Roma Salon, Manila Hotel
Approximately 30 members attended
Future Reunion Sites
* Zimbabwe 2026 was offered by Susan Muza during the Toronto reunion in 2023. Several promotional notes have been disseminated online to some of the members, indicating that the best months in 2026 would be from February to April. The Manila participants expressed great interest in having the next reunion there. The proposal will be sent to News and Views for wider dissemination among the membership.
* The reunion is usually rotated among different continents each year, 2026 being Africa’s turn. Reunion sites must be selected based on an invitation from retirees living there and willing to organize the event. The possibility of Colombia or Spain was raised for consideration in 2027.
** Blanca will explore with Colombia retiree friends whether they would be willing to organize the 2027 reunion site. She will reassure them that Mexico retirees will help. XUNICEF members will be informed through News and Views.
** For Spain, since no one could identify retirees living in Spain, that alternative would have to be on hold for now.
Reunion Program Suggestions
* Maximize the long trip for many by extending the duration of the reunion to cover 9-10 days instead of only seven. The longer period will provide more time for relaxation and leisure, personal rest and other activities. This extended duration is especially needed if the group will be flying to other in-country destinations as part of the program.
* Consider assisting those interested in post-reunion tours beyond the main reunion. The Mexico organizing committee did this through a post-trip to Cuba for those seeking that added option.
* Design the program to be less structured but still opening opportunities for learning exchanges, immersing in local cultures and communities, and reinforcing UNICEF’s mission of reconnecting with children, .
* Promote the reunion more widely in the XUNICEF community and inform new retiree members about the reunion at least six months before they leave UNICEF. It is important to continue this meaningful annual tradition.
* Request UNICEF Budapest’s Department of People and Culture (human resources center support) to regularly provide XUNICEF with an updated database of retirees. In particular, ways of tracking should be shared to identify nearly-retiring and newly-retired staff and inform them of forthcoming reunions. Since not many of recently retired staff have been joining, there is a need to remedy this situation. This further suggests that aside from UNICEF Budapest informing the particular country office of new retirees returning home, an XUNICEF contact or liaison person should be identified in each country.
* Expand communication channels to promote the reunions. Further discussions with the Department of People and Culture in collaboration will include the Global Staff Association.
Travel and Program Feedback
* Organizing post-reunion trips for participants is an exhausting process, as Blanca and team for the Mexico reunion found out in assisting those who opted to continue on to Cuba. (Blanca)
* By facilitating local gatherings in a country, as is done in India and other countries, its retirees can provide information on the reunion and encourage the retirees to join . Switzerland was mentioned as a case in point (Bavicchi)
* Oscar has been active as a focal point for retirees. He should be contacted for assistance. (Hanawalt offered to do that)
* Word of mouth about the Manila reunion was one participant’s experience; while this direct contact is important, direct links with the Department of People and Culture is needed to streamline the information system. (Brusa)
In closing, participants individually expressed their great appreciation for the many joyful and informative moments stemming from the well-organized program. They thanked the Country Organizing Group and MediaX for their excellent mobilizing of the week’s events. Speakers emphasized the joys of being greeted warmly by helpful staff and friendly Filipinos everywhere. The Philippines was an experience they would happily remember for a long time.
* The reunion is usually rotated among different continents each year, 2026 being Africa’s turn. Reunion sites must be selected based on an invitation from retirees living there and willing to organize the event. The possibility of Colombia or Spain was raised for consideration in 2027.
** Blanca will explore with Colombia retiree friends whether they would be willing to organize the 2027 reunion site. She will reassure them that Mexico retirees will help. XUNICEF members will be informed through News and Views.
** For Spain, since no one could identify retirees living in Spain, that alternative would have to be on hold for now.
Reunion Program Suggestions
* Maximize the long trip for many by extending the duration of the reunion to cover 9-10 days instead of only seven. The longer period will provide more time for relaxation and leisure, personal rest and other activities. This extended duration is especially needed if the group will be flying to other in-country destinations as part of the program.
* Consider assisting those interested in post-reunion tours beyond the main reunion. The Mexico organizing committee did this through a post-trip to Cuba for those seeking that added option.
* Design the program to be less structured but still opening opportunities for learning exchanges, immersing in local cultures and communities, and reinforcing UNICEF’s mission of reconnecting with children, .
* Promote the reunion more widely in the XUNICEF community and inform new retiree members about the reunion at least six months before they leave UNICEF. It is important to continue this meaningful annual tradition.
* Request UNICEF Budapest’s Department of People and Culture (human resources center support) to regularly provide XUNICEF with an updated database of retirees. In particular, ways of tracking should be shared to identify nearly-retiring and newly-retired staff and inform them of forthcoming reunions. Since not many of recently retired staff have been joining, there is a need to remedy this situation. This further suggests that aside from UNICEF Budapest informing the particular country office of new retirees returning home, an XUNICEF contact or liaison person should be identified in each country.
* Expand communication channels to promote the reunions. Further discussions with the Department of People and Culture in collaboration will include the Global Staff Association.
Travel and Program Feedback
* Organizing post-reunion trips for participants is an exhausting process, as Blanca and team for the Mexico reunion found out in assisting those who opted to continue on to Cuba. (Blanca)
* By facilitating local gatherings in a country, as is done in India and other countries, its retirees can provide information on the reunion and encourage the retirees to join . Switzerland was mentioned as a case in point (Bavicchi)
* Oscar has been active as a focal point for retirees. He should be contacted for assistance. (Hanawalt offered to do that)
* Word of mouth about the Manila reunion was one participant’s experience; while this direct contact is important, direct links with the Department of People and Culture is needed to streamline the information system. (Brusa)
In closing, participants individually expressed their great appreciation for the many joyful and informative moments stemming from the well-organized program. They thanked the Country Organizing Group and MediaX for their excellent mobilizing of the week’s events. Speakers emphasized the joys of being greeted warmly by helpful staff and friendly Filipinos everywhere. The Philippines was an experience they would happily remember for a long time.
Confirmed:
Mary Racelis
22 February 2025
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