Let’s give moms a break when it comes to breastfeeding

It’s World BreastFeeding Week and UNICEF and WHO are running full-steam ahead with their campaigns. Yet, while breastfeeding is an ideal, this kind of campaign is adding extra pressure on new parents, particularly moms, if they can’t or decide not to breastfeed based on their needs and situations. Breastfeeding is an ideal – and this … Continue reading Let’s give moms a break when it comes to breastfeeding

#IceBucketChallenge haters – Get over yourselves

At work, we recently released the Global Humanitarian Overview Status Update where there are no less than 25 major emergencies and crises around the world that are being funded (or underfunded). There are also plenty of smaller or less prominent issues and causes happening at the same time that deserve attention and support. The question … Continue reading #IceBucketChallenge haters – Get over yourselves

World Humanitarian Day without Beyonce or Guetta

Every year on August 19, the world celebrates/commemorates World Humanitarian Day organized by UNOCHA, the UN organization I’ve been with since early this year. It’s a day to honor people who lost their lives in humanitarian service and those, who continue to bring assistance and relief to millions, and draw attention to humanitarian needs around … Continue reading World Humanitarian Day without Beyonce or Guetta

There’s an underlying stink to great design

I recently wrote about the great talent in the Communication Arts 2013 Illustration Annual highlighting three examples of my favorite work. Aside from the talented artists, the magazine features up and coming (or already well-established) freelancers, agencies, and organizations pushing the boundaries of visual communication in the digital, advertising, or marketing space. Two agencies caught … Continue reading There’s an underlying stink to great design

Van Damme the risks.

The Loy Krathong festival is an amazing sight to see with all the floating ‘krathongs’ or lotus-shaped container on the river and the hovering ‘khom loi’ or sky lanterns. While people were lining the river to release their krathongs, many others moved to higher ground to prepare their khom lois to launch them into the … Continue reading Van Damme the risks.

Disability is NOT inability – why Thunderclap it?

UNISDR’s Communications Unit in Geneva, a 5-person team that includes me, have been scratching its head for most of the last few months to see how we can generate interest in the 2013 International Day for Disaster Reduction, especially since it falls on a Sunday this year. While events celebrating IDDR are and have been … Continue reading Disability is NOT inability – why Thunderclap it?

Women and Girls: a visible force for resilience

The International Day for Disaster Reduction (IDDR) takes place every year on October 13. Since 2011, the Day has been part of a 4-year concept to build up momentum to 2015, an important date for the United Nations – it’s not only the deadline of the Millennium Development Goals ends, but also when the 10-year … Continue reading Women and Girls: a visible force for resilience