10 Questions by Elizabeth (Beth) Preble

What IS YOUR NAME and your last assignment with UNICEF?

Elizabeth (Beth) Preble.  Last full-time UNICEF assignment:  Senior Advisor, AIDS Prevention Programme, NYHQ

How old do you feel?

that depends…anywhere between 18 and 88 on a given day.  I’m really 76.

Where do you live?

6 months/year in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and 6 months/year in a small village in Dordogne France.

What book do you currently read?
Two at the moment:  a)  A Complicated Passion:  The Life and Work of Agnes Varda (French New Wave filmmaker), by Carrie Rickey and b) Dining with Picasso by Ermine Herscher (because in these politically-challenging times, eating may still be the best revenge).

If you could travel without restrictions, where would you go? 

Restrictions aside, I feel that many countries UNICEF staff were so privileged to live and work in decades ago that were then challenging, exciting, culturally-rich, and often dangerous; are less interesting to return to now, particularly as tourists. 

Your best experience with UNICEF

Shaping UNICEF’s initial response to the AIDS epidemic, as it specifically and profoundly affected developing-country women and children. 

Your biggest challenge when working for UNICEF?

Sexism, cronyism and lack of priority on professional excellence.  And yes, it must be said, sexual harassment as well….

What is your biggest fear, in relation to the future of children? What is your greatest hope, in relation to children?

Greatest fear:  violence, war, poverty, discrimination and environmental degradation.

Greatest hope:  That our nations' leaders will again find balance and compassion.

What is one piece of advice you would wish to give to the UNICEF Executive Director?

Keep your eye on UNICEF’s mission, and don’t get distracted by organizational and development politics…seek the views of your field staff and respect them – they should be your eyes and ears.  Be bold, courageous and forward-thinking.

Do you have any suggestions to improve XUNICEF - content, format, ideas, etc..?

I have access to UNICEF-related news, opinions and professional literature, so would love for the content to include more space on fellow UNICEF colleagues:  their activities post-UNICEF; and their views of the world, as shaped by their UNICEF experience.

Beth can be contacted at:  elizabethpreble@yahoo.com