Kul Gautam and Mukesh Kapila on child survival, UNICEF and the UN : Fading Causes #9

A bit fast-paced and provocative at times, but an interesting discussion on UNICEF's and UN's role at present, in the past, and future.
Kul

Episode 9 : Can We Afford Pessimism In Difficult Times? with Kul Gautam

Has the world kept its promises to children? Can the United Nations, now approaching its 80th year, reinvent itself to regain public trust? And what keeps a veteran of global service fighting for justice after decades at the heart of international diplomacy? 

Host Mukesh Kapila speaks with Kul Gautam, the former Deputy Executive Director of UNICEF, whose path from a remote Nepali village to the highest ranks of the UN embodies both the promise and the frustrations of multilateralism. 

Gautam reflects on a career spent championing children’s rights, navigating bureaucracies, and grappling with inequality across continents. The conversation ranges from the struggles of his early life and improbable ascent to encounters with presidents, Nobel laureates and cultural icons. But at its core lies a pressing question: in an era of fractured politics and fading faith in institutions, can the ideals that shaped Gautam’s life still inspire the world today? Listen.

Key points from the conversation include:

• A Veteran's Journey: Kul Gautam shares a personal story from his time with UNICEF in the 1970s, recalling a five-day journey to his village in Nepal [02:24].

• Reforming the UN: The discussion addresses the perception of the United Nations. Kul Gautam identifies four key areas for UN reform, including democratizing the Security Council and prioritizing disarmament [06:22].

• The Importance of Children: Kul Gautam explains why children are given a central role in humanitarian efforts, stating that the desire for a healthy, long life for one's children is a universal aspiration that unites people across cultures [11:37].

• The Convention on the Rights of the Child: Gautam, who was central to the treaty's adoption, explains its positive impact, such as the massive increase in birth registration and a reduction in corporal punishment and child marriage in many countries [14:52].

• The Role of Goodwill Ambassadors: The conversation also touches on UNICEF's use of celebrity goodwill ambassadors. Gautam defends their use, citing examples like Audrey Hepburn and Pelé, who helped bring attention to forgotten issues [18:56].

• Pragmatism vs. Perfection: Addressing the criticism of "selective" technical interventions, Gautam defends this approach by saying that "perfection is the enemy of the good" [22:12].

• Finding a Silver Lining: The interview concludes with a discussion about Gautam's personal philosophy of finding a "silver lining in every dark cloud" and how it is crucial for those working in humanitarian fields to stay optimistic to effect change [32:01].