Finland’s Elisabeth Rehn aims for UNICEF top job
After just losing the Finnish presidential race, Elisabeth Rehn is aiming for the post of Director General of UNICEF. (See DT 4/94)
The current head of UNICEF, the American James P. Grant, is to resign at year’s end. UN Secretary General Boutros Boutros-Ghali has indicated unofficially his openness to consider a Nordic candidate for the position that has traditionally been filled by the United States.
Boutros-Ghali’s stance appears to reflect recognition of the Nordic UN reform initiative, which aims to make the UN System more efficient.
Rehn, 58, has worked with Finland’s UNICEF Association for 12 years. Finland is actively lobbying for support for Rehn’s candidacy. Sweden has strongly endorsed her, and it now appears likely she will be nominated as a joint Nordic candidate.