51³Ô¹Ï

Having overcome a childhood marked by violence, abuse and neglect, Benjamin Perks has always drawn strength from an innate sense of optimism. Now Head of Campaigns and Advocacy at UNICEF, the 51³Ô¹Ï Children's Fund, he helps protect young people in similar situations all over the world.

¡°I think it was very clear that we were in a bad spot, though, being dealt a bad hand, but I was somehow optimistic that things would be better.¡±

Having recently authored a book about his experiences, Trauma Proof, Benjamin Perks reflects in this episode on a lifetime campaigning for all children to be safe, seen, and soothed, and on how an encounter with a special teacher put his life back on track.

¡°When I held my son in my arms, I knew that what had happened to me was now unimaginable to myself¡­ that made me ask the question, if I can heal from it, if I can recover and not transmit it to my child, can we do this for the whole of humanity?¡±

Banjamin Perks :: interviewed by Melissa Fleming

Just days before, she recalled, ¡°he kissed us goodbye, and I remember telling him in my joking way: ¡®Be sure you come back.¡¯¡±

UN official Laura Dolci was feeding her baby son when she heard the devastating news that her husband Jean-S¨¦lim Kanaan had been killed in a suicide bomb attack on the UN Headquarters in Baghdad, Iraq. It was August 19, 2003: the darkest day in UN history, and the darkest day in her life.

Working through tremendous trauma, Laura Dolci became a fierce advocate for terrorism victims ¨C calling for recognition and support to those affected by what she calls a senseless crime. At the 51³Ô¹Ï, she is now a distinguished leader in international human rights. 

Laura reflects on the meaning of the term resilience, on her late husband¡¯s legacy, and on her hopes for their son. ¡°One of the first things I had to tell [my son] was, ¡®Your father was killed.¡¯  [...] How do you make sure that the next generation can still believe in justice, in mediation, in respect, in resolving tensions and conflicts?¡±

Laura Dolci :: interviewed by Melissa Fleming

¡°We cannot have health without peace. Peace is the most urgent medicine.¡±

As a doctor, Dr. Hans Kluge helped save lives in some of the toughest places on Earth. Now the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Director for Europe, he is working to improve the health of hundreds of millions of people - in a region stretching from Vladivostok to Lisbon.

Stepping into his European role just as a global pandemic swept the earth, Hans never dreamed that his previous experience in crisis-hit sub-Saharan Africa would prove so useful. He reflects on lessons learned during COVID, the mental health crisis, and on surprising methods to build trust with remote communities.

¡°My dream and my vision is that we have a culture of health [...] independent of your financial means, your sexual orientation, whether you are documented or an undocumented migrant, that you are empowered to live a healthy life, [...] we have to have universal health coverage.¡±

Hans Kluge :: interviewed by Melissa Fleming

¡°We want people to scream at the top of their lungs saying enough is enough [¡­] We as humanity will not tolerate this, regardless of what and where it is happening. It's just not right if you are hurting women, children, innocent people.¡±

Arif Husain has spent the past decade raising his voice on behalf of those struggling to get enough to eat. Now Chief Economist at the World Food Programme (WFP), he is calling for the world to put a stop to mass hunger.

There is no shortage of food in the world, yet WFP says the number of people going hungry has more than doubled in the past five years. Arif reflects on how the deadly trio of conflict, climate change and economics conspire to breed hunger, and offers listeners hope from a surprising source.

Arif Husain :: interviewed by Melissa Fleming

¡°I don't think you can underestimate the capacity of human ingenuity to come up with solutions at a blistering pace.¡±

Acclaimed actor, filmmaker and three-time Academy Award nominee Edward Norton has long been raising his voice on behalf of the planet and its most vulnerable communities. As a UN Goodwill Ambassador for Biodiversity, he is championing the protection of biodiversity for the well-being of all.

¡°I started diving, when I was 14, in the Caribbean. The change to the reef environments in the Caribbean in my adult lifetime is staggering and really upsetting [...] It looks like a burnt forest or something. It¡¯s just not, it¡¯s not as alive.¡±

Working closely with communities in East Africa and around the world, Edward is pushing for conservation that also tackles poverty by providing sustainable sources of income for local communities.

Edward Norton :: interviewed by Melissa Fleming