by Matthew Russell Lee, Patreon Book Substack
UN GATE, Feb 10 – How corrupt is today's UN under Antonio Guterres? Today's example is UNDP's UNCDF, about which his spokespeople Stephane Dujarric and Melissa Fleming refuse all Press questions. Inner City Press has asked them, and others at the UN - Nothing.
Most of us employees at UNCDF were encouraged by the whistle blower article on the abuse of authority and discriminatory recruiting practices by Prandeep Kurukulasuriya. The article captured accurately what many of us had been afraid to voice - a leader who is out of control and who does not seem to fully understand the nuances of running a complex organization. We would like to add to those voices.
Please note that contrary to what UNDP/UNCDF management is communicating, that the article was a resistance to the needed change, most of us as professionals are not averse to change. In fact, we welcome change and understand it necessary for any organization to move forward. What many of us are opposed to, is the erratic, chaotic, discriminatory way that the change management has been done.
The process has not been transparent, nor based on merit and has resulted in Prandeep hand picking his cronies, many of them without the necessary depth for crucial positions he has handed them on silver platters. This has been at the expense of the more qualified candidates. For UN/UNDP/UNCDF management to trivialize it as noise from individuals averse to change is an abdiction of their fiduciary responsibilities to both the employees and the organization.
To UNDP and the overall UN leadership We have been disappointed and let down by your lack of action, for letting this happen in the first place, for not giving UNCDF the leadership that it deserves given the mandate and for violating our trust. We still hope you can act. So far, we still do not know what you are doing. Instead, the intimidation is continuing. One on one people are being intimidated into silence. History will not judge you well. We ask that you update UNCDF about your investigation. This is an organization wide matter. You cannot hide behind confidentiality and secret discussions. We ask that you ensure that the staff is safe. It is not acceptable for the person being investigated to be the one emailing staff and advising them on what to do and not to do. We ask that you do not sacrifice the health and well being of hundreds of employees and the people we serve for one person
We'll have more on all this. No answer from UN Spox Dujarric nor Melissa Fleming on this. Keep the info coming.
***
Your support means a lot. As little as $5 a month helps keep us going and grants you access to exclusive bonus material on our Patreon page. Click here to become a patron.
Feedback: Editorial [at] innercitypress.com
