Pilar commented on "Making a difference - by Staneala Beckley"
60 mins ago
Congratulations, dear Staneala for completing this amazing project, happy teachers change the world!
Unknown commented on "Will UN be a Possible Target as US Goes on a Rampage? : Thalif Deen / IPS"
19 hours ago
To add that DT always wanted the UN site to build more of Towers
In Response to a comment by Lou M
Lou M commented on "Will UN be a Possible Target as US Goes on a Rampage? : Thalif Deen / IPS"
19 hours ago
Detlef: Its known that here are still vacant buildings/floors in Bonn... more nowadays as the agencies there downsize.
Yesterday
Why not Bujumbura? It is rather central in Africa and would give a needed boost to the GDP of Burundi and some prominence to Africa that would be welcome. An added benefit may be that some of the deadwood might remain in NY.
In Response to a comment by Detlef Palm
Yesterday
This is too sad. Concerned countries will now have to prioritize the costs of child immunization over other - less important - expenditure.
Unknown commented on "Will UN be a Possible Target as US Goes on a Rampage? : Thalif Deen / IPS"
Yesterday
No way Detlef. Don't want the magnificence of 'The Land of the Brave' to be spoiled.
Yesterday
So true ! It has become a concrete jungle in some newer extensions- the gardens are not affected, so far! With pressure from the morning walkers smaller parks are being safeguarded zealously by such citizens.. The lakes are getting desisted and cleaned up through civic action. Sree
2 days ago
This is indeed sad and alarming - millions of children will go unvaccinated and may perish. Having spent all my life on promoting and implementing immunization programmes over several decades, I am very sad to see this reversal of progress. Hope sanity will prevail and these decisions will be reversed. The situation in USA is also dire and we are seeing epidemics of measles and avian flu. Would not be surprised if this continues, we will see cases of vaccine preventable diseases on a large scale in USA!
2 days ago
Awesome! So nice to see the blossoms of Tabebuia rosea in Bangalore. I hope that Bangalore will one day regain the title of garden city of India if due care is taken of its flora and fauna by not cutting down trees at the expense of concrete jungle.
2 days ago
I think the UN HQ should move to Windhoek
Kul Gautam commented on "U.S. to End Vaccine Funds and Support for Malaria Programs : Stephanie Nolan / NY Times"
Mar 26, 2025
So very sad & alarming to hear the axe now potentially falling on GAVI.
Having been a member of the GAVI Board representing UNICEF and seeing its great life-saving work firsthand in many low and middle-income countries, I can attest to GAVI's impactful contribution to saving millions of children and enhancing their health, education, and life prospects.
Hope against hope that the powers that be will reconsider this supremely unwise proposal.
Having been a member of the GAVI Board representing UNICEF and seeing its great life-saving work firsthand in many low and middle-income countries, I can attest to GAVI's impactful contribution to saving millions of children and enhancing their health, education, and life prospects.
Hope against hope that the powers that be will reconsider this supremely unwise proposal.
Mrs Beatrix Bazin Rushton commented on "‘Someone’s listening’: Fear and longing in Syria’s al-Hol detention camp : Nils Adler / Al Jazeera"
Mar 26, 2025
Dear ex-unicefers
I am looking for documentation on the situation of women in Syria in the years around 2018.
Being a member of a cultural women association called Lyceum international club we are discussing around a very interesting book on the migration of women from Syria in 2018 to France.
« Traverser les montagnes et venir vivre ici »
I would like to have some information on why the women had to flee and why the French police were allowed to shut them !
Would you know where I could get some information around that theme?
Thanks for any hint you could give me or contact!
Kind regards
Béatrix Bazin Rushton
I am looking for documentation on the situation of women in Syria in the years around 2018.
Being a member of a cultural women association called Lyceum international club we are discussing around a very interesting book on the migration of women from Syria in 2018 to France.
« Traverser les montagnes et venir vivre ici »
I would like to have some information on why the women had to flee and why the French police were allowed to shut them !
Would you know where I could get some information around that theme?
Thanks for any hint you could give me or contact!
Kind regards
Béatrix Bazin Rushton
Mar 25, 2025
I also retired 30 years ago, but have continued to visit regularly all these years. While there are many innovative architectural accomplishments, am not so sure that the Big Apple is much "better" than when we lived there. The taller the new buildings, the thinner they get and from a distance look like a series of spikes. Down on the ground traffic, noise, and trash have made living much less attractive. Even in the small "oasis" of Beekman Place where we lived for more than 10 years, the neighborhood has become like most others. In short I have mixed feelings about NYC, but I still appreciated the great photography from Myra. Bravo !
Thomas Ekvall commented on "Reform now, but for real: Detlef Palm"
Mar 25, 2025
Hiring and firing based on performance is perhaps something UNICEF could consider emulating.
Unknown commented on "Les Misérables? – Where Are We Heading? . . . By Nuzhat Shahzadi"
Mar 25, 2025
Yes, agree. More sadness ahead . . .
Unknown commented on "Future Focus Global Review Exercise - UNICEF"
Mar 24, 2025
Fantastc!
In Response to a comment by Lou M
Unknown commented on "Future Focus Global Review Exercise - UNICEF"
Mar 24, 2025
No, it would be 'change management'
In Response to a comment by Lou M
Unknown commented on "Future Focus Global Review Exercise - UNICEF"
Mar 24, 2025
Would that be referred to as addressing climate change?
In Response to a comment by Lou M
Lou M commented on "Future Focus Global Review Exercise - UNICEF"
Mar 24, 2025
It may be time for a voluntary group of senior UNICEF elders as an advisory body on strategic direction and policy to address the current climate - hopefully get us away from thinking "process" and another top-heavy exercise.
Unknown commented on "Future Focus Global Review Exercise - UNICEF"
Mar 24, 2025
To reform a multi-billion dollar organization from the inside is difficult and it is a slow and gradual process of attrition. In the private sector, it takes care of itself, if they are no good, they go bust. In international organizations, it is impossible as most staff cannot find another job with similar pay and benefits. It must be enforced from the outside. Who would enforce it? The US is powerful and Trump and Musk are ruthless. The Chinese are also powerful, but since they were excluded from these organizations why would they care? The Europeans, who have been the main payers over the years, might be more considerate but may need to see convincing and major changes in how aid to Africa is dealt with.
Mar 24, 2025
Oh dear! The deckchairs again! Everyone for himself!
Paul Edwards commented on "The end of the UN? Not if the Charter gets a reboot : Kasmira Jefford / Geneva Solutions"
Mar 24, 2025
Reforming the UN Charter is a good step, but much more reform is needed if the UN, including the funds, programmes and specialized agencies, is to be saved. Is there appetite to take on a complex process of reform in this regard? Or maybe leave it to survival of the fittest? In the end, funding will determine which survive and which go to the wall. It will be brutal!
Augustine Veliath commented on ""30 Years Later" ... (Part I) by Myra Rudin"
Mar 24, 2025
I left Lucknow 14 years ago.
Augustine Veliath commented on ""30 Years Later" ... (Part I) by Myra Rudin"
Mar 24, 2025
Over the past 30 years, , Lucknow has transformed from a culturally rich but modest city into a modern urban hub with significant infrastructure growth, including highways, the Lucknow Metro, and an expanded international airport. Economically, it has shifted from a government and trade-based economy to a diversified one, with booming logistics, real estate, and the establishment of India’s first AI city. The population has nearly doubled, diversifying its social fabric, while healthcare, education, and modern amenities like malls and IT parks have expanded, blending with its Nawabi heritage. Environmental challenges, such as worsening air quality and the mixed success of projects like the Gomti Riverfront, have emerged alongside rapid urbanization. Issues like congestion and heritage preservation remain ongoing struggles.
Unknown commented on "Touching the Money: Detlef Palm"
Mar 24, 2025
Equally bad, the only way these skilled paediatricians and water engineers could get promoted was to get into management, an area where they had no skills. So UNICEF often lost a good paediatrician and gained a bad manager. That is no way to run a railroad.
In Response to a comment by Unknown
Mar 23, 2025
A beautiful demonstration of African ingenuity and creativity. Lots of fun. Thanks, Fouad.
Thomas Ekvall commented on "Touching the Money: Detlef Palm"
Mar 23, 2025
No one questions the importance of the CRC and all 54 countries in Africa ratified it decades ago. Have all those countries submitted the first report that was due two years after ratification? How many have submitted all the reports due every 5th year? Such information is basic but does not appear to be very easily accessible through a quick search. UNICEF has a presence in all of these 54 countries and if the CRC is as important to the organization as it claims such information should be much more readily available. If the countries UNICEF is working closely with do report diligently and act on feedback it should be held up as an example of how well UNICEF's advocacy works. That could be one of those success stories that have been called for elsewhere on this blog.
In Response to a comment by Unknown
Paris162 commented on ""30 Years Later" ... (Part I) by Myra Rudin"
Mar 23, 2025
This comment has been removed by the author.
In Response to a comment by Paula Claycomb
Mar 23, 2025
Thank you for fantastic photos on the city I love <3
Margherita Amodeo commented on ""30 Years Later" ... (Part I) by Myra Rudin"
Mar 23, 2025
Wonderful. I haven't been to NYC since COVID! And Trump has taken away my desire to return..... But your pictures are so exciting and show that, against all odds, the Phoenix will rise from the ashes to fly again and again. Thanks Myra.
Detlef Palm commented on "Touching the Money: Detlef Palm"
Mar 23, 2025
Dear Siegrist, thank you for your comment. I agree with you on the importance of the CRC.
Let us remind us that – even according to UNICEF’s own website - translating child rights principles into practice requires action and leadership by governments. The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child is the monitoring body, and as the treaty body makes recommendations to the state party. The responsibility lies with the government.
UNICEF can and should be the best recognized lobbyist for children’s rights and welfare, but it is the state party that has to act using its own resources including any grants.
Let us remind us that – even according to UNICEF’s own website - translating child rights principles into practice requires action and leadership by governments. The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child is the monitoring body, and as the treaty body makes recommendations to the state party. The responsibility lies with the government.
UNICEF can and should be the best recognized lobbyist for children’s rights and welfare, but it is the state party that has to act using its own resources including any grants.
In Response to a comment by Unknown
Paula Claycomb commented on ""30 Years Later" ... (Part I) by Myra Rudin"
Mar 23, 2025
Gorgeous photos, Myra, with many places I did not know about. I even shared this with our now LA-based son and family (though he and his wife are New Yorkers). They will be visiting The Big Apple for the first time in 2 years next week and may find some new places to go, thanks to you.
Unknown commented on "Touching the Money: Detlef Palm"
Mar 23, 2025
dear Detlef, I am an admirer of your essays. Read every one! Your humor and the sometimes cynical twist you put on things, so often you hit the head and the heart with eye-openers. But today's opener: "UNICEF is in the business of transferring money from the global north to poor and middle-income countries" is, as you know, incomplete. It is a gesture, I guess, to make a point. Provocative. But it is also a miscalculation. What is transferred is not just cash. Again you know this as well or maybe better than anyone. You also know that UNICEF's work has many levels of suspension of disbelief. Call it a theory of change. Results must be measurable, and there will be outcomes, there will be impact. But the CRC does require a suspension of disbelief. And the CRC has changed the world, you could say. You would not be wrong to say so. The CRC is the most ratified human rights instrument for a reason, universally ratified (I would say). That cannot be measured in cash. Yes, let's be efficient and effective. We need to spend penny-wise. The UNICEF colleagues I have worked with over the years have done their level best to make UNICEF count. UNICEF counts. That's my two cents. With best wishes and admiration, Saudamini
Ken Gibbs commented on "Reform now, but for real: Detlef Palm"
Mar 23, 2025
If the debate is about real reform then:
Right from the first days that I worked with UNICEF, I saw how the Patronage System was diverting money away from where it was needed, and I wanted to encourage senior staff to debate the matter with nationals in the country concerned with the rider that if they didn’t do something about it, UNICEF would divert its assistance elsewhere. I was told to forget it as if those senior staff didn’t want to confront the issue – which is hardly the way in which to resolve a problem.
It was only after I was retired early that I saw what the Asian Devlt. Bank was doing in Karachi where money was being bled out of the Municipality to fat cats and Municipal services were getting worse and worse for lack of funds. ADB said that it would help Karachi resolve this – offering eye-watering sums - but on the one condition, that the Municipality was to be run in the private sector where hiring and firing were to be based solely on performance. I saw this in operation and while I didn’t get all of the details, it certainly seemed to attract competent people.
Right from the first days that I worked with UNICEF, I saw how the Patronage System was diverting money away from where it was needed, and I wanted to encourage senior staff to debate the matter with nationals in the country concerned with the rider that if they didn’t do something about it, UNICEF would divert its assistance elsewhere. I was told to forget it as if those senior staff didn’t want to confront the issue – which is hardly the way in which to resolve a problem.
It was only after I was retired early that I saw what the Asian Devlt. Bank was doing in Karachi where money was being bled out of the Municipality to fat cats and Municipal services were getting worse and worse for lack of funds. ADB said that it would help Karachi resolve this – offering eye-watering sums - but on the one condition, that the Municipality was to be run in the private sector where hiring and firing were to be based solely on performance. I saw this in operation and while I didn’t get all of the details, it certainly seemed to attract competent people.
Neena Gupta commented on "A Different Take on the Service Industry: Ken Gibbs"
Mar 23, 2025
Hilarious!
Mar 23, 2025
Fascinating and beautiful photos. Amazing how the city is improving. Thanks for sharing the Big Apple - 2025 version - with us who knew only the 1995 version. Great report, Myra.
Myra commented on "Christophe MAHE . . . . .Allez, on danse le Kuduru"
Mar 23, 2025
Yes indeed, a lovely break from the current sordid news. Very fun! Thanks.
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