?
Gulbadan Habibi commented on "Poet Amanda Gorman at the UNGA Reads her Poem 'An Ode We Owe'"
Sep 20, 2022
I admire her and love her poetry.
Sep 20, 2022
Cher Jean, Nadia et moi avons tous les deux un tres beaux souvenir de Christiane et son charmant charactere, toujours souriante et toujours prete a aider les autres. Nous regrettons sa disparition prematuree mais rappelons avec beaucoup de tendresse ses gentilles mots et gestes envers nous quand vous avez visite Montreal pour la Reunion de XUNICEF en 2008. Que Son Ame Reste en Paix ! Nos sinceres condoleances a toute votre Famille.
Sep 20, 2022
Afghanistan is a sad example of denial of basic human rights to girls and one should continue to press for schools for girls to be opened. While waiting for that to happen, can we not develop online and in air curriculum and undertake learning for girls using radio and cell phones (there are 1.2 million you f Afghans on u report). The stations can be based outside of Afghanistan and to certain degree learning could happen as it did worldwide during Covid. Might not be perfect but better than nothing.
Blanca San German commented on "Dr. Christiane Dricot, Rest in Peace : Margherita Amodeo"
Sep 20, 2022
Thank you Margarita! I am sorry I could not respond to this sad message but I was hiking and camping in scattered communities in the State of Hidalgo in Mexico, with very poor internet signal. I got to know Christiane during our ex-Unicefers trips and always tried to sit near her and Jean to practice my French, let them practice their Spanish and enjoy their lovely company. Christiane was always happy, making jokes and having the ability to enjoy every bit of the trips, no matter if visiting a developed, semi developed or under developed country. She was really a "citizen of the world" who knew how to make the best of every circumstance. She and Jean made lots of friends beyond UNICEF colleagues due to their "joie de vivre". I will definitely miss my friend but I recognize she left an important legacy: learn to enjoy every day of our lives. Christiane, we will continue your example, and will surely take care of Jean in our ex-Unicefers trips. A big hug to my beloved friend, wherever you are. Blanca San German
Gulbadan Habibi commented on "365 Days - Since Girls Were Banned from Attending High School : Kul Gautam / UNICEF Afghanistan"
Sep 19, 2022
Sadly the majority of Afghan girls lost one whole year of schooling and they lost a whole year of learning and education. Talibans in my view have no intention of opening school doors for girls beyond 6 grades. Half of Afghanistan's 35 million people will be uneducated. If this continues, there will be no female physicians, lawyers, teachers, engineers and in many professions. Solusions??? In disparity, Gulbadan
Gulbadan Habibi commented on "Back to the Rez : Tom McDermott"
Sep 19, 2022
Dear Tom, Congratulations for your remarkable, thought provoking, powerful, compelling, tragic/potent and quite upsetting article. While reading it late at night as I had an insomnia, it reminded me of an international conference I attended in Canada organized by the University of Victoria on indigenous youth. 1985 was the IYY, the International Year of Youth and the Conference was to highlight the situation and needs and vulnerability of youth among the indigenous people in north America, South America, Australia, New Zealand and some Asian Countries. My presence was from the perspective of disabilities among this group. The topics mentioned in your report including drug and alcohol abuse and addiction, mental health issues, depression, suicides, conflects between the elders and youth, living conditions/isolation from the rest of society (reservations), lack of jobs and unemployment were all repeatedly highlighted by the speakers from all over the world. Reports, recommendation and conclusions should be available in the archives. Your report, as has been suggested by others is highly imprtant to be publicized widely also among the average Americans. You and your wife have done tremendous job of gathering facts and stories and I congratulate you both. The problems are enormous and the solutions are always harder than we think specially under our current politics. But there is always hope. I wish you the very best, good health and much success. Gulbadan
Gulbadan Habibi commented on "Back to the Rez : Tom McDermott"
Sep 19, 2022
This is a test to see if i can post comments, as i am having difficulties doing so. Gulbadan
Agop Kayayan commented on "Back to the Rez : Tom McDermott"
Sep 19, 2022
Tom, Congratulations for such a moving article. Someone said that UNICEF should be concerned. I believe it should but probably politics will be an obstacle. There is a similar situation in Brazil. After a long period of ruthless slavery, some slaves escaped. They settled in almost deserted places. Until now there are people who advocate that they should be punished for having escaped from slavery. One little observation. In the comments section it says unknown to a remark by a colleague from Guatemala, Dr. Juan Aguilar. He worked with INCAP ( Central American Nutrition Institute) then as Health Regional Advisor and then Represesntative. He is a fantastic source on Central and South America and Nutrition. Best wishes. Liked your article very much. Agop
Doreen Lobo commented on "Back to the Rez : Tom McDermott"
Sep 19, 2022
Thank you Tom for sharing this remarkable story. It is truly an eye opener for me.
Sep 18, 2022
The ExDir made a good decision to appoint Vanessa Nakate as a UNICEF spokesperson. She is experienced in many child related issues and speaks very eloquently. I trust that her appeals will be effective in all countries.
Fritz Lherisson commented on "Dr. Christiane Dricot, Rest in Peace : Margherita Amodeo"
Sep 18, 2022
La mort est une realite triste de la vie a laquelle on doit faire face. Christiane nous a precedes avec son beau et contagieux sourire contagieux. Tous ceux qui ont ue l'opportunite de connaitre Christiane ont su apprecier son professionalisme,sa chaleur humaine et sa joie de vivre. Ne reverrons plus jamais son visage jovial et son beau sourire. Certes Christiane laisse un vide immense dans le coeur de son epoux Jean Dricot, ses enfants et les autres membres de la famille et aussi ses collegues et amis de l'UNICEF. Que son ame repose en paix. Fritz Lherisson
Jim Mayrides commented on "Back to the Rez : Tom McDermott"
Sep 18, 2022
Dear Tom. Thanks for your thoughtful writing. I felt that the plight of our indigenous peoples was bad, but not as bad as you have so well described. Recently I read a piece about the SDG's and noted that the USA is ranked 41st on the list of countries. This is an embarrassment for all of us. Thanks for adding fuel to my fire. All the best. Jim Mayrides
Paula Claycomb commented on "Back to the Rez : Tom McDermott"
Sep 18, 2022
Thank you for this article with so many striking images and meaningful links, Tom. My father worked for the Bureau of Indian Affairs when I was a young girl. One of my sisters was born on the nearby Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, another near the Rosebud Reservation in Nebraska. All that you say and quote (eg from MLK Jr) is true. Your article brought many thoughts of racism, ignorance, fear and an overwhelming sadness that I feel too often these days.
Ramesh Shrestha commented on "Back to the Rez : Tom McDermott"
Sep 18, 2022
The situation in Canada mirror what you have described!
Unknown commented on "Back to the Rez : Tom McDermott"
Sep 18, 2022
Tom: your writing was very inspiring reading. I'd like to thank you for sharing it with your XUNICEF friends and colleagues. Love from Guatemala. Juan Aguilar
Detlef Palm commented on "Back to the Rez : Tom McDermott"
Sep 18, 2022
What is UNICEF doing about this? The UNICEF tagline reads ”For Every Child”, and surely the disadvantaged children growing up in the Rez need more protection, inclusion, support and a powerful advocate for ending racism.
Habib Hammam commented on "Back to the Rez : Tom McDermott"
Sep 18, 2022
Thank you, Tom, this is an illuminating article, informative and well written. The subject of the American Indians has always interested me. I went to Santa Fe and the Pueblos shortly after I was posted to NYHQ in 1975 and find it easy to relate to and empathize with the excellent description you provided. Habib Hammam
Sep 17, 2022
Mary and I send our condolences to Jean and the whole family on their loss in the certain knowledge that she was the best wife and mother any family could have had, leaving them with wonderful memories of her passion for them and her gentle good humour. Christiane was unquestionably the best health professional with whom I had the good fortune to work. UNICEF and countless children were fortunate that someone, somewhere, had had the foresight to employ Christiane and Jean in the same duty station which was a partnership greater than the sum of their individual contributions. Together, they were able to work successfully despite the office environment being highly toxic, showing considerable strength of character. We remember, with pleasure, Christiane’s sunny disposition at all times. Thank you, Christiane, we will always remember you.
Jim Mohan commented on "Back to the Rez : Tom McDermott"
Sep 17, 2022
Dear Good Friend Tom, This article is SO POWERFUL! Very proud of you and our mutual experiences with UNICEF, CRS and PEACE CORPS. Please share it widely and often! Jim..in Argentina
Samuel Koo commented on "Back to the Rez : Tom McDermott"
Sep 17, 2022
Wow, what a compelling piece of investigative journalism, Tom. At once poignant and jolting. Why have I believed the plight of the American Indians is largely behind us
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Good to see Rima looking as distinguished as ever and Maie who looks great. Thought I spotted Mehr in the background looking so smart. The whole picture deserves to be posted in a gallery - maybe one can be started at UNICEF house in honor of those who have devoted themselves to UNICEF's cause over the years
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