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Comments We Received - 22 May to 6 July 2024

 

4 mins ago
Just on time for a group if friends discussion on the topic. Thank you Ramesh
8 mins ago
Dear Brother Jim, thanks for sharing. You always have a great story to tell all of us. We have our shared friendship since the early 1970's and have loved every minute of time that we spent together; starting in Peru and Bolivia, Santiago Chile, Bogota Colombia, New York, Philadelphia, Boston, East Africa, Pakistan, Afghanistan, China among many other places like Toronto last year. Keep up the good life and enjoy. From all the Mayrides clan.
Thanks for sharing the latest on US defunding proposals by some of the US politicians. The discussion on the US funding of the UN has been bouncing back and forth for several years. There is also misperception among the general public in the US on the volume of the US funds to the UN. Most US citizens see the UN as a parasite on the US. The same cohort of public may also have influence on the political elites of the US calling to defund the UN.
The call to defund the UN this time may have been influenced by the propaganda against the UN promoted by the Israeli media accusing the UN of supporting Hamas and UNRWA employing members of Hamas, etc. Even the UN has been designated by some Israeli media as a terrorist organisation. The reality is the opposite as the UN has become a sacrificial lamb in the current culture of geopolitics. Binding resolutions, ICJ and ICC have been not only ignored but vilified.
I am also a little surprised to read the role of UN peacekeeping in the Central African Republic. The message implicitly implies that the UN peacekeeping is providing security information (intelligence) to the US. People could imply this message as a UN peacekeeping mission spying on behalf of the US.
While we cannot separate geopolitics from any of the UN activities, however, explicit reference to China and Russia in this message is perhaps unfortunate as it is coming from the UN association of the USA.
Have a good day
Ramesh
1 hour ago
From Nancy Terreri ( it wouldn’t accept my identity)
In Response to a comment by Unknown
1 hour ago
Jim, thanks for sharing. Would choose you as my tour guide anytime!

Dear Kul,
We are indeed trying to cultivate Khun Mechai’s support. Khun Anand had recommended engaging with him from some time ago, so we looked into his profile and influence. We will approach him shortly. We don’t know in what form or title, but certainly he can help us achieve greater impact with his influence and advice.
Best wishes, KK
Yes, indeed. Khun Mechai - "Mr. Condom" - has been a source of inspiration for many of us, including JPG.
He called condoms - Weapons of Mass Protection!
Jovial, entertaining and provocative, but always down to earth - he is a great communicator and educator.
He was a Minister in the Cabinet of Prime Minister Khun Anand Panyarachun who later became (and still is) UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.
I trust UNICEF Thailand & EAPRO continue to cultivate his support.
Mechai played a key role in popularizing family planning and the control of HIV/AIDS in Thailand whose example was emulated in many other parts of the world.

This TED Talk explains how he did it.
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1220174334754350
Mechai Viravaidya: How Mr. Condom made Thailand a better place | Mr. Condom was a speaker of TED Talk 7 years ago (Sep 2010) with the topic: "A Partnership to End Poverty." Please take some time to watch the video... | By Mechai Viravaidya
May she Rest in Peace! 🙏
Jul 3, 2024
This is very sad. Pierrette, an immensely hard worker and very good professional who has been always ready to guide, to advise and to initiate. She will live in our memory.
This is such sad news! Rest in peace, dear Pierrette, you will be so missed. Rozanne
A recent announcement by the UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, clarifies that the total of UN staff currently held by Houthi authorities in Yemen is now 17. In addition to the 13 UN staff and 5 staff of international NGOs detained last week, four others have been held since 2021 and 2022 (two each year).
A true shame that Hamas uses UNRWA facilities for their heinous activities. Innocents suffer.
Superb reporting by Fouad Kronfol on his visit to ICRC Headquarters in Geneva. I am eternally grateful to ICRC for saving my life in conflict areas of Sudan and Afghanistan. Peace, James Mohan
May his soul rest in peace 🙏
For more on this story, see "He Made a Powerpoint on Mothers Starving in Gaza, ...." in the Intercept.
The article shows the actual slides that led to Smith being fired by USAID. It seems that his critical mistake was to mention international law, something that made his higher-ups very uncomfortable.
https://theintercept.com/2024/05/31/usaid-powerpoint-gaza-israel-resign/?utm_source=pocket_reader
Kul Gautam commented on "UNICEF / VATICAN’S Day for Children"
Jun 3, 2024
Good that the Vatican organized a "Day for Children" with UNICEF Italian NatCom's support on May 27th and UNICEF ED joined.
But why May 27th? I see no rhyme or reason for that day.
The UN/UNICEF and many countries commemorate International/Universal Children's Day on November 20th - which is also the anniversary of CRC.
In the past, I recall the (previous Popes) sent a message to UNICEF, Arigatou International and others on the World Day of Prayer and Action (DPAC) on 20th of November.
Many countries also celebrate Children's Day on June 1st, and a few have specific National Children's Days (e.g. India on Chacha Nehru's birthday on Nov 16th).
According to Wikipedia Nigeria is the only country specifically celebrating children's day on May 27th.
Why now Vatican and UNICEF Italy? I assume it is perhaps a one-off, and not meant to be an annual day.
https://xunicefnewsandviews.blogspot.com/2024/05/unicef-vaticans-day-for-children.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Children%27s_Day#:~:text=In%201925%2C%20International%20Children's%20Day,from%20Women's%20International%20Democratic%20Federation.
Well done Canada team, the human resource in you continues to be put to good use !
Thanks Fuad for sharing this informative piece, it feels like I have also visited the museum!
Fuad, thank you. Very interesting and informative.
The 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
Will try to have something prepared for July and a a “reserve” for later.
Fuad, this is a fascinating, and superbly illustrated article. It brings home the long history of the Red Cross and the terrible struggles and losses of humans that the Red Cross has helped to shoulder. The celebration of the Red Cross with balloons flying in Geneva is uplifting. Thank you.
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
It was not a mistake. This has happened repeatedly and the response has always been identical. It was a mistake. We will investigate. A glaring example of racism and western hypocrisy. Continue to provide weapons and ammunition and ask to be careful! And by the way continue to investigate genocide against Uyghurs.
May 26, 2024
Very interesting sum up of the history of the castle. Good job
Indeed. A classic.
In Response to a comment by Unknown
May 26, 2024
https://youtu.be/WYmUvi0EOTA?si=5hBo6FrW16ZsuATU
May 26, 2024
Link of paperback: https://www.amazon.ca/gp/aw/d/B0CZLWCJ4T/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?ie=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.MoQAHOff4SbCmoG3tBsCVaqZgZY4OhcqeiLX7smUCPG-4Wo1Q1pc1lp2uSAo4mAZSttU02-N74dRCBYBXfKbkLe-MxcMGyNPvI34SH377I_vHpFPJrdAngV3-Ev17bkMz6IoRskT4qct-VXHkuN1EEgHo5LIG-dh0-BGz5IlY9InicGr-R_TqUz0kJpfi1FiR9m32m-Wss3fXHiYAJTGJA.Bp7pC_pYGCBmcUYrjx_pYnH3Eqb25FboAzKewJIo8dk&qid=1713621620&sr=8-1

Link of Kindle:
https://www.amazon.com/Handbook-NGOs-Everything-need-about-ebook/dp/B0CZMW7282/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?crid=1HG313LHOCOZG&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Xsn1lUD_CE95Uja-uJ93zbs-bs5TTyxCywpZWdiDvOTGI9LMF_b7aCjI5YvIB7QdHK9d4fRrdG3S0jwjVa8ksLKVxME92VjDhH0dXtPUduYJi1FoCVsLpn5YOhcp_CNwUb44L_SQkSfAU3I0QBRvFmr5943VDdDwtcHVB0iXKkL_yciBCJWkMAsRQsP8qrBWlFm796dQ2AF3ybzWYyaY2Q.V6ZXW6zxTuNdhlfc-1adCj6SaM0KkLh7B-SmQxovlBA&dib_tag=se&keywords=Krishna+KC&qid=1713621802&sprefix=krishna+kc%2Caps%2C148&sr=8-2
May 26, 2024
Many thanks for your kind support. This means a lot for me as some people know about it, some NGOs’ colleagues and others may be interested to read it as well; below I have link to know where to buy it.
Link of hardcover: https://www.amazon.ca/Handbook-NGOs-Everything-need-about/dp/B0CZLYKZXG/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=27BIQDQ9SZ3Y1&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.MoQAHOff4SbCmoG3tBsCVaqZgZY4OhcqeiLX7smUCPG-4Wo1Q1pc1lp2uSAo4mAZSttU02-N74dRCBYBXfKbkLe-MxcMGyNPvI34SH377I_vHpFPJrdAngV3-Ev17bkMz6IoRskT4qct-VXHkuN1EEgHo5LIG-dh0-BGz5IlY9InicGr-R_TqUz0kJpfi1FiR9m32m-Wss3fXHiYAJTGJA.Bp7pC_pYGCBmcUYrjx_pYnH3Eqb25FboAzKewJIo8dk&dib_tag=se&keywords=Krishna+KC&qid=1713621620&sprefix=krishna+kc%2Caps%2C119&sr=8-1
While the political West continues to echo President Biden's declaration that Israel has the right to defend itself, there are almost no significant voices who dare to express the right of Palestinians to resist an occupation suffered for nearly 60

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