Richard Morgan. Special Advisor to the Executive Director on the SDGs
How old do you feel?
As of today, around 60, although I am 70.
Where do you live?
In the UK, a little to the south of London.
What book do you currently read?
"Mating" by Norman Rush, which is a love story set in a women's collective in the Kalahari Desert. It's my Desert Island Book.
If you could travel without restrictions, where would you go?
I would love to see Cape Verde again. I was there for a year as a volunteer, long ago, and adored the culture, music and scenery of the Islands.
Your best experience with UNICEF?
All of those 28 years. But especially the years spent with the wonderful Country Office teams in Mozambique and newly-independent Namibia, and with the Regional Office team based in Nairobi.
Your biggest challenge when working for UNICEF?
Trying to resist the pressures and tendencies towards insularity and a competitive, rather than collaborative attitudes towards partners - which tend to detract from a focus on what's best to do for children.
What is your biggest fear, in relation to the future of children? What is your greatest hope, in relation to children?
Fear? Plural. The climate emergency. Authoritarian governments which trample on the rights and lives of children and their families. Anti-science, anti-evidence ideologies. The emasculation of the UN with nothing in its place to bring countries together and have them to work together (however imperfectly) towards peace, security and human progress.
Hope: music, literature, poetry, education and better leaders (probably women).
What is one piece of advice you would wish to give to the UNICEF Executive Director?
12 years since I left, so probably not relevant. Perhaps: be bold and outspoken for children, making the necessary friends and enemies in the process.
Do you have any suggestions to improve XUNICEF - content, format, ideas, etc..?
Moderated / facilitated discussion forums on issues of major common interest.
Your e-mail (optional) : richgmorgan@hotmail.com
Comments
Post a Comment
Please ensure you leave your name, bei either selecting your google account (if you have one), or selecting 'name' from the drop down menu. Enter your name there. If confused, leave your name in the text of your comment.