Jan 17

Jan 17 Noeleen Heyzer – Through the Eyes of Experience | S1 E05

In these challenging times, we need wise women more than ever! For the last 40 years, Noeleen Heyzer, 68, has been a courageous and influential thinker and advocate for women’s rights, workers’ rights, climate justice and so many other issues. Until 2015, she was the United Nations Under-Secretary General for the entire Asia-Pacific region and, from 1994 to 2007, she was the Executive Director for the UN Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM).

Noeleen’s leadership, writing and actions have inspired many thousands of men and women – including her two phenomenal and talented daughters, Pauline and Lilianne -- to stand up, speak up and make a difference in the world. She now lives in Thailand and Singapore, so we were thrilled to catch up with Noeleen when she visited New York in September 2016 and to hear what she’s been thinking about since her retirement from the United Nations.

Find out more about Noeleen at her website. In the meantime, hope you’ll find Noeleen’s words as inspiring as we did!

And, a special note to our colleagues from UNIFEM: We loved reminiscing and talking about all of the strategies and changes we collectively were able to support during those amazing years. This conversation is a tribute to all of you wherever you are!!!

Musical credits:

Sweet Honey in the Rock: Ella's Song
Bob Marley: Get Up Stand Up