How old do you feel? I am 77 years old and don't kid myself that I'm younger.
Where do you live? Ossining NY, USA.
What book do you currently read? Just finished Adrift, Amin Maalouf. One of my favourite authors of novels. This non-fiction book is an ode to a past epoch of the Levant and a commentary on evolution of world politics over last nearly 100 years. He writes well, but I felt his conclusions are overly pessimistic for my taste.
If you could travel without restrictions, where would you go? Despite having travelled widely, if there were no restrictions, I would like to visit Cuba, Argentina, Bhutan and Tibet. Of these I think Cuba and Argentina are the more realistic travel goals.
Your best experience with UNICEF? My finest hour was probably being Representative Sierra Leone 1997 - 1999 during the worst of the civil war period when Unicef made a significant positive difference for children with a small team of internationals and a magnificent national staff contribution.
Your biggest challenge when working for UNICEF? Biggest challenge was as Director IRM (Information Resources Management or IT) 1985-1996 where it was difficult to satisfy customers and there were missed opportunities such as a radically improved field office computer system.
What is your biggest fear, in relation to the future of children? What is your greatest hope, in relation to children? I feel mine is/was 'the golden generation' living in an era of relative global peace and growing prosperity. I fear that the world order is at a key point of change and my grandchildren will have a more difficult and challenging life. My hope is that they will rise to the challenge despite dismal prevailing predictions.
What is one piece of advice you would wish to give to the UNICEF Executive Director? Besides Unicef's wonderful mandate in favour of children, I think a big part of the organization's success has been its exceptionalism and decentralized decision making that may have been weakened in recent years. The organization's funding seems to be at a point of significant decline and this will require more focus on where Unicef can add value such as emergencies and policy advocacy in favour of children.
Do you have any suggestions to improve XUNICEF - content, format, ideas, etc.. Try to discourage postings that take a one-sided position on some subjects and encourage balance.
Your e-mail (optional) anthonybloomberg@yahoo.com
Hi Tony - I do recall you moving into Sierra Leone - not only during the war but the office was in turmoil and needed strong leadership. We all look back on those years with pride.
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