XUNICEF News and Views

  In 2024, I traveled to Arizona visiting the Navajo and Hopi reservations. The following stylized photos are currently being exhibited at the Beverwyck gallery at the retirement community where I reside.

Exuberance of Youth, Cienfuegos I visited Cuba in March 2024, traveling for 13 days with an American small group tour. We started in Havana, then branched out to other towns and cities throughout central Cuba — Cienfuegos, Matanzas, Trinidad and Vinales.

Bill Hetzer visited Neill McKee in Albuquerque, New Mexico on October 18, 2024 and they reminisced about the good old days in UNICEF. Bill was the Chief of Internet, Broadcasting and Photo Services in UNICEF, New York, for many years and Neill met him when Bill organized a conference on animated film for development in Prague, Czechoslovakia in March 1990, just after Neill had joined UNICEF Bangladesh as Chief of the Information and Communication Section.

 Albania or Shqiperisa, as it is officially known, turned out to be a wonderful place to vacation. The coastline on the Adriatic and Ionian Seas is complimented by rising mountains that are some of the tallest in Europe. I travelled mainly in the south of the country where most of the important cities and tourist sites are located. Northern Albania is far more rugged— a perfect place for hiking and mountaineering.

Something new for Bill Hetzer:   I recently expanded on the general style of my photography. Landscapes and portraits gave way to a “commercial art” look, posters that represent a frivolous feel that might be expressed as just fun to experience. The Coechilla Valley is mostly a carefree place — I stylized each picture and created a “not too serious” color spectrum. These poster collages will be on view at the Albany Center Gallery and the Saratoga Springs Arts Center (New York State) this fall and winter. Photo collages:  BARBIE the movie has grossed over a billion dollars worldwide. Besides its feminist themes, the film has created a color palette of bright pastel lollipops that is recognized by everyone. The Barbie doll was introduced to millions in 1959. And that coincides with development of Palm Springs as a mecca for mid century architecture and all that is associated with this design movement. I spent two days in the Coechilla valley this year taking photos in Palm Spri...

Something new for Bill Hetzer: I recently expanded on the general style of my photography. Landscapes and portraits gave way to a “commercial art” look, posters that represent a frivolous feel that might be expressed as just fun to experience. The Coechilla Valley is mostly a carefree place — I stylized each picture and created a “not too serious” color spectrum. These poster collages will be on view at the Albany Center Gallery and the Saratoga Springs Arts Center (New York State) this fall and winter. “BARBIE” THE MOVIE AND PALM SPRINGS CA Photo collages: BARBIE the movie has grossed over a billion dollars worldwide. Besides its feminist themes, the film has created a color palette of bright pastel lollipops that is recognized by everyone. The Barbie doll was introduced to millions in 1959. And that coincides with development of Palm Springs as a mecca for mid century architecture and all that is associated with this design movement. I spent two days in the Coechilla valley this year...

 In 2011 I traveled to India, my first trip abroad since retirement. I was looking forward to the visit. I had been to India twice while working, but those missions were short. Little time was left to experience let’s say, “the real India” outside the purview of the office. My two and a half week vacation took me to South India. After arriving in Delhi from New York, we immediately proceeded on to Chennai. From then on we had a comfortable mini bus to cover many miles overland while experiencing the beautiful sites, sounds, tastes and colors of this enchanted land. Last month I was asked to make a presentation about my photographic work at a women’s luncheon in Albany., NY. In preparation I researched my photo archives and decided to end my talk with a short video — “The Faces and Colors of South India”. The production was inspired by the many wonderful memories I accumulated during my trip, especially the open generosity of the people I met along the way. I soon realized I was amo...

Three windows I recently had the opportunity to prepare a retrospective photo exhibition here in the Albany, New York area. The show covers some of the photographs that I have taken over the last 10 years, including a few from recent trips to Saudi Arabia and Sicily. The exhibition will open on 1 January and run for two months. Now seems like a good time to preview some of these photos on the XUNICEF site. I have not made many photo outings in the last five years, but preparing for this event has rekindled my visual interests. I am cleaning off my camera and I am ready for some new adventures — mid century architecture in Palm Springs, California and a visit to Japan are on my agenda during the next few months. A bit of Baroque, Noto Noto is a Baroque city in Sicily. After a 1693 earthquake, the city was rebuild and is now an 18th century architectural gem. The balcony detail is close by to the cathedral. Agrigento Several 5th and 6th century BCE temples comprise the Valley of...

The 1980s and 90s were transformative years for communication programmes throughout the organization. UNICEF had a lot to say to the world about children everywhere, and the media were often willing and ready to listen. Print journalists as well as radio and TV documentarians travelled to many UNICEF country offices to report on emergencies, vaccination campaigns and emerging issues related to child rights. The creation of strong partnerships with powerful players in publishing and broadcasting advanced UNICEF’s outreach through programmes that reached millions. This expansion took place not just with the strategic use of UNICEF funds, but from a monetary equivalent of millions of dollars in expertise and production costs donated to UNICEF, along with free air-time from broadcasters and animation partners. PUBLISHING AND ELECTRONIC MEDIA CO-PRODUCTIONS We all know that James Grant was a visionary. He revolutionized the way children’s needs were addressed in the media by championing...

I’ve always enjoyed photography, mounting solo exhibits at local art centers and libraries, and participating in competitions and shows judged by juries. For fifteen years I used Nikon reflex cameras with all sorts of lenses and accessories.  Now I like to shoot on the run while traveling without all that weight and extra baggage. So about five years ago I purchased a Panasonic Lumix camera with a Leica lens that could slip into my pocket. Far better than a point and shoot, the camera has a sophisticated array of filters and modes to make any photographer happy. A compact camera packs in numerous features, and all need to be mastered for maximum camera utilization. Of course, there are compromises when you shoot with a small camera. I often miss the ability to change lenses when the creative mood strikes. The photos presented here were taken with my Panasonic Lumix and edited with Apple’s basic Photo programme. Long gone are the days when I devoted time to experiment with Photoshop...