Introducing Delivering as One, a UN in China conversation presented by Resident Coordinator Siddharth Chatterjee: Episode 1 with Cynthia McCaffrey

In the first episode of the Delivering as One podcast, UN Resident Coordinator in China Siddharth Chatterjee sits down with Cynthia McCaffrey, the UNICEF Representative to China.

"Xue Wu Zhi Jin - Every day is a learning experience."

Raised in New York, Ms. McCaffrey was instilled with a love and respect for learning and knowledge at a young age. After her start in international humanitarian work with the International Rescue Committee and subsequent travel and work in posts ranging from Latin America to Africa, Ms. McCaffrey joined UNICEF in 2001. 

Having worked in the Beijing Country Office since 2016, Ms. McCaffrey leads UNICEF in China's efforts to promote policies and laws that better deliver on children's rights, a fundamental component to the work of leaving no one behind.

In this pilot episode, Ms. McCaffrey shares her insights learnt on the ground in China in areas such as children's physical and mental health, education, and nutrition. Together with the Resident Coordinator, the two discuss barefoot doctors, China's progress in early childhood development, enabling the potential of China's young people, and talk about how UNICEF in China contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, as part of the UN system in China.

Listen to the first episode of Delivering as One below and stay tuned for future instalments.

Cynthia McCaffrey 

Prior to moving to the UNICEF country office in Beijing, Ms. McCaffrey served in New York holding several leadership roles since 2011, including Director of the Office of Innovation, Director of the Office of the Executive Director and Chief of Staff.

Ms. McCaffrey has a long history with UNICEF that dates back to 2001. She has demonstrated a strong desire to achieve results for children, including serving as a Senior Programme Advisor, leading the relationship between the children’s agency and the governments of the United States, Canada, and Ireland; and as a Senior Vice President at the United States Fund for UNICEF.

Ms. McCaffrey began her career in international development with the International Rescue Committee (IRC) in New York. She has travelled and worked overseas, including posts in Latin America and Africa. She coordinated issues regarding Africa, debt relief, health, education and post-conflict for the office of the U.S. Executive Director at the World Bank. And she served at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Ms. McCaffrey was selected to be a White House Fellow in 1995. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Latin American Studies from Vanderbilt University and a master’s in public policy from the University of Texas. Ms. McCaffrey spends her free time with her husband cheering at their daughters’ basketball and soccer games, admiring their dance performances and attending comedy shows featuring her brother.

Siddharth Chatterjee 

Mr. Siddharth Chatterjee took office as the United Nations Resident Coordinator in China on 16 January 2021 and is the designated representative of - and reports to - the UN Secretary-General. He presented his letter of credence to the President of China on 14 April 2021.

Mr. Chatterjee has more than 25 years of experience in international cooperation, sustainable development, humanitarian coordination and peace and security in the United Nations and the Red Cross movement. He has served in many fragile and war-torn countries all over the world.

A 3 times TEDx speaker, he is a regular opinion contributor on humanitarian and development issues for a range of journals which includes Newsweek, Los Angeles Times, Reuters, Huffington Post, Forbes, CNN, Al Jazeera, the Guardian as well as of late he has also published in mainstream Chinese journals.

Mr. Chatterjee holds a master’s degree in public policy from Princeton University in the United States of America.