Editor's Note: Many of us have the pleasure of crossing paths with old friends and colleagues. Niloufar and Cyrus share below some of their recent meetups. Let us know who you have met recently.
We - my husband Cyrus and I - have had the pleasure of connecting with a few UNICEF and XUNICEF friends in Toronto recently - almost one year from the date of our XUNICEF Reunion last year in August in Toronto. The network of UNICEF and XUNICEF friends remains a pleasure in our lives - with all the ups and downs that we all face and the sentiments many of us share about the state of the world.
Mahboob Sharif /Mahendra Sheth and I - the organizers of last year’s Reunion - fortunately continue to be in touch and meet with our spouses on various occasions and often remember our wonderful Reunion and times together. We are grateful for their friendship. At times, we also have the pleasure of seeing other XUNICEFers who are Toronto based including Ershad Karim and Asadur Rahman, as well as Noreen Khan. Or friends who left UNICEF like Aziz Froutan who works for a big NGO now in Canada. Or worked for a shorter period for UNICEF such as Natalie Zend.
Then at times - more so in the summer months - we have the pleasure of seeing visitors in town. For example, we recently met Baquer and Effie Namazi who were on a short family visit in Toronto. Or Viktor Karunan who will be in town for a Conference on Child Rights next week.
Sometimes current UNICEF staff visit Toronto to attend to their university going children or attend their graduations. For example, Atul Kumar, currently based in Angola, will be in town soon to visit his son and such encounters have happened on various occasions with other UNICEF staff/XUNICEFers.
Or Canadian UNICEF staff who return on home leave - like Emily Tibergien who is based in Budapest.
Another encounter is with a younger generation of young UNICEF staff - such as Hawa Sabriye - an Education Officer in Somali who is a returning Somalian-Canadian - I first met at York U where she was studying. Seeing such wonderful UNICEF staff amongst the current team is inspiring and encouraging.
In any case, it is always a privilege and pleasure to meet UNICEF and XUNICEF friends, share memories, be updated about UNICEF and exchange life experiences and aspirations.
My husband and I hope to continue having the honour of meeting up and hosting such wonderful and committed friends in Toronto and/or seeing them in other locations. And it is always wonderful to hear about others meeting up in various locations around the world and sharing their encounters.
To our friendship and connections!
Niloufar Pourzand
Envious of Niloufar, who sees so many UNICEF friends as they pass through Toronto. Hope more of you will pass through Taos, too! You are always welcome in large adobe home. The only pre-requisite is that you love dogs. Niloufar, thank you for sharing your get-togethers, often accompanied by photos.
ReplyDeleteEnvious of Niloufar, who sees so many UNICEF colleagues as they pass through Toronto. Wish more would pass through Taos, though it is off the beaten path. You are always welcome in our large adobe home. The only pre-requisite is that you love dogs! Niloufar, thank you for posting about your get-togethers, often accompanied by photos.
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