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"You hear some strong policymakers telling us our children are our future. They are not your future. You are the past; they are the present and they are their own future.”

A pediatrician by training, Dr. Najat Maalla M'jid has always been dedicated to rescuing children from suffering. Now United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence against Children, she works tirelessly to protect young people around the world. “What I learned in my life, it's the eyes. […] When you are speaking with children, when you have light in their eyes, it's still possible. When the light switches off, it’s too late.”

Half of the world’s children are exposed to violence every year, often leaving devastating, lasting impacts on their mental health. In this episode, Najat Maalla M'jid reflects on the importance of rapid intervention in cases of violence against children and the extraordinary courage and resilience of youth.

Photo credit: ©World Organization of the Scout Movement

announced the saw winning films announced for 7 health-related categories, while 4 films received special mentions from the jury of this 4th Annual Health for All Film Festival.

“You see, we're not doing this work to make ourselves feel better. That sort of conventional notion of what a do-gooder is. We're doing this work because we are totally convinced that it's not necessary in today's wealthy world for so many people to be experiencing discomfort, for so many people to be experiencing hardship, for so many people to have their lives and their livelihoods imperiled.”

Dr. David Nabarro has dedicated his life to global health. After a long career that’s taken him from the horrors of war torn Iraq, to the devastating aftermath of the Indian Ocean tsunami, he is still spurred to action by the tremendous inequalities in global access to medical care. “The thing that keeps me awake most at night is the rampant inequities in our world…We see an awful lot of needless suffering.”

A passionate advocate for sustainable development, David Nabarro has seen in his own family how medicine can transform lives. In this episode, he reflects on his lifelong struggle against inequality, the lessons of misfortune, and why communication is always at the heart of healing.

Photo credit: ©4SD Foundation

“Despite all the failings of the UN, and there are many, we can deliver in the most difficult circumstances. With supplies that make a difference, with support that makes a difference, with presence that makes a difference. So that's what keeps me going. Because we have that opportunity, that potential, those resources, that experience.”

Denise Brown knows what it takes to work under the shadow of war. As �山����Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ukraine, she and her team must brave considerable risks as they strive to meet the colossal humanitarian needs of the Ukrainian people in the midst of a brutal war. "The missiles slow us down, but they don’t stop us. That's testament to the courage, determination, and experience of the people we have there.”

In this episode of Awake at Night, Denise Brown reflects on life under bombardment, on the dangers of trips to the front line, and on making a difference in the most difficult of circumstances.

Photo credit: ©OCHA/Saviano Abreu

pays tribute to all women journalists who are prevented from doing their jobs and who face threats and attacks on their personal safety.

The digital divide between least developed countries (LDCs) and the rest of the world shows little sign of narrowing. The risk is all too evident. As the world becomes increasingly adept at leveraging the Internet for value creation, LDCs risk falling further behind. This year, focuses on empowering the least developed countries through information and communication technologies. Investment in these young, vibrant countries can drive sustainable growth for generations. Let’s make 2023 a year of progress for digital transformation for LDCs.

When Shukri Mohamed Abdi decided to work in the media, she and her family had to overcome fierce resistance and physical threats from groups opposed to her reporting, where the concept of being a journalist does not exist. The fact that Somalia’s only all-women media house, , is still in business a year after it was created with support from is a human rights achievement in itself. By freeing up a space for women to report on what they believe is important, Bilan has opened up a different Somalia to local and international audiences.

The World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), held in 2002 and 2005, set out to achieve a common vision, desire and commitment to build a people-centric, inclusive and development-oriented Information Society, where everyone can create, access, utilize and share information. Since then, WSIS Forums are organized each year, serving as a key platform for discussing the role of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. This year’s  is being held from 13-17 March in Geneva.

has brought together 4,300 participants to discuss regulatory solutions to the ongoing crisis of online information – the first ever such global conference. Speakers from UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay, to the Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and 2021 Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Ressa underlined the urgent need for common global guidelines to improve the reliability of information while protecting human rights.

Radio is an important player in the maintenance and transition to peace. Professional radio addresses both the root causes and triggers of conflict before they potentially explode into violence. On World Radio Day 2023, highlights independent radio as a pillar for conflict prevention and peacebuilding. In informing the public, radio stations shape public opinion and frame a narrative that can influence domestic and international situations, and decision-making processes. Increasing radio's journalistic standards and capacity should be considered as an investment in peace.

The internet and social media empower societies with enormous opportunities for people to communicate, engage and learn. However, digital platforms have also been used as vectors for disinformation, hate speech, conspiracy theories and other potentially harmful content. The United Nations addresses online safety through various programmes. The delivered fact-based information during the pandemic; focuses on ; combats and will host a later this month seeking to regulate digital platforms for information as a public good.

"There are certain images that will stay with me for a very long time. Because those are the images that cannot be forgotten overnight." Sajjad Malik witnessed terrible suffering during the Syrian crisis. As UNHCR’s former representative in the country, he oversaw one of the �山����Refugee Agency’s toughest and most dangerous operations.

Since the war in Syria started in 2011 more than 5.7 million people have fled the country. Another 6.9 million are internally displaced. In this special bitesize episode, Sajjad Malik reflected on the catastrophic conditions he witnessed there and the lasting impact of those memories.

"You have to maintain your mental strength and courage. It’s fine to say it and reflect and cry if need be."

On of , Conor speaks to Melissa Fleming, the head of Global Communications at the United Nations, and host of award-winning podcast series, Awake at Night. They discuss the growing dangers of online disinformation, the global impact of the Ukraine war, and the importance of communicating effectively about the positive difference the �山����makes to millions around the world.

“I realized I'm a black person and that people see the color of my skin first, before they see who I am and what I'm capable of doing…that was the rude awakening.”

With her writing, Amanda Khozi Mukwashi wants to change the conversation on race, gender, and identity. Now United Nations Resident Coordinator in Lesotho, she has written a book exploring the struggle for equity and the historical baggage of slavery and colonization. “Let's talk about it a little more freely, not for it to hold our hands and tie them, but for it to liberate us to think differently.”

Moving back to the UK after leaving a high-level development post in Zambia, Amanda Khozi Mukwashi got tired of being asked where she was really from. In this episode, she reflects on the discrimination she has faced, on the rich family history she inherited from her grandmother, and on discovering her own multifaceted identity.

"There are so many good people at the UN, all trying to make the world a bit better. It sounds idealistic, but we are idealistic. It is an idealistic organization."

Ulrika Richardson has dedicated her life to the UN. As in Haiti, her belief in the organization’s idealistic values drives her to brave dangers in her mission to alleviate the suffering she has witnessed. “When you see people suffer, those images stay with you … that keeps you awake, and it *should* keep you awake.”

Life in Haiti remains precarious. Armed gangs, cholera, and fuel and food shortages mean violence, hunger, disease, deprivation are everyday hurdles for millions of Haitians. In this episode, Ulrika reflects on the scale of suffering, on preserving the dignity of those in need, and on the importance of saying goodbye.