Unknown commented on "A Photography Visit to Havana - Dina Crassati"
13 hours ago
Fabulous! Do you have a website of social media account where you share your photos?
17 hours ago
Yes, this is a whole gamut of ideas. Perhaps, from our perspective, we should concentrate on the one about the UN and its Agencies. Here again, many ideas are thrown out, many of which we all know and have lived with in our careers. Within this also, we could narrow down our concerns on the "humanitarian" aspect and leave out "development" for now. Let's face it, UNICEF started as a humanitarian organization and after 80 years is still heavily involved in such actions. Thankfully UNICEF resources are not coming from an assessed source, but this also means it is subject to much uncertainty. Could it be that it might narrow its spheres of activities and focus on a few that it can do well, or more efficiently than others? This could bring back the notion of mono-focality which it faced in the early days of GOBI. But with so many other actors in the field catering to so many other aspects, it may be the way for UNICEF to go. In its early days, the word "basic" was quite common in UNICEF jargon...Basic Agreement; Basic health, Basic Services policy, etc. Is a re-think in this direction worth discussing among our readers?
17 hours ago
Not only is the commentator "anonymous" but the comment itself is an emoji. Come, come, friends, surely we can be more explicit in our exchanges.!
Doug Higgins commented on "A Photography Visit to Havana - Dina Crassati"
18 hours ago
Fantastic, Dina! Thanks for sharing.
Rohini De Silva commented on "American Members of XUNICEF - Join me and Results.org in writing to Congress : Kul Gautam"
2 days ago
Thanks to our CT senators who have signed on. Our local interfaith and move on commitee’s are very active to get us involved in calling and writing to our representatives. It does pay for each of us to get involved as Kul recommends.
2 days ago
😢
Jun 25, 2025
Thanks Tom, for this collection. It shows how broad the agenda for reform can be.
I should think that we in UNICEF have a particular vantage point and experience (both in the humanitarian and development sphere), that some of the authors are missing. While the recommendation are widely diverging, I would still recommend that our readers have a look, if only to see that our current aid modalities are hopelessly outdated, in many aspects.
I should think that we in UNICEF have a particular vantage point and experience (both in the humanitarian and development sphere), that some of the authors are missing. While the recommendation are widely diverging, I would still recommend that our readers have a look, if only to see that our current aid modalities are hopelessly outdated, in many aspects.
Fouad Kronfol commented on "Future Focus - Additional Decisions : Catherine Russell"
Jun 24, 2025
But here are some quickie thoughts;
1. Putting EAPRO and ROSA together has been talked about for some time now. Effectively "serving" the many countries in both regions, with some 4 billion population, is another matter; India might like better being served out of Bangkok than Kathmandu !
2. ECARO and MENA, served by Amman, may have some logic but with most of MENA countries in conflict areas and humanitarian needs, while Central Asia is relativley well off countries, makes it dicey.
3.Djibouti may be OK , but placing the Sudan in ESARO may constitute a political faux pas..it is still a member of the Arab League and has been served by the MIddle East since inception. South Sudan is OK which is why it broke away from Khartoum in the first place.
4. Absolutely,;they dont mention countries, but I am sure most of them are not really "programme countries" to start with. I note that Azerbaijan was the one singled out to disengage....why that one?
5.These "hubs" are still a mystery..no one seeems to know what or how they will operate seeing as they are in the same locations of Regional Offices. For the record, I recall that the SIAR in 1973 recommended that RO's be scaled down and that RD's should act as "Senior Professinal Colleagues". Is this a case of "what goes around, comes around"???
Fouad..
1. Putting EAPRO and ROSA together has been talked about for some time now. Effectively "serving" the many countries in both regions, with some 4 billion population, is another matter; India might like better being served out of Bangkok than Kathmandu !
2. ECARO and MENA, served by Amman, may have some logic but with most of MENA countries in conflict areas and humanitarian needs, while Central Asia is relativley well off countries, makes it dicey.
3.Djibouti may be OK , but placing the Sudan in ESARO may constitute a political faux pas..it is still a member of the Arab League and has been served by the MIddle East since inception. South Sudan is OK which is why it broke away from Khartoum in the first place.
4. Absolutely,;they dont mention countries, but I am sure most of them are not really "programme countries" to start with. I note that Azerbaijan was the one singled out to disengage....why that one?
5.These "hubs" are still a mystery..no one seeems to know what or how they will operate seeing as they are in the same locations of Regional Offices. For the record, I recall that the SIAR in 1973 recommended that RO's be scaled down and that RD's should act as "Senior Professinal Colleagues". Is this a case of "what goes around, comes around"???
Fouad..
Jun 24, 2025
I really and truly feel bad for our colleague Monika who is made to issue such mundane and useless statements just to show that UNICEF is there and that it cares. Perhaps I am over-reacting , but the dozens of such statements that have been coming out from UNICEF in the various MidEast crises are becoming painful to read.
Jun 24, 2025
Just like Bernie Sanders in the US Congress, Jim Elder seems to be the "lone voice" making a real case for children suffering in Gaza. The world needs many more such voices, lest there be no more children in Gaza left to be saved.
Jun 24, 2025
Looks like we are living in two worlds...one is grappling with the throes of diminishing funds and concerns about humanitarian/development UN actions ,and the other is involved in multi-million "real estate" transactions in both NY and Geneva. See the Detlef comments on the Geneva and Swiss government financial issues. Funny, but sad !
Funny , isn't it ?
Funny , isn't it ?
Jun 24, 2025
OMG…this is the worst piece of news that any UN or UNICEF person would want to hear. Is there really no hope for humanity and global order any more.? What future is at stake for children, UNICEF and the UN?
Unknown commented on "Missing You - Richard Reid Obituary by his daughter"
Jun 24, 2025
May Richard rest in peace. I recall in particular his primary role in starting the universal immunization campaign in Turkey and then, how, with the help of Prof. Ihsan Dogramachi, Jim Grant convinced the President of Columbia to follow suit. These were the first steps in UCI gaining momentum and going global. Habib Hammam
Jun 24, 2025
I agree with Fouad that there are not enough comments so let me help with some thoughts. I agree with DP on almost everything and also with Kul's point that one size does not fit all - actually it means a lot that Kul agrees to the notion that we do not need so much technical support for development work as was the case 30-40 years ago. It means UNICEF should look much more closely at the numbers of technical advisory staff. I remember when I joined UNICEF in the eighties there was already a mature discussion around the regional offices - "why do I have to invite the regional advisor for subject "x" to my country - the person is good but my needs are not in the advisors area of expertise - I would rather go out to the market and find the skills the government needs for a particular task". The only change, as Kul points out, is that expertise is now usually available in the index country. And while I am focussed on regional offices, is it really good value for money for UNICEF country level management to have a regional director to give them sage advice and a shoulder to lean on when managing is getting hard? In this age of high quality management information systems and video coms it is a hard case to make to justify anything but a greatly scaled down management pyramid. One has to consider that the path to promotion for country level management is usually through the RD so it's clear that this is not the best way to get sage and impartial advice especially on personnel issues. Yes there were howls from the RD group when the ED chopped two regions. I wonder what evidence they presented for the added value that the regional office led by an RD business model brings towards results for children verses the other business models out there.
This comment leads me to an observation on UN80 so far. There is little to no reference to the role of personnel in achieving results. I understand the current round of cuts is an emergency since there is not enough money to pay everyone. It is a sad yet predictable example of human nature for those high level staff to retain the high level posts while cutting the worker bees. The recent action of the SG himself creating more senior posts is a woeful example. I wonder if a second more judicious deep dive taking place thereafter, according to Guy Ryder, will start from results achieved to analyse the strategies used to deliver those results and within that the role of personnel up and down the line. This would require an independent commission that starts with the existing and massive evaluation body of knowledge and layering on top of it some extra work to focus on the role of personnel - an area usually not well covered in UN programme evaluations.
This comment leads me to an observation on UN80 so far. There is little to no reference to the role of personnel in achieving results. I understand the current round of cuts is an emergency since there is not enough money to pay everyone. It is a sad yet predictable example of human nature for those high level staff to retain the high level posts while cutting the worker bees. The recent action of the SG himself creating more senior posts is a woeful example. I wonder if a second more judicious deep dive taking place thereafter, according to Guy Ryder, will start from results achieved to analyse the strategies used to deliver those results and within that the role of personnel up and down the line. This would require an independent commission that starts with the existing and massive evaluation body of knowledge and layering on top of it some extra work to focus on the role of personnel - an area usually not well covered in UN programme evaluations.
Jun 23, 2025
Do think again. The Swiss money is for renovation and upgrading real estate, and deferral of loans that UN agencies have taken for real property. The share of development aid (paid for by mostly western donor countries and national committees) going into Geneva and Switzerland (instead of going into developing countries) is much larger than the outlay of Switzerland for the renovation. This investment is to incentivize UN agencies to not move to less costly locations. See here (click)
Considering that much of the UN expenditure in Geneva is development aid, it would be fair if that money would be spent in a developing country.
Considering that much of the UN expenditure in Geneva is development aid, it would be fair if that money would be spent in a developing country.
In Response to a comment by Detlef Palm
Unknown commented on "Swiss $329 million contribution to support Geneva as UN location : Thalif Deen /"
Jun 23, 2025
Let’s appreciate what the Swiss Government is hoping to do unlike what the mad man is doing to the UN in the US without going into RS/PA and per diem etc. In any case similar expenses will be incurred regardless of whether based in Geneva. New York or Elsewhere.
In Response to a comment by Detlef Palm
Unknown commented on "The Development Aid Industry: Boom and Bust / Detlef Palm"
Jun 22, 2025
I don’t think the aid can be reduced to relationships between UN, donors and recipient countries. To start with, “donors” are often Governments, whose development assistance is driven by political and economic priorities and aid is just one tool to achieve that. We often overlook the responsibility of the recipient countries, probably due to colonialism guilt, but if we want to treat recipient governments as equal, we should also be clear about their responsibility in making the aid inefficient through non-commitment and corruption.
Jun 22, 2025
Poor USAID - and the looser is the USA, but those really hurt are all those devoted USAID-workers and their counterparts in the developing world, a crucial part of our common globe.
Jun 22, 2025
Let us not fool ourselves. Geneva is making tons of money from the presence of the UN and UN organizations.
The post adjustment of more than 1600 UN staff working in Geneva, at a multiplier of 85, easily tops 100 million USD per year. As this is post adjustment, this and much more is calculated to be spent by UN staff in Geneva. It doesn’t include rental subsidy. Nor the office costs, conference services, per diems of visiting luminaries and so forth at another (very conservatively estimated) 100 million USD annually – all going into the Geneva and Swiss economy. This is big business for Geneva and Switzerland.
The Swiss investment is not an investment in the future of a world order, but an investment to secure future economic returns for Geneva and Switzerland from the development aid industry.
The post adjustment of more than 1600 UN staff working in Geneva, at a multiplier of 85, easily tops 100 million USD per year. As this is post adjustment, this and much more is calculated to be spent by UN staff in Geneva. It doesn’t include rental subsidy. Nor the office costs, conference services, per diems of visiting luminaries and so forth at another (very conservatively estimated) 100 million USD annually – all going into the Geneva and Swiss economy. This is big business for Geneva and Switzerland.
The Swiss investment is not an investment in the future of a world order, but an investment to secure future economic returns for Geneva and Switzerland from the development aid industry.
Gautam Banerji commented on "The Old Textile Mill : Gautam Banerji"
Jun 22, 2025
Thank you indeed for your kind words. I would love to know you more closely by name!
Gautam Banerji commented on "The Old Textile Mill : Gautam Banerji"
Jun 22, 2025
Thank you, Myra. I will look up Anna Atkins. Wish I could see her exhibits at the NY Public Library as well! Your photography is no less inspiring. Do please send in more for the Newsletter.
In Response to a comment by Unknown
Jun 22, 2025
My apologies to El Fateh El-Samani for my senior moment in forgetting his name......Nigel
Jun 22, 2025
Huge thanks to James Elder for the excellent job he is doing reporting on the situation of children and making sure their voices are heard (Rozanne Chorlton)
Jun 22, 2025
Thanks, Detlef, for a candid analysis and many excellent points. The most expensive items in UN and other aid budgets are: a) very high staff costs & b) very heavy documentation and reporting requirements. There was a time 4-5 decades ago, when most developing countries lacked adequate number of highly trained professional expertise. Hence most UN & aid agencies needed external technical support. That is no longer the case now. But UN & aid agencies have not adapted to this reality and invent new justification for expensive expatriate staff and consultants. Similarly the documentation & reporting requirements have become inordinately excessive. Agree with Detlef's suggestion that these items can and must be drastically reduced and simplified. As to his implied suggestion for just provide budgetary support, I am not so sure. It all depends on how fungible the national budget is and the level of corruption in the country. One size doesn't fit all. In countries with good governance, strong rule of law and competent civil servants, it is best to provide budgetary support in various sectors mutually agreed by UN/donors and host country with minimal conditionality. But if the countries that need the most support have highly corrupt or authoritarian governments? Denying aid to such countries would be punishing their people twice - by their own repressive govt and by the donors as well. That would be unfair. Different standards would need to be applied for such countries. Hence, one size doesn't fit all. Regardless, agree with Detlef that a major overhaul of the aid industry is in order.
Jun 21, 2025
I think that is nitpicking, Detlef. The larger point is that these interventions are extremely low-cost, as we can vouch for from our UNICEF experience.
Many developing countries now include these interventions in their national budget, and more will do so now that ODA is likely to shrink. Kristoff's point is that the abrupt closure of USAID operations did not allow countries to make alternative arrrangements. Even donated free medicines in warehouses could not be delivered to the needy people. If one is really trying to cut waste, abuse, corruption and "mark-up"s, there are lots of other places to look at first - starting with "defense" budgets of most countries.
Many developing countries now include these interventions in their national budget, and more will do so now that ODA is likely to shrink. Kristoff's point is that the abrupt closure of USAID operations did not allow countries to make alternative arrrangements. Even donated free medicines in warehouses could not be delivered to the needy people. If one is really trying to cut waste, abuse, corruption and "mark-up"s, there are lots of other places to look at first - starting with "defense" budgets of most countries.
In Response to a comment by Detlef Palm
Unknown commented on "The Old Textile Mill : Gautam Banerji"
Jun 21, 2025
Dramatic and evocative. Bravo!
Unknown commented on "The Old Textile Mill : Gautam Banerji"
Jun 21, 2025
Gautam - if you are interested still in cyanotypes, check out Anna Atkins - she was famous for botanical blue cyanotype photos. There was a very interesting exhibit of hers in 2018 at the NY Public Library. Myra R.
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