Growing up in rural South Africa, Tshilidzi Marwala first learned about engineering from his grandmother's handmade clay pots. Now rector of the United Nations University, the Under-Secretary-General is a vocal advocate of using artificial intelligence (AI) for good. "I would not trust AI. You are not supposed to trust AI. You are supposed to use it, always doubt it, always verify what it tells you, cross validate, so that you can be able to use it responsibly." Education has been a driving force throughout Tshilidzi Marwala's life, alongside the seismic transitions he has witnessed in his native country and around the world. "We [returned to South Africa just after the end of apartheid] and then we realized that freedom is beautiful… Democracy is a beautiful concept, but it's a very difficult journey. It's not an overnight thing." With a doctorate in neural networks among his many academic achievements, the UNU rector is familiar with the architecture behind the current rapid developments in AI. In this episode, he reflects on the intersection of political freedom, education and technology, and shares why digital literacy is among the most important skills of our age. "[AI is] making health accessible to people ... if you look at issues of food production, zero hunger is a reasonable goal. You know, I think AI can play a big role." Edited transcript, photos, multimedia and more at the AAN website: https://www.un.org/en/awake-at-night/s13-tshilidzi-marwala-use-ai-responsibly-for-a-better-world Podcast full video available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/y1Kh_BzIV7A

Born to Italian parents in Venezuela, Allegra Baiocchi has been on the move ever since and has lived in more than 25 countries around the world. Now UN Resident Coordinator in Mexico, she believes in the power of the United Nations to improve the well-being of all people, wherever they are. "I am truly an optimist. I do think we can turn this around, but it does need a lot of people taking action, and so I stay awake at night trying to figure out how to get people to act." Formerly the UN's chief humanitarian coordinator for western and central Africa, Allegra Baiocchi faced down overlapping deadly crises, from Ebola and war, to drought, famine and displacement. In this episode, she reflects on the highs and lows of her long and varied career, and shares how she brought up children who are as much citizens of the globe as she is. "There's still so much magic in the UN, because while we look at the disagreement, we're not seeing how much agreement is happening every day on many, many issues, and just that, you know, being able to bring the world around any topic and actually have them agree is incredible." Edited transcript, photos, multimedia and more at the AAN website: https://www.un.org/en/awake-at-night/s13-allegra-baiocchi-why-I-am-still-an-obstinate-optimist  Podcast full video available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/7HA8wArE3aI 

War is Mary Maker's earliest memory. Born in South Sudan and named Nyiriak  — meaning "war" — she spent her youth living and working in one of the world's largest refugee camps. Now a Goodwill Ambassador for UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, she is raising her voice on behalf of those she left behind, helping refugee students land scholarships to top universities. "I want to be seen. I want to be heard. I want to be acknowledged. I want to be at the table, making decisions and feeling like a part of something. Are you able to see us? Are you? Are you able to go beyond the news and really understand that this is someone like you?" After her family fled to safety, Mary built a new life of opportunity through education and hard work – finding her feet, and her voice, on stage. In this episode, she shares how she overcame a childhood marred by death and conflict, and how theater became both her refuge and her path forward. "You're taking this new title, the refugee ... and you see the UNHCR logo, with the hands holding each other. And I remember my mom trying to spell it out for me, UNHCR. And she's like, we're safe. I think we made it." Edited transcript, photos, multimedia and more at the AAN website: https://www.un.org/en/awake-at-night/s13-mary-maker-launching-a-new-life-from-a-refugee-camp  Podcast full video available on YouTube:  https://youtu.be/8kCtNQJGf4s 

Fighting for and believing in change is in Jorge Moreira da Silva's blood. Now executive director of UNOPS, the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), the former Portuguese minister is helping to improve lives. From restoring roads and repairing power plants to running health centres and constructing renewable energy mini-grids, UNOPS implements projects in more than 130 countries – often in fragile and conflict-affected settings. "It's about providing social basic human needs. We have found a way to provide livelihoods to 15 million people in Afghanistan...rehabilitating roads, streets, water canals, paying men and women to do the job." In this episode, Jorge Moreira da Silva reflects on the practical and political challenges of delivering projects in complex environments – from funding gaps to lack of political will. He also shares how releasing an Iberian lynx and earning his pilot's license have to do with keeping hope alive through dark times. Since this interview was recorded, the UN Secretary-General has appointed Jorge Moreira da Silva to lead the UN task force for the Strait of Hormuz. The Initiative aims to facilitate the delivery and movement of much needed fertilisers and related raw materials to Asia and the African continent. The urgent delivery of these fertilisers is crucial to avert more hunger and food insecurity. He has been engaged in extensive consultations with all parties involved to drive this initiative. Edited transcript, photos, multimedia and more at the AAN website: https://www.un.org/en/awake-at-night/s13-jorge-moreira-da-silva-building-the-foundations-for-human-dignity  Podcast full video available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/s0618xFbT_M 

Elpida Rouka's first name means hope in Greek, a feeling that can sometimes be elusive when serving in the most troubled places on earth. Currently a senior political affairs officer in Geneva, she is a survivor of the 2003 Baghdad Canal Hotel bombing, the deadliest attack in UN history. "First you feel the shake, and the light, and then the blast, the sound comes. I blacked out between exiting the building, but when I was out, there was just a scene of a massacre. The only thing I recall after that was being thrown a phone and told: 'Call your parents, now.'" Humanitarian workers are routinely exposed to primary and secondary trauma. Yet stigma and survivor's guilt can prevent aid workers seeking timely help for post-traumatic stress. In this episode, Elpida Rouka reflects on grief, loss, and mental and physical scars, and shares why the exact wording of the preamble of the UN Charter has helped give her the strength to heal. Edited transcript, photos, multimedia and more at the AAN website: https://www.un.org/en/awake-at-night/s13-elpida-rouka-overcoming-trauma-in-the-service-of-peace  Podcast full video available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/F24g2DhQUb8  

Former Ghanian Foreign Minister Hanna Tetteh knows first hand the responsibility that comes from being an elected politician. Now head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya, she draws on that experience as she works to get the nation onto a peaceful and democratic footing. "I have to be optimistic. Otherwise I'll stop. And I think that when you're doing this kind of job, you have to keep yourself optimistic. You always have to find openings and entry points and try to see what you can work with and where you can create some opportunity to have a conversation that results in some concrete outcome." Politics was always present in Hanna Tetteh's house growing up. Inspired by a dual heritage rooted in Hungary and Ghana, she became a passionate advocate of inclusive dialogue. In this episode, she reflects on her journey into politics, on bringing women and youth on board for Libya's future, and shares why, when it comes to peace-building, patience is the biggest virtue. Edited transcript, photos, multimedia and more at the AAN website: https://www.un.org/en/awake-at-night/s13-hanna-tetteh-lighting-libya-long-path-to-peace  Podcast full video available on YouTube: https://youtu.be/jCVHfShyj6w 

From Bangladesh to Kosovo, Syria to Sudan, Kelly Clements has spent more than 30 years helping to save lives during some of the biggest refugee and humanitarian crises in recent times. Now the outgoing Deputy High Commissioner at the UN's refugee agency, UNHCR, she's making an impassioned case for a more humane world. "How can we convince those that continue to wage wars that continue to treat people badly? How can we show what's possible with a little hope, compassion, and more peace? The force of good is much stronger than the force of evil." Global refugee needs are surging as wealthy nations turn away from helping the most vulnerable people on earth. In this episode, Kelly Clements reflects on her deep frustration at the devastating cuts to life-saving UN services, on the lasting power of helping just one person, and shares how the love of her family always gives her strength to serve. Edited transcript, photos, multimedia and more at the AAN website:  https://www.un.org/en/awake-at-night/s13-kelly-clements-the-force-of-good-is-much-stronger-than-the-force-of-evil  Podcast full video available on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qm747kvVrPU

 Bintou Keita knows instinctively that some moments call for a more human response than words alone can offer. Once, at a ceremony to mark the end of the devastating Ebola epidemic in Sierra Leone, she found herself hesitating to deliver her pre-prepared statement to a grief-stricken crowd. "I have my statement, but I can't deliver [it] because there's something else I have to do before. And in that moment, what came to me was humming, so I did it. And at that moment, the tears - my own, the tears in the audience - came out. These people were grieving, were still mourning."  Bintou Keita has retired after 36 years with the UN, most recently the Secretary-General's Special Representative in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and head of the peacekeeping mission there. In this episode, she reflects on times when peacekeepers saved thousands of lives, on how women can lead the way out of devastating conflicts, and shares why she has learned to never say never. "We kind of lost our way to our heart. We believe that there is a divide between when we are working and when we are not working. And I don't believe in that. I think we are bringing who we are in the work." Transcript, photos and more: https://www.un.org/en/awake-at-night/s12-bintou-keita-why-peace-begins-with-people-not-power 

 A medical doctor by training, Dr. Felipe Paullier is a passionate advocate for young people. Two years ago, aged just 32, his life took a new turn when he became the first-ever Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs, the youngest senior appointment in the history of the United Nations. "Leaving young people at the sidelines of how we find solutions is not the way. It's really bringing them [in], because on many of the things, the solutions will come from them."  The UN Youth Office believes that positive change is rooted in empowering young people to meaningfully participate in decisions that impact their lives and futures. In this episode, Felipe reflects on youth demands for peace and opportunity, on the stubborn barriers to change, and shares why he always prescribes reconnecting with nature as a cure for digital overwhelm. "I've heard this from the Secretary General. You know, power, in essence, is not to be given, it's to be taken. " Photos, transcript and more: https://www.un.org/en/awake-at-night/s12-felipe-paullier-youth-power-and-possibility 

 After enlisting at 18, Cheryl Pearce battled rigid gender barriers to rise through the military ranks. Now the UN's Acting Military Adviser for Peacekeeping Operations, the Australian-born Lieutenant General is the highest ranking woman in uniform within the United Nations. "Peace for me, is seeing communities having food security, having water security, education, knowing, you know, as a mum myself, knowing that my children can grow up to feel like that. They can have a life and a future and fulfill their dreams and goals."  Lieutenant General Pearce knows what it takes to serve in some of the most difficult places on earth, from East Timor to Afghanistan. In this episode, she reflects on the sources of her mental and physical resilience, on making a robust case for peacekeeping in an age of disinformation, and shares why her family wants her to show her chaotic side once in a while. Photos, transcript and more: https://www.un.org/en/awake-at-night/s12-cheryl-pearce-how-to-lead-forces-for-peace