XUNICEF News and Views

Your Boss Comments On Your Booty But The UNDT Rules it’s Just a Deadlift Adjustment Nadine Kaddoura LinkedIn Click here for the article   Summary The article examines the UN Dispute Tribunal’s decision in Novo v. Secretary-General (UNDT/2025/098), which rescinded the termination of a UNICEF supervisor accused of multiple acts of sexual harassment and inappropriate conduct toward three female staff members. 

  Canada's 16% Cut to Global Fund Pledge: Neither Smart Nor Strategic Author: Results Canada Publication: LinkedIn Date: November 28, 2025 Click here for the article Summary: Results Canada denounces Canada's pledge of $1.02 billion to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria at its Eighth Replenishment Summit in Johannesburg, representing a nearly 16% cut from Canada's 2022 commitment. 

  In Memoriam: Dr. David M. Malone, Former United Nations University Rector Author: United Nations University Publication: United Nations University Date: November 26, 2025 Click here for the article Summary: Dr. David M. Malone, the sixth Rector of the United Nations University, passed away on November 24, 2025 in Victoria, Canada at age 71. Born in Ottawa on February 7, 1954, Malone enjoyed a distinguished career as diplomat, academic and international civil servant. 

 This is a moving defense of the importance of education as a continuing international aid focus, even in the face of major int aid cutbacks.  It is a defense made by children and the communities most affected, not distant aid providers and entirely consistent with Unicef's push for child-friendly spaces as core emergency relief measures. Ellen Tolmie

Here is one of the most powerful and poignant lectures delivered eloquently by the inimitable Dr Shashi Tharoor in honour of Desmond Tutu's legacy of justice, compassion and ubuntu. He reminds us of Tutu's moral consistency in the face of competing ideologies, religious intolerance, and selective outrage or praise. He reminds us of how faith can both heal and harm, and calls for enlightened interfaith collaboration.

 

 

 

 

At the urging of Adrian (husband), I wrote my story, recently published in GoanConnection, a quarterly newsletter of the Goan Association of New Jersey, Inc. of which we are members.  My story, primarily for an audience of women (men can benefit too) – please do take care of your health. Do not be like the proverbial ostrich who buries its head in the sand! As I reflected on this journey, submerged in a flood of emotions, it was difficult putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard!).

For more than six decades, Western governments have funnelled extraordinary sums into Africa through an elaborate aid machinery of UN agencies, NGOs, consultants and multilateral institutions. Yet despite declarations of progress, the continent has fallen further behind the rest of the world. The uncomfortable question is seldom asked: what if donors had simply given the money directly to Africa’s poorest households?

What goes up must come down In physical science, Newton's Law of Gravity means that Earth's gravitational force will attract all objects thrown in the air, will eventually fall back on the Earth with a speed proportional to the mass of the object and distance from the Earth. Metaphorically speaking, in social science it could mean that a high success in power or growth is often temporary, and could eventually decline or fall. There is no shortage of examples from our history of how empires and colonialism collapsed with their own weight. A curious question is, could this happen to our economy? Technology? Or perhaps our civilisation itself? Human civilization has been progressively on the path of evolution biologically, politically and economically. If we go by our own civilizational history, it may very well be a nosedive. Individually people may survive but the system as an institution may not. What is unsure is the method and timeline.

Greetings from rainy and cool Harare!  This week we are sharing  THROUGH THE EYES OF AN ELEPHANT EXPERIENCE Immerse yourself in the world of an elephant Have you ever wondered how an elephant sees, hears, smells and feels the world? Or what emotions and intellect do we share with these big-brained, social mammals? This is a one-off adventure into the mind, body and soul of an elephant.

  Dear Friends, I regret having to write you again about the famine and horrors caused by the civil war in Sudan - and to ask for your support of the brave, often young, Sudanese who are working on the ground to feed the famished and treat the sick and wounded in local Emergency Response Rooms (ERRs). But the disaster is at least as horrific as it was when I last wrote. And the work of the ERRs remains as brave and important… and dangerous … as ever.

  UN Kicks Off Process to Elect Next Secretary-General Author: Simon Lewis Publication: Reuters Date: November 25, 2025 Click here for the article Summary: The United Nations formally began the process to elect the next secretary-general on Tuesday, with the 15-member Security Council and president of the 193-member General Assembly inviting nominations for candidates to replace Antonio Guterres starting January 1, 2027.

Sudan's Military Ruler Attacks Trump's Envoy in Fiery Speech Author: Sudan War Monitor Publication: Sudan War Monitor Date: November 24, 2025 Click here for the article Summary: General Abdelfattah al-Burhan, Sudan's military ruler, delivered a scathing address accusing U.S. envoy Massad Boulos of lacking neutrality and serving as "a channel for RSF narratives" backed by the United Arab Emirates.

U.S. Plans Compounds to House Palestinians in Israeli-Held Half of Gaza Authors: David M. Halbfinger, Adam Rasgon, Natan Odenheimer, Aaron Boxerman Publication: The New York Times Date: November 25, 2025 Click here for the article Summary: The Trump administration is pushing for construction of residential compounds called "Alternative Safe Communities" in Israeli-controlled eastern Gaza, each housing 20,000-25,000 people with medical clinics and schools.

Africa's Solar Power Revolution is Finally Happening Authors: David Ehl, Privilege Musvanhiri Publication: Deutsche Welle (DW) Date: November 24, 2025 Click here for the article Summary: Chinese solar equipment is flooding African markets, partly driven by the US-China trade war, accelerating the continent's electrification.

What follows is extracted from letters sent to my wife from Turkmenistan and, perhaps, should not In younger days! necessarily be seen as a pattern to be followed. ***** “I have put in a part claim for my DSA and the expenses I paid on behalf of UNICEF, and anticipate that I’ll have some money when I get back - that is, before I am paid my fee. Naturally, when claiming the expenses, I was told two different ways that I had to make the claim, and there was a lively argument about whether some money which they sent to me at the end of my time in Dashoguz was, in fact, an advance or a settlement which was, of course, crucial to know since it affects the way in which the claim has to be made. I said that they could argue the toss with the computer; I just wanted the money. More discussions and no movement. I suggest that the problem is their affair, not mine. Yet more discussion. I casually mention that ‘I have been there before’ and in one case, referred my case to the UN legal div...

  COP30 Closes After Marathon Negotiations, Fossil Fuel Transition Remains Unresolved Author: Ayenat Mersie Publication: Devex Date: November 24, 2025 Click here for the article Summary: The 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference closed Saturday night, 27 hours past its deadline, after contentious negotiations over fossil fuel transition language. The conference's main output, the mutirão decision—an eight-page document addressing climate action gaps and developing country financing—became the focal point of last-minute disputes.  At the closing plenary, Colombia made a final stand against text that avoided clear fossil fuel phaseout commitments, with its negotiator stating "There is no mitigation if we cannot discuss transitioning away from fossil fuels."  Brazilian COP30 President André Corrêa do Lago suspended the session for an hour, but when delegates returned, the text remained unchanged with only promises to address Colombia's concerns elsewhere...

According to news reports today the number of UN staff reported to have been condemned to death has risen from 11 to 18.  The court has ordered them to be executed by firing squad in a public place. It is not clear whether an appeal will be attempted.     Tom Key Details: On Saturday, November 23, a Houthi-controlled court in Sanaa sentenced 18 Yemeni UN aid workers to death by firing squad in a public place on charges of spying for Israel, the United States, Britain, and Saudi Arabia. Two additional defendants received 10-year prison sentences. The Charges: The court accused the workers of providing information on Houthi leaders' locations and movements, political and military secrets, and missile launch sites and storage facilities. They allegedly recruited citizens, installed surveillance cameras, and received payments for their activities. Background Context: The arrests followed Israeli airstrikes on Sanaa in August 2025 that killed senior Houthi figures,...

Great to see UNICEF Australia and a few other natcoms using World Children's Day as an opportunity to release their own national versions of the SOWCR. Tom UNICEF Australia Releases Comprehensive Report on Child Wellbeing Publication: UNICEF Australia Date: November 24, 2025 Article: Click here for the article Summary: UNICEF Australia, in partnership with the Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth (ARACY) and supported by Minderoo Foundation, has released "The State of Australia's Children" report examining child wellbeing across the nation. While many Australian children are thriving, the report finds significant gaps, with children facing systemic disadvantage falling behind in key areas including mental health, nutrition, online safety, and disaster resilience. The report issues five recommendations including establishing an Early Intervention Investment Framework, creating a National Early Childhood Commission, and implementing a national C...

Most old people are white, Most young people are not. Check out this article: The United States is not far from the point where, each winter, deaths will regularly edge out births https://wapo.st/3M1GKCU In these U.S. groups, deaths now exceed births. What's happening? Andrew Van Dam The Washington Post November 24, 2025 Click here for the article Summary The United States is approaching a demographic turning point where deaths will regularly exceed births each winter, with the Congressional Budget Office projecting this crossover to occur by 2033, seven years earlier than previously estimated. 

  America's Children Are Unwell. Are Schools Part of the Problem? Jia Lynn Yang The New York Times November 24, 2025 Click here for the article Summary The dramatic rise in childhood mental health diagnoses—including ADHD affecting nearly one in four 17-year-old boys and autism increasing from one in 2,500 children in the early 1980s to one in 31 today—is closely linked to fundamental changes in American schools that began in the 1980s with metrics-obsessed education reform. 

  Gavi and UNICEF announce equitable pricing deal for malaria vaccine to protect 7 million more children by end of decade UNICEF/Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance UNICEF/Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance November 23, 2025 Click here for the article Summary Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance and UNICEF announced a new agreement to reduce the price of R21/Matrix-M malaria vaccines to $2.99 per dose within approximately one year, generating up to $90 million in savings.

Ultra-processed food: from first tastes to lifelong habits The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health November 18, 2025 Click here for the article Summary Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) have become ubiquitous in global diets, with UNICEF's 2025 Child Nutrition Report showing 60% of adolescents globally and more than 50% of children aged 6-23 months in 13 of 20 low-income and middle-income countries surveyed consumed a sweet beverage or food in the previous day. In some high-income countries, 

  Canada Shifts Away from "Feminist Foreign Policy" Label While Maintaining Gender Equality Commitments Author: Dylan Robertson Publication: The Canadian Press/CTV News Date: November 23, 2025 Article: Click here for the article Summary: Prime Minister Mark Carney announced at the G20 summit in Johannesburg that Canada no longer describes its approach as "feminist foreign policy," marking a rhetorical shift from the Trudeau government era.

Check out this article: A new study reveals that current lung cancer screening guidelines may be missing most cases, prompting calls for changes to detect the disease earlier.   John https://wapo.st/48n94HE  

 

Alone, On the Move and Unseen: Spotlighting the urgent needs of unaccompanied and separated children International Data Alliance for Children on the Move (IDAC) - Eurostat, IOM, OECD, UNHCR and UNICEF November 2025 Click here for the article Summary: The International Data Alliance for Children on the Move (IDAC) released a brief highlighting the urgent needs of unaccompanied and separated children found along every migration and displacement route worldwide. 

As reported in today's News Links, a Houthi court in Yemen has condemned 18 UN national staff in Yemen to death.  These are our colleagues who are trapped in what has so far been a political battle involving Houthi controlled parts of Yemen on one side, and Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the US on the other side.  They and their families deserve full support of the UN and the UN agencies which employed them Tom

Takeaways from the Outcome of UN Climate Talks in Brazil Melina Walling, Anton L. Delgado and Seth Borenstein Associated Press November 22, 2025 Click here for the article Summary: The COP30 United Nations climate conference in Belem, Brazil ended November 22, 2025 with what critics called a weak compromise after two weeks of negotiations. The agreement pledges to triple the amount of money promised to help vulnerable countries adapt to climate change, but will take five more years to implement. The final document lacked explicit plans or a roadmap to transition away from fossil fuels such as oil, coal and gas that heat the planet, angering many participants. More than 80 countries had attempted to introduce a detailed guide to phase out fossil fuels over several decades, but this was not included in the final agreement. COP President André Corrêa do Lago announced Brazil would write its own roadmap for fossil fuel phase-out, with voluntary participation from interested countries...

An interesting critique of the America First Global Health Strategy - The Lancet "The world still faces dire health threats that countries cannot fight alone without the infrastructure and medical solutions (eg, research and technology, data and monitoring, market shaping, and procurement) that only an international coalition can sustainably provide. The America First Global Health Strategy is a missed opportunity to mobilise that collective response to today's changed geopolitical, technological, and epidemiological circumstances". Kul

Post on Linkedin by Mark Kersten Three countries - the United States, Israel, and Argentina - vote against a UN General Assembly resolution aimed at preventing and ending this use of torture. These resolutions used to be adopted unanimously. What does it say when these states oppose any opposition to torture?

Eswatini is the First African Country to Get Twice-Yearly HIV Prevention Shot Farai Mutsaka Associated Press November 18, 2025 Click here for the article Summary: Eswatini became the first African country to receive lenacapavir, a twice-yearly HIV prevention injection developed by Gilead Sciences that has demonstrated near-total protection in clinical studies.

The Birth Keepers: How the Free Birth Society's Dangerous Teachings Led to Baby Deaths Worldwide Sirin Kale and Lucy Osborne The Guardian November 22, 2025 Click here for the article Summary: A year-long investigation reveals how the Free Birth Society (FBS), founded by Emilee Saldaya and Yolande Norris-Clark, promoted an extreme version of unassisted childbirth that has been linked to multiple infant deaths and serious injuries worldwide. 

This year marks the 36th anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child by the UN General Assembly. A bittersweet commemoration. But for our vibrant child rights movement, there is a lot to celebrate, and a lot more to achieve. For many decades, children’s rights were on the periphery of the debate. In fact, when the Convention on the Rights of the Child was adopted, there were voices wondering about the need for such a treaty and if it would bring any added value. These doubts did not last long, and the principles and provisions of the Convention quickly became a reference for nations around the world. Human rights start with children’s rights and nowadays children’s rights are central to the policy agenda. They permeate the international development agenda, are a priority in humanitarian action, an imperative for migration and refugee questions, and, despite an often tense and divisive atmosphere, they are at the core of the agenda of the UN Security Council...

    

A memorable evening as Keynote Speaker at the IWOO Gala on Women, Peace & Empowerment. Wonderful to see my accomplished dear second cousin @lily_pourzand and her amazing mother, dear Mehrangiz Kar, one of our foremost Women’s Right activists & lawyers. Mrs. Kar translated & analyzed CEDAW for us in UNICEF, Iran, some 30 years back. Tashakor to IWOO for inviting me @azadehmomeni26 @dr_bashiri . I spoke specifically about the UN SC Resolution on Women, Peace & Security as well as how it applies to Iran, Afghanistan, Palestine, Sudan…Canada.

 

UPDATES: The draft outcome text released by the summit presidency in Belém, Brazil, omits any mention of fossil fuels or a roadmap for phasing them out. euronew s   Groups of countries (including more than 29 states) have publicly rejected the draft, saying it fails to meet minimum conditions for a credible agreement because of the missing fossil-fuel transition language.  The European Union has threatened to block or withdraw support for the deal unless the language is strengthened on emissions reductions, fossil-fuel phase-out, and finance for adaptation. Politico+1 The talks have been delayed and are likely to overrun their official schedule, in part due to a fire at the venue which disrupted sessions. Cop30 delegates ‘far apart’ on phasing out fossil fuels and cutting carbon Fiona Harvey, Damian Carrington and Jonathan Watts The Guardian Click here for the article Summary As Cop30 negotiations in Belém neared their scheduled end, countries remained deeply divide...

Nigeria reels after 215 children taken in second mass school abduction in a week Eromo Egbejule The Guardian Nov 21, 2025 Click here for the article : UPDATE As of 22 November :  The number of those abducted from the rural Catholic school in St. Mary’s School, Papiri (Papiri community, Niger State) has been revised upward: the association now reports 303 schoolchildren and 12 teachers were taken. In response, authorities in multiple states (including Kwara State) have shut or evacuated schools as a precaution. Reuters Summary:  Gunmen abducted 215 pupils and 12 teachers from a Catholic school in Nigeria’s Niger State, marking the second large-scale school kidnapping in a week and highlighting the mounting security crisis and ransom-driven violence in central and northern Nigeria. The government faces increasing international scrutiny, including threats of U.S. intervention, amid frequent attacks that splice criminality, insurgency and communal conflict. The incident ...

An interesting analysis on how to dismantle a narcissistic ruler & regime by my former UNICEF colleague, Stephen Hanmer. Kul   Fracture the Mirror: How to Dismantle a Narcissistic Regime Stephen Hanmer D’Elía, JD, LCSW Substack Click here for the article Summary This piece argues that narcissistic regimes do not fall by confronting the leader directly, since the leader’s psychology is fixed and fueled by attention. Instead, collapse occurs when the network of enablers around him—advisers, loyalists, donors, judges, media figures—decides the personal cost of maintaining his power has become too high. These enablers act as mirrors, reflecting his grandiosity and absorbing his failures; dismantling this scaffolding is what weakens the regime. The author describes how documenting contradictions, enforcing legal and professional consequences, applying social and reputational pressure, reducing media amplification, and increasing financial risk can shift the calculus for these ac...

For the full list click here    Development finance Development finance is likely the first policy area that comes to mind when considering how countries help to promote development beyond their borders. It remains an important source of assistance for many developing countries.

Click here for charts to explore the numbers Click here for SCF's report "Security for Whom?" which we posted on November 5, 2025

On November 21, 2025 Canada announced its pledge of a $1 billion contribution to the Global Fund for its eighth replenishment cycle (2026-2028).  This is a slight decrease from its previous pledge.    The Global Fund works to combat HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria. This funding is part of Canada's ongoing support for the Global Fund to fight infectious diseases like HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria, which includes providing medication, treatments, and mosquito nets.

NATO and EU: Instruments for the Military-Industrial Complex Kristian Laubjerg – OtherNews Click here for the article 22 November 2025 Summary The article argues that NATO’s post–Cold War expansion, the EU’s rapid militarization, and the dramatic growth of the arms industry form an interlocking system driven less by security needs and more by profit, lobbying, and political manipulation.

 

"The Convention on the Rights of the Child is the most widely ratified treaty in history. Signed 36 years ago today, it affirms a simple truth: When we protect the youngest members of the human family, we build a better world. 

  Ending Child Poverty: Main Takeaways from The State of the World’s Children 2025 Click here for the Executive Summary Click here for the full SOWCR See below the summary for a point by point outline

On World Children’s Day - a very special day we have always celebrated in UNICEF - the Organization I worked for from 1984 to 2016 fulltime & some years as a Consultant - over 3 decades.  Sadly, while in many areas and aspects the life of millions of children has improved, millions continue to experience genocide, conflicts, displacement, abuse, exploitation and more.  Leaders need to be held accountable for their actions & inactions. Social movements for peace, human rights & freedom, for children & adults, are needed more than ever.  Let’s agitate for children!!

 

The UK Government has pledged £850M to The Global Fund , a 15% reduction from the last replenishment/ This announcement comes despite the fact that the fight to end AIDS, TB, and malaria is facing unprecedented challenges and civil society, parliamentarians and the international community have been advocating for the UK government to maintain its previous £1 billion commitment at a minimum.

We have not reported much about the Caribbean and the devastation left by Melissa, so I was pleased to find this excellent photo article by the New Humanitarian.  If readers have more information or photos of the islands hit by the storm or of the recovery efforts underway, please share.  For the article and other photos please click below.  Tom

Especially for those who worked in the context of the Syrian refugee crisis - a must-read.  Quote from the authors: "What would it take to enable Syrians who earnestly wish to go home? A refugee crisis doesn’t resolve itself: Just as the displacement of millions requires an architecture to host and integrate refugees, their return will take more than wishful rhetoric and half-baked policies. The risk, right now, is to create the opposite of a virtuous circle: a situation in which returnees face so many problems as to discourage others from following suit." Dina

From Rome with love

These short videos may be of interest to many of our members. Lou Free Videos: Claxon 23 Short Recordings on Activism, Influence and Change Have Just Dropped Author: Duncan Green Publication: LSE Blogs - Activism, Influence, Change Date: November 19, 2025

WHICH BEAST NOW ? The skills needed for a reasonable UNICEF WatSan staff member, in retrospect, might best be put into three different categories:  Technical, hardware, and software.  Naturally, there would be overlapping and if we include the essential moral aspects implicit in the delivery of any programmes, the sum of all parts is complex.  It should be noted that basic knowledge should be available as a starting point, and that any staff member in any sector would be expected to continue learning throughout his/her career in the agency.

  UN Staffers Depart Manhattan's Urban Canyons for Kenya's Leafy Capital Authors: Colum Lynch, Ayenat Mersie Publication: Devex Date: November 5, 2025 Click here for the article Summary: United Nations agencies including UNICEF, the UN Population Fund, and UN Women are transferring several hundred staff members from New York to Nairobi, Kenya, to reduce costs and position workers closer to program beneficiaries. 

Hammer and sickle Hammer and sickle are a symbol of solidarity with industrial workers - proletariat and agricultural workers - the peasantry. This symbol was designed by a Russian artist Yevgeny Kamzolkin for Mayday celebration in 1918. It was adopted as the state symbol of the Soviet Union on 6 July 1923 and also became a symbol of communism globally.

Morning everyone, Here's a piece about Boise Idaho s upcoming documentary film festival.  Their key presentation will be from Paul Moakley.  Paul is the executive producer of Rovina's Choice.  ( See video "Rovina's Choice" shared by John on 17 Novembe r)