Executive Board closes Annual Session, mourning the loss of a colleague
By Vivian Siu NEW YORK, USA, 11 June 2009 – The last day of the Annual Session of UNICEF’s Executive Board began on a sombre note yesterday morning. Executive Director Ann M. Veneman eulogised Perseveranda So, Chief of Education in UNICEF’s Islamabad office, who was killed in a hotel bombing in Peshawar, Pakistan on 9 June. The Executive Board followed with a moment of silence in Ms. So’s memory. The Executive Board went on to conclude its session with the presentation of 16 country program documents by UNICEF’s five regional directors, as well as highlights from several Executive Board field visits. Response to the economic crisis Children and families worldwide are struggling during the global economic downturn, especially in areas of transition and countries emerging from conflict. In their presentations, the regional directors outlined their goals for the coming years and the challenges UNICEF and its partners face in achieving the Millennium Development Goals, given the current financial climate. Only a year ago, for example, the majority of the countries in Central and Eastern Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CEE/CIS) were making progress on a number of MDGs, including poverty reduction, education and child survival, Mr. Allen noted. However, it is now estimated that 35 million people will again fall under the poverty line due to the global recession. “The weight of the crisis is already being felt by vulnerable girls and boys,” said the CEE/CIS Regional Director Steven Allen. Food insecurity has “severely affected parts of the region in the recent past, and continues to affect the most disadvantaged families,” he added. “It is not yet known when a full economic recovery will take hold. What is known is that it will take a long time for the poorest to return to levels of domestic employment and overseas remittances reached before the crisis.” Executive Board field visits Each year, members of UNICEF’s Executive Board make visits to better understand UNICEF’s programs in the field. The trips are an opportunity for members to see firsthand UNICEF’s work on the ground and gain a better understanding of the issues that children face. This past year, Executive Board members travelled to Kenya, Nepal and Cambodia, visiting primary and secondary schools, childhood development centres, hospitals and maternal shelters, among other sites. “Particularly in areas of water, sanitation and hygiene, as well as in the areas of health and education, in many instances we noted that UNICEF was ready to take on responsibilities beyond the specific call of duty,” said Executive Board Vice President Ismat Jahan, Permanent Representative to the UN of Bangladesh, speaking about the field visit to Kenya. In her closing remarks for the Annual Session, Executive Director Ann M. Veneman reminded the Executive Board that UNICEF’s staff is the backbone of the organisation. Every day around the globe, she noted, these thousands of men and women work tirelessly to reach children and families in need. UNICEF’s lifesaving work would not be possible, in other words, without dedicated staff members like the late Perseveranda So.
UNICEF Executive Board 2009 In memoriam: Perseveranda So
Perseveranda So * Global website Executive Board 2009 - Newsline |
