XUNICEF News and Views

The Return of Fujimorismo Between memories of the past and the uncertainties of the future Manuel Manrique Castro 29 July 2026

Title: UNICEF: 59 Months to Achieve SDG 16.9 on Child Identity Author: Bhaskar Mishra Publication: LinkedIn Date: 30 January 2026

One year ago, a group of staff members came together and decided they could no longer remain passive in the face of Israel’s crimes in Gaza. Few if any events in the history of the United Nations have been so repugnant to the spirit and letter of the Charter: a Member State waging a campaign of genocide, with total impunity, while much of the rest of the international community continues providing the weapons, financing and political cover that make this possible.

I am not a football aficionado, but like most young boys in the MidEast I played football as my first sport but graduated to other athletic events as I grew up, culminating in tennis in my retirement years.

Title: Do Trees Talk to Each Other? Author: Richard Grant Publication: Smithsonian Date: February 20, 2018

Title: Landmark UN report highlights violence against mothers Author: Make Mothers Matter Publication: Make Mothers Matter Date: 04.07.26

AFP Photo Title: Trump tips Infantino for UN chiefdom after FIFA term: Reports Author: Daily Sabah with Agencies Publication: Daily Sabah Date: Jul 22, 2026 Click here for the article Summary:  The article is based on a New York Post report stating that Donald Trump wants FIFA president Gianni Infantino to become the next UN secretary-general after his FIFA term ends. It says Trump sees Infantino as widely respected, credits his World Cup leadership, and views him as a strong candidate despite the political hurdles involved in the UN selection process. The piece also notes that neither the White House nor FIFA had publicly commented on the report. Quotes:  “At the United Nations, you have to deal with 193 member states. In FIFA, there are over 200 members. Gianni's great record shows he knows how to manage,” “It also remains unclear whether Infantino has any interest in pursuing the position.”

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At the Stonehaven manor we usually sat on this bench on a small balcony overlooking the lac du Sable in Ste. Agathe des Monts on one side and a lovely garden on the other. We were drawn to it because of its original shape and it could easily take both of us. 

What to do la is an occasional musing on what one former staff member has and hasn’t done since leaving UNICEF. This week – Democracy?

   Disco Bay in Greenland 

For those football fans among us, especially those whose national teams participated in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, there is a certain void in our daily routines, and one can’t help but ask “any game this afternoon?”.

 The pool , jacuzzi and spa.  We spent a few days relaxing at the Stonehaven Manor in the village of Ste. Agathe des Monts in thé Laurentian mountains.

I was pleased to read recently about Neena Gupta’s fascination with trees and relevant photos.

 Former colleagues: My wife's cousin, along with his wife, ILO Regional Director for Latin America and Caribbean, was recently on vacation in Mostar, Bosnia & Herzegovina. He sent us the attached notice.

Manuel Manrique Castro’s new article explores how AI-driven "techno-militarism" is replacing traditional peace structures and draining resources from vital social investments.

Credits: Cathy Greenblat Title: New WHO guidelines: up to 45% of dementia risk could be prevented or delayed Author: World Health Organization (WHO) Publication: WHO News release Date: 15 July 2026

These past 2 weeks my wife and I visited Scotland and Wales for the first time. My watchful eye caught many new favorite park benches.

The two finalists at the 2026 FIFA World Cup know each other for almost 19 years (- as per Kul’s BBC article - published on the Blog 17/7/26),

Twenty Years Later: Has Paul Collier’s Most Uncomfortable Finding Been Conveniently Forgotten?