United Nations Yak

Yakkers’ corner: Muriel guest is Mr Richard Blewitt – CEO of HelpAge International

HelpAge International is the only global organization with a singular focus on providing assistance to and advocating for disadvantaged older people, helping them claim their rights, challenge discrimination and overcome poverty so that they can lead dignified, secure, active and healthy lives. The NGO was formed in 1983 by organizations in Canada, Columbia, Kenya, India and the United Kingdom that had similar missions to support older people. Today it encompasses 94 HelpAge Affiliates in 70 countries and more than 3,000 independent partner groups and older people’s organizations.

HelpAge International is the winner of the 2012 Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize. For more information, please visit: http://www.helpage.org/
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Click here to go to Muriel’s interview with Bobby Bailey of “Invisible Children”

Click here to watch the video The Invisible Children and Kony 2012

Yakkers Corner: Muriel invites Jack Ling – The Young Reporter, turned trailblazer and pioneer for communicating with, for and about the poor, throughout his 35 years in UNICEF and the UN System – Part 2

Mr Jack Ling was a reporter for a few years including a short stint as a United Nations-accredited war correspondent in Korea. From 1951-1962 (with a study leave interruption), he served as Public Information Officer in Bangkok for UNICEF’s Asia Regional Office, after which he was transferred to UNICEF, HQ first as Chief, Radio/TV and Film Service, then as Deputy Director before becoming Director, Information Division, 1972-82. He was seconded to the World Health Organization (WHO) as Director, Public Information and Health Education, in Geneva, 1982-1986. Read the rest of this entry �

Mr Jack Ling was a reporter for a few years including a short stint as a United Nations-accredited war correspondent in Korea. From Read the rest of this entry �

The Yakkers’ Corner had the pleasure of an earlier interview with Mr John Hope Bryant – get more information here. This is our first interview with him in his new role as as the Chairman of the Subcommittee on the Underserved and Community Empowerment.

John Hope Bryant – the Chairman of the Subcommittee on the Underserved and Community Empowerment, currently serves as well on President Obama’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability created in January 2010.

The Council provides advice to the president on promoting and enhancing financial literacy and capability among the American people. This effort is important to help keep America competitive and assist the American people in understanding and addressing financial matters, which contributes to our national financial stability. www.operationhope.org

About John Hope Bryant Read the rest of this entry �

A Special 2012 New Year Message message in English and in French.

Many of the countries under his responsibility are confronting different and varying degrees of challenges; viz., the earthquake in Haiti and the earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

Ambassador Cheick Sidi Diarra of Mali is Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for the Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs and Small Island Developing States (SIDs).

For the more than 800 million people in these groups of countries, it is a Read the rest of this entry �

Muriel is rebroadcasting Dr Swaminathan’s New Year’s message to farmers of the world and his best wishes to farmers still suffering the consequences of the earthquake 2years after.

Dr. Swaminathan is sending this Special Message of Hope and Encouragement for the New Year and the new decade to farmers everywhere. Given the challenges they are facing with climate change, the fuel and energy crisis, shaky economies, globalization and its effects on trade and agriculture, as well as their entry into the digital age, the impact of the internet and technology on productivity, all the while grappling with other social entanglements regarding their children and families. Given this sea of challenges, Dr. Swaminathan brings words of hope and encouragement to this group on whom our food security rests and whose role in assuring this food security is threatened. To read the full text of Dr. Swaminathan’s message to the farmers CLICK HERE. Read the rest of this entry �

David P. Haxton, retired UNICEF Regional Director of South Asia.

“The reasons why someone might be compelled to write an autobiography are complex and mostly personal. There are perhaps Read the rest of this entry �

Welcome to The Lounge, a panel discussion, on the Yakkers’ Corner. This is part 3 of three parts featuring retired staff/colleagues James Mayrides, David P. Haxton, Rolf Carriere – all former UNICEF Representatives.

Panel Discussion 3 -
Topic of Interest – Unarmed Civilian Protection – Rolf Carriere introduced the topic

Peacekeeping conjures up the image of armed Blue Helmet in violent conflict situations. But there are other ways to protect civilians and keep the peace. Our discussion will introduce the concept, practice, philosophy, modality, organization and condition of effectiveness of unarmed civilian peacekeeping/protection from the perspective of Nonviolent Peaceforce. And visit www.nonviolentpeaceforce.org for more information.

Please visit www.unitednationsyak.groupsite.com to keep the discussion flowing and ongoing.
by becoming a member and posting comments, articles, blogs pertaining to the different topics of interest

Read the rest of this entry �

Welcome to The Lounge, a panel discussion, on the Yakkers’ Corner. This is part 2 of three parts featuring retired staff/colleagues James Mayrides, David P. Haxton, Rolf Carriere – all former UNICEF Representatives.

Panel Discussion 2 -
Topic of Interest – Iodine Deficiency – Rolf Carriere introduced the topic

Iodine is a nutrient essential to normal brain functioning and our nervous system, and its absence can lead to irreversible mental retardation (cretinism) or more subtle mental subnormality. Only a teaspoon of iodine is needed over a lifetime. The following discussion will focus on iodine fortification of salt, an easy remedy that for less than a few pennies per person per year can ‘buy’ you up to 13 IQ points!

For more information, please visit: www.iccidd.org

Please visit www.unitednationsyak.groupsite.com to keep the discussion flowing and ongoing.
by becoming a member and posting comments, articles, blogs pertaining to the different topics of interest

Read the rest of this entry �