Bangladesh - Former Staff Launch "We Were There" : Shamsul Farooq

The much awaited launch of the Book WE WERE THERE finally took place on 17 July 2023 at Unicef Bangladesh Country Office in presence of Country Representative, Sheldon Yett, his Deputy, several other BCO staff and some 22 Retirees who contributed articles or funds to meet the editing, printing and related cost of the book.

On behalf of the retirees, Shamsul Farooq remarked that there could not be a better platform to do the launch than in Unicef/JPG/ Country Representative and host of Ex-Unicef Staff of Bangladesh. He thanked the Office, Representative and his team for providing the logistics, administrative arrangements and media support for the launch.

Shamsul Farooq speaking on behalf of the former UNICEF staff

The book is a compilation of articles written by ex- unicef staff members as well as as several International Staff members reflecting their individual experiences, challenges, opportunities in the early years of Unicef Operations in Bangladesh and then moving into medium and longer term development programme. In that sense the Book was not a Unicef History Project or Formal Report. The idea was to capture such experiences in a document which otherwise would have been lost in oblivion. He thanked all the contributors of articles. He also pointed out several areas of shortcomings in the Book. He sincerely hoped that the future editions should address these and other areas of emerging focus areas.

Dr. Nawshad Ahmed, Editor of the Book and an Unicef Retiree remarked that it was a wonderful moment to celebrate the launch of the Publication which embodied the collective wisdom of so many retired staff . Dr. Nawshad informed that the publication has a total number of 21 articles in two parts- part 1 containing English language articles and Part 2 included articles written in Bangla. These cover wide range of issues on Children and women in Bangladesh and which could be an excellent read for any Unicef staff, Government counterparts researchers and academicians .

Sheldon Yett, Unicef BCO Representative said that he was so pleased to see that Unicef Retired Staff in Bangladesh took the lead to publish this exemplary collection of personal memoires. He opined that these stories embody not some empty sermons but very practical actions that they took on the ground. He said he is truly impressed with the quality and contents of the publication. He strongly believed that the book would be valuable for Unicef staff around the world and other stakeholders that Unicef works with.

Following these short interventions, formal launching of the Book took place. AKM Kamaluddin presented a copy of the Book to the Representative on behalf on the retirees. The ceremony then ended with cutting of a Cake and Group Photograph.

The cake

Aside from this article in News & Views, another opportunity to share this launching event could be during the Retirees Reunion when they meet in Toronto next month. Mahboob Shareef who is one of the organisers of Toronto reunion can coordinate that on our behalf.

Thank you and best regards.
Shamsul