UN is made even more complex by the constant interplay of politics and bureaucracy and can certainly be bewildering for a novice.

Globalization is a fact of life. But I believe we have underestimated its fragility.

Good, healthy democratic societies are built on three pillars: there's peace and stability, economic development, and respect for rule of law and human rights. And where all three are present, you stand a very good chance of making a go of it.

These divisions in the international community - the Syrians bear quite a lot of the blame, but we have enabled it by the divisions between us.

World Health Day is an opportunity to highlight the problem, but above all, to stimulate action. It is an occasion to call on all partners - governments, international donors, civil society, the private sector, the media, families and individuals alike - to develop sustainable activities for the survival, health and well-being of mothers and children. On this World Health Day, let us rededicate ourselves to that mission.

Microfinance recognizes that poor people are remarkable reservoirs of energy and knowledge

I think the generational change is going to be so important for Africa that we really should encourage and push it as much as we can, because some of these younger men and women, who are men and women of their times, and are also connected to the rest of the world, wouldn't even know how to behave in the way some of the old leaders do.