Awake At Night

What does it take to be a United Nations worker in some of the world's most complex and dangerous places? How are UN humanitarians, human rights advocates, prosecutors, development experts, climate leaders and peacekeepers improving our world? Stationed in all reaches of the world and witness to suffering and atrocities, how are they helping people and coping themselves? To find out, Melissa Fleming meets them.Here you will discover extraordinary personal stories from people who devote their lives to helping others.

Awake At Night is a news podcast hosted by United Nations, Melissa Fleming, with 146 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

United Nations, Melissa Fleming hosts Awake At Night, a news show with 146 episodes published.

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  Episode #10

  Devising an end to hunger, with Máximo Torero Cullen - Chief Economist at the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

  Aug 18, 202639 minS13

  Máximo Torero Cullen is one of the world's leading voices on global hunger and food security. Currently serving as Chief Economist at the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), he uses his economic expertise to work towards the goal of a world where nobody goes to bed hungry. "I have been through many problems in life, which I have learned a lot as an economist. I was in the hyperinflation in Peru. I was in wars in Peru and terrorism... I have been in massive earthquake situations. So I have seen a lot, but I never expected how complex this sector would become." FAO partners with governments around the world to invest in areas with untapped agricultural potential, transforming lives in rural farming communities. It also works to secure the global food supply during crises such as the pandemic, the war in Ukraine, or the crisis in Strait of Hormuz. In this episode, Máximo Torero Cullen reflects on the process of dampening food price shocks, on investing in sustainable nutrition, and shares why he always trusts the knowledge of farmers. Edited transcript, photos, multimedia and more at the AAN website: https://www.un.org/en/awake-at-night/s13-maximo-torero-cullen-devising-an-end-to-hunger Podcast full video available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/XzRaFSKPW_s

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  Episode #9

  Surviving war to fight for peace, with Ozonnia Ojielo - United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ethiopia

  Aug 11, 202641 minS13

  As a child, Ozonnia Ojielo survived a brutal civil war in his native Nigeria in which starvation was used as a weapon. After training as a lawyer, an encounter with fellow survivors gave him new purpose and propelled him to his current role as the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Ethiopia. "She started crying. All the other guests started crying. I started crying as well. There I was, a very successful lawyer making a lot of money. But I said to myself, this is much more valuable. Trying to change people's lives, or at least be there as a voice for them." From Rwanda to Sierra Leone to Ethiopia, Ozonnia Ojielo has supported communities around the world as they navigate difficult journeys from violence to peace. In this episode, he reflects on the long shadow of genocide, on the delicate work of reintegrating both perpetrators and victims, and shares why the biggest currency the world can offer young people is hope. Edited transcript, photos, multimedia and more at the AAN website: https://www.un.org/en/awake-at-night/s13-ozonnia-ojielo-surviving-war-to-fight-for-peace Podcast full video available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/cN7ImhAXj8s

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  Episode #8

  Open the strait, with Arsenio Dominguez - Secretary-General of the United Nations International Maritime Organization (IMO)

  Aug 4, 202636 minS13

  Oil price surges have put international shipping in the spotlight in recent months. But what about the people behind the headlines? What happens to them when the news cycle moves on? "[Seafarers] feel forgotten because when they turn on the media, all the headlines are about how petrol is going up, how this is affecting the global economy, how things goes three, four times the price that normally they will pay for it, and nobody talks about the seafarer. We need more countries to recognize them as key workers." With up to 90 percent of all goods globally transported by sea, the United Nations International Maritime Organization (IMO) works to help commercial shipping and international trade ride the waves of war, piracy and geopolitics. Growing up near the Panama Canal, Arsenio Dominguez was always fascinated by mighty cargo ships sailing through on their way to distant shores. Now Secretary-General of the IMO, his role is to defend seafarers and give shipping the recognition it deserves. "Whenever you affect shipping, everybody else gets affected, even if you're not part of the conflict. This is not good for anyone. This is not good for the global population, for the global economy, for politics. We need to protect shipping more." In this episode, Arsenio Dominguez reflects on years of back-to-back challenges for international shipping, on efforts to decarbonize, and shares why the power of positive thinking and the encouragement of his mother have always been his guiding lights. Edited transcript, photos, multimedia and more at the AAN website: https://www.un.org/en/awake-at-night/s13-arsenio-dominguez-open-the-strait Podcast full video available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/LsGArn7T8i8

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  Episode #7

  Use AI responsibly for a better world, with Tshilidzi Marwala - Rector, United Nations University (UNU)

  Jul 28, 202647 minS13

  Growing up in rural South Africa, Tshilidzi Marwala first learned about engineering from his grandmother's handmade clay pots. Now rector of the United Nations University, the Under-Secretary-General is a vocal advocate of using artificial intelligence (AI) for good. "I would not trust AI. You are not supposed to trust AI. You are supposed to use it, always doubt it, always verify what it tells you, cross validate, so that you can be able to use it responsibly." Education has been a driving force throughout Tshilidzi Marwala's life, alongside the seismic transitions he has witnessed in his native country and around the world. "We [returned to South Africa just after the end of apartheid] and then we realized that freedom is beautiful… Democracy is a beautiful concept, but it's a very difficult journey. It's not an overnight thing." With a doctorate in neural networks among his many academic achievements, the UNU rector is familiar with the architecture behind the current rapid developments in AI. In this episode, he reflects on the intersection of political freedom, education and technology, and shares why digital literacy is among the most important skills of our age. "[AI is] making health accessible to people ... if you look at issues of food production, zero hunger is a reasonable goal. You know, I think AI can play a big role." Edited transcript, photos, multimedia and more at the AAN website: https://www.un.org/en/awake-at-night/s13-tshilidzi-marwala-use-ai-responsibly-for-a-better-world Podcast full video available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/y1Kh_BzIV7A

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  Episode #6

  Why I'm still an obstinate optimist, with Allegra Baiocchi - UN Resident Coordinator in Mexico

  Jul 21, 202640 minS13

  Born to Italian parents in Venezuela, Allegra Baiocchi has been on the move ever since and has lived in more than 25 countries around the world. Now UN Resident Coordinator in Mexico, she believes in the power of the United Nations to improve the well-being of all people, wherever they are. " I am truly an optimist. I do think we can turn this around, but it does need a lot of people taking action, and so I stay awake at night trying to figure out how to get people to act." Formerly the UN's chief humanitarian coordinator for western and central Africa, Allegra Baiocchi faced down overlapping deadly crises, from Ebola and war, to drought, famine and displacement. In this episode, she reflects on the highs and lows of her long and varied career, and shares how she brought up children who are as much citizens of the globe as she is. "There's still so much magic in the UN, because while we look at the disagreement, we're not seeing how much agreement is happening every day on many, many issues, and just that, you know, being able to bring the world around any topic and actually have them agree is incredible." Edited transcript, photos, multimedia and more at the AAN website: https://www.un.org/en/awake-at-night/s13-allegra-baiocchi-why-I-am-still-an-obstinate-optimist Podcast full video available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/7HA8wArE3aI

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