On the way to the gym I always walk by this view in Tirana and it really made me think about how we’re evolving (or should be) at UNICEF. It’s a cool spot where you see a tiny stone monument from the 1800s (the Kapllan Pasha Tomb) sitting right underneath a massive, modern skyscraper (the TID Tower/Maritim Plaza).
Respecting Where We’ve Been
The little stone tomb has been there since 1817. It’s stayed put while the whole city changed around it. To me, this is a lot like our senior colleagues and retired staff. We aren't running the show anymore, but sit right alongside the process. Experience still has a role to play and offers a bit of influence as we figure out what comes next. Sort of a reminder of the foundation that got us here.
The little stone tomb has been there since 1817. It’s stayed put while the whole city changed around it. To me, this is a lot like our senior colleagues and retired staff. We aren't running the show anymore, but sit right alongside the process. Experience still has a role to play and offers a bit of influence as we figure out what comes next. Sort of a reminder of the foundation that got us here.
Protecting Our Core for the Future
What’s really interesting is how the new building was designed. Instead of knocking the old tomb down, the architects built a giant concrete arch that curves right over it.
To me, that arch is like a way we could go forward. It acts as a canopy, protecting the old structure from weathering over time. As we look at new initiatives—like digital breakthroughs or new ways to tackle the climate crisis—we aren't just moving on. These new directions can actually serve as a "protective layer" for our core values, helping our mission stay strong even as the world around us changes.
A Fast-Moving Skyline
If you look at the background, you can see the InterContinental tower, which was just finished in 2023. It’s a reminder that the world is moving fast, and we’re constantly looking at new ways to keep up. In Tirana—and at UNICEF—it’s not about choosing between the "old way" or the "new way." It’s about finding a path where the new stuff we build helps protect the history that made us who we are. (and hopefully not repeat the past mistakes but learn)
If you look at the background, you can see the InterContinental tower, which was just finished in 2023. It’s a reminder that the world is moving fast, and we’re constantly looking at new ways to keep up. In Tirana—and at UNICEF—it’s not about choosing between the "old way" or the "new way." It’s about finding a path where the new stuff we build helps protect the history that made us who we are. (and hopefully not repeat the past mistakes but learn)
Thoughts?
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