Let's pause for a moment -
“The right word may be effective, but no word was ever as effective as a rightly timed pause.”—Mark Twain
For weeks now we have warned that News & Views is running out of shared news articles, personal essays, travel stories, and photos contributed by XUNICEF members. We have managed to keep going only thanks to a few dedicated columnists and contributors, some of whom are the editors themselves. In the past month, aside from our columnists and editors, we had only 23 articles and 20 comments shared by members. In most cases those who contributed comments were the same people who contributed articles. For a network of more than a thousand (1,059) XUNICEF members, we reckon that fewer than 3 % of our members are active contributors.Reluctantly, we editors have decided that this is a good moment to pause our posting to the blog. This will be our last editorial for June. While we will pause our columns and editorials, we plan to continue posting some news articles - both those sent in and other news items we feel are important for readers. We hope that the pause will be temporary and that we can resume publication in July.
If you have suggestions on ways that we can increase participation in the XUNICEF blog - or if you feel we should let News & Views fold, please let us know. As always, our address is xunicef.news.views@gmail.com
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Mark Your Calendars for The Next Reunion - Mary Racelis has announced the dates for the next XUNICEF reunion - the Philippines from February 3 to 9, 2025. Make your plans now.
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This Week
Our Feature - Fouad Kronfol shares striking photos taken during his recent second visit to the Red Cross Museum in Geneva. By chance, Fouad's visit coincided with World Red Cross and Red Crescent day, a good chance to reflect on the role the movement has played in world history. From his amazing collection at home Fouad added a series of interesting stamps and envelopes celebrating the Red Cross.
News
- Sudan faces famine. See the statement of the IASC Principals and the multi-agency analysis for Sudan's children.
- UNICEF's RD for Latin America and the Caribbean, Dr. Garry Conille, has been appointed as Haiti's new Prime Minister, a position he earlier held in 2012. Dr. Conille's appointment comes during a particularly chaotic and violent time in the nation. We wish him safety and success in what would be an extraordinarily difficult job, even in more peaceful periods. We also understand that Karin Hulshof will return temporarily as Acting RD to fill the gap at LACRO.
- the World Health Assembly failed to agree on preparations for future pandemics, largely due to disagreements over sharing vaccines between rich and poor countries. The WHA has effectively 'kicked the issue down the road' for now.
- Catherine Russell met Pope Francis and joined in celebrations for the Vatican's World Children's Day.
- FOGGS is seeking agreement and signatures on a draft letter to the SG and the Presidents of the General Assembly and the Security Council on the rule of law with regard to the situation in Gaza.
- UNICEF has issued its 2023 annual report
- Niloufar Pourzand and a team from XUNICEF Canada took part in a recent UNICEF Canada event on Humanitarian Action in 'a Polycrisis World'.
- Kul Gautam and Mustafa Ali have written an Op-ed in IPS calling for an elevated role for children in the forthcoming Summit for the Future in September.
- Ken Gibbs recalls how poppies kept crossing his path during his work in Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan
- Ramesh Shrestha looks at the issue of maternity leave in terms of social justice and asks how many young people today have even heard of CEDAW or the UDHR.
- Ken Gibbs recalls how poppies kept crossing his path during his work in Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan
- Ramesh Shrestha looks at the issue of maternity leave in terms of social justice and asks how many young people today have even heard of CEDAW or the UDHR.
- Catherine Russell called again for an end to the senseless killing of children in Rafah.
- James Elder offers an up-close perspective on the recent Israeli attack that killed so many civilians in a tent camp in Rafah. In another instagram post he reflects on Israeli claims that the attack was simply a 'tragic mistake' and asks how many more such 'mistakes' will the world accept.
- John Gilmartin gives us his perspective on the failed vaccine sharing agreement at the World Health Assembly.
- The Elders warn that the international order is in danger of collapse due to a failure of political leadership.
Tom McDermott
Editor for this week
Dear Tom and the rest of the editorial team: thank you so much for your dedication. I feel guilty for so rarely contributing. All the best
ReplyDeleteWill try to have something prepared for July and a a “reserve” for later.
ReplyDeleteThe challenge for the site is how to make it more interactive. As currently conceived its more one way, and its also a bit cliquish which might turn off some people. I would suggest building in some more interactive features. Polling of members every once in awhile on issues or suggestions. Sharing results. Quizzes would also help. Finally what is XUNICEF really. A social club that travels once a year to one place? A group that has a voice on key issues affecting children today? Also I think editors should be selective about what members ask to publish. Doesn’t seem that way. Too many articles on Gaza that we can all read directly on the news sites. Suggest you start a discussion on who we are to get the interaction going
ReplyDelete