Nostalgia
This week I celebrated my early retirement from UNICEF exactly 30 years ago. Nadia and I landed in Montreal on the same day to start another life in another country.
A couple of months earlier the UNICEF Staff News published a photo of Sylvia Roth, Evelyn Farquharson and me with the caption “More than 100 years of UNICEF service”. Both ladies retired before me but it was a very memorable picture nonetheless.
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All such “changes of the guard” usually engender some sadness and nostalgia. This ode to the “Graduating Class of 1995” is meant to provide some light-hearted remembrance of the many colleagues, and friends I am parting with as I also conclude my career with UNICEF.
Sadly, we started 1995 with the demise of Jim Grant. He, who for 15 years, represented the new UNICEF slant.
Horst Cerni was known for handling Good Will Ambassadors. With his unassuming manner, he often quieted their roars.
The auditor, Jamil Mian's trademark was his pipe, Ever so patient, he listened calmly to anyone's gripe.
Giovanna Visini, Representative to Conakry, Decided to return to her homeland, Italy.
Akram Piracha, long time assistant to Karin Sham Poo, Departed after his year number thirty two!
Tony Carter, our Representative in Afghanistan, Retired quietly, but after serving it first from Pakistan.
Then there was GCO's Guenter Duethorn, Agreed to retire early one lovely spring morn.
From Minister of Health in his native Sri Lanka, Ranjit Atapattu came to New York and learned to drink Sanka.
After numerous years of Supply Division buying, Svend Bach retired without even sighing.
Leo Abotai spent many, years auditing accounts, So, for a change of pace, he retired to climb new mounts.
Those who know Personnel Officer Nowrang Persaud, Will never forget his Santa Claus laughter, Ho! Ho! Ho!
Lennert Aberg our sixth Comptroller in the last 8 years, Returns to management consulting in Sweden, one hears.
Ramon Leon, the Pro-Andes officer in La Paz, Left UNICEF 'cause he couldn't stand all that jazz'!
Many will remember Adotevi, better known as Stan, academic, philosopher and our senior African Man.
There was hardly ever a UNICEF office move, Without OAM's Larry Hirt having to approve.
Most people thought Cole Dodge dressed very 'hep', But now he has left us to join the UNEP.
If you ever wondered who wrote the Medium Term Plan, I assure you. Bob Ledogar was THE man.
Richard Reid named his 'turf' the REECA Region, Few understood it, but his reasons were legion.
Athletic, but diminutive Rosa Chong, Faithfully served UNICEF for ever so long.
Alex Maralit concluded his career in EMOPs, Because of his serious demeanor, we called him Pops.
Have you ever met our water expert Kalidas Ray? Many years in UNICEF, but in NYHQ, not a single day!
Monika Proko has recruited and served multitudes of staff, For her continued good success we drink a quaff.
"Salamet" to Victoria Rialp, Representative in Amman, As she returns to Manila with her children and her man.
Our first Rep. in Albania, Alireza Mahallati, Excellent cook, from kebabs to chapatti.
Jae Hee Kim went to Tokyo and became Wilder, Her name, not character, the latter was much milder.
A pity Guido Bertolaso, Deputy Executive Director did not stay, He's gone back to Italian politics to make his way.
The year is not yet done, and other colleagues are slated to depart after me. So here are a few more lines to commemorate those with whom I've collaborated wonderfully over many years:
One couldn't but notice Djibril Diallo in his flowing "mumus", But who is there now to fill his shoes?
Tiny; brilliant and carrot eating Nyi Nyi, Rose from international "whiz kid" to UNICEF's Dr. M.D.G.!
Then there is our famous economist, Richard Jolly, He proved to the world that 'Adjustment' was a folly.
The MENA regional director, that elegant Sarojini Vittachi, Was better at social mobilization than Saatchi & Saatchi.
The rumour of his 1995 retirement about Timothy Boakes, Is like re-stacking UNICEF House - one of his great jokes!
Karl-Eric Knutsson, last seen at ICDC in Florence, Will be remembered for his empathy and tolerance.
When she retires in 1995/96 our Johanna Strieck, Will have taken the audit function to its peak.
Finally, the writer Fuad Kronfol begs indulgence of his peers; He wishes them well, and ends with CHEERS!
This week I celebrated my early retirement from UNICEF exactly 30 years ago. Nadia and I landed in Montreal on the same day to start another life in another country.
A couple of months earlier the UNICEF Staff News published a photo of Sylvia Roth, Evelyn Farquharson and me with the caption “More than 100 years of UNICEF service”. Both ladies retired before me but it was a very memorable picture nonetheless.
.jpg)
Before I retired I wrote an "Ode to the Class of 1995",with a series of couplets about those I knew were retiring that year, or soon. I am sure many readers will remember a few of them.
An ODE (SLIGHTLY IRREVERENT)
TO THE UNICEF CLASS OF 1995
With new leadership in UNICEF one expects some staffing changes to occur... it has happened before, and will happen again! This year, however, the usual trickle has turned into a virtual torrent as dozens of long-serving and some very senior staff are leaving the organization; separation, early retirement and retirement have greatly increased.All such “changes of the guard” usually engender some sadness and nostalgia. This ode to the “Graduating Class of 1995” is meant to provide some light-hearted remembrance of the many colleagues, and friends I am parting with as I also conclude my career with UNICEF.
Sadly, we started 1995 with the demise of Jim Grant. He, who for 15 years, represented the new UNICEF slant.
Horst Cerni was known for handling Good Will Ambassadors. With his unassuming manner, he often quieted their roars.
The auditor, Jamil Mian's trademark was his pipe, Ever so patient, he listened calmly to anyone's gripe.
Giovanna Visini, Representative to Conakry, Decided to return to her homeland, Italy.
Akram Piracha, long time assistant to Karin Sham Poo, Departed after his year number thirty two!
Tony Carter, our Representative in Afghanistan, Retired quietly, but after serving it first from Pakistan.
Then there was GCO's Guenter Duethorn, Agreed to retire early one lovely spring morn.
From Minister of Health in his native Sri Lanka, Ranjit Atapattu came to New York and learned to drink Sanka.
After numerous years of Supply Division buying, Svend Bach retired without even sighing.
Leo Abotai spent many, years auditing accounts, So, for a change of pace, he retired to climb new mounts.
Those who know Personnel Officer Nowrang Persaud, Will never forget his Santa Claus laughter, Ho! Ho! Ho!
Lennert Aberg our sixth Comptroller in the last 8 years, Returns to management consulting in Sweden, one hears.
Ramon Leon, the Pro-Andes officer in La Paz, Left UNICEF 'cause he couldn't stand all that jazz'!
Many will remember Adotevi, better known as Stan, academic, philosopher and our senior African Man.
There was hardly ever a UNICEF office move, Without OAM's Larry Hirt having to approve.
Most people thought Cole Dodge dressed very 'hep', But now he has left us to join the UNEP.
If you ever wondered who wrote the Medium Term Plan, I assure you. Bob Ledogar was THE man.
Richard Reid named his 'turf' the REECA Region, Few understood it, but his reasons were legion.
Athletic, but diminutive Rosa Chong, Faithfully served UNICEF for ever so long.
Alex Maralit concluded his career in EMOPs, Because of his serious demeanor, we called him Pops.
Have you ever met our water expert Kalidas Ray? Many years in UNICEF, but in NYHQ, not a single day!
Monika Proko has recruited and served multitudes of staff, For her continued good success we drink a quaff.
"Salamet" to Victoria Rialp, Representative in Amman, As she returns to Manila with her children and her man.
Our first Rep. in Albania, Alireza Mahallati, Excellent cook, from kebabs to chapatti.
Jae Hee Kim went to Tokyo and became Wilder, Her name, not character, the latter was much milder.
A pity Guido Bertolaso, Deputy Executive Director did not stay, He's gone back to Italian politics to make his way.
The year is not yet done, and other colleagues are slated to depart after me. So here are a few more lines to commemorate those with whom I've collaborated wonderfully over many years:
One couldn't but notice Djibril Diallo in his flowing "mumus", But who is there now to fill his shoes?
Tiny; brilliant and carrot eating Nyi Nyi, Rose from international "whiz kid" to UNICEF's Dr. M.D.G.!
Then there is our famous economist, Richard Jolly, He proved to the world that 'Adjustment' was a folly.
The MENA regional director, that elegant Sarojini Vittachi, Was better at social mobilization than Saatchi & Saatchi.
The rumour of his 1995 retirement about Timothy Boakes, Is like re-stacking UNICEF House - one of his great jokes!
Karl-Eric Knutsson, last seen at ICDC in Florence, Will be remembered for his empathy and tolerance.
When she retires in 1995/96 our Johanna Strieck, Will have taken the audit function to its peak.
Finally, the writer Fuad Kronfol begs indulgence of his peers; He wishes them well, and ends with CHEERS!
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