“In Syria, I was really struck by this lack of revenge. I haven't seen many people wanting revenge. They want justice. And that's really a very powerful attitude.”

A former judge, Catherine Marchi-Uhel spent a lifetime pursuing justice. Now leading the quest for accountability for atrocities and war crimes committed in the Syrian civil war, she finds comfort in survivors’ resilience and their determination to move on with their lives.

Catherine Marchi-Uhel reflects on the painstaking job of documenting brutality, the importance of preserving evidence, and how she keeps faith in the face of humanity’s darkest crimes.

Catherine Marchi-Uhel :: interviewed by Melissa Fleming

“I believe fundamentally that nations have to work together to solve these big environmental crises, you cannot solve them on your own.”

Lewis Pugh was never afraid to take the plunge. Now ocean advocate for the United Nations Environment Programme, the record-breaking cold-water swimmer has completed long distance swims at both of the Earth’s Poles, in the Red Sea, and along the length of the Hudson River, to spread a message of habitat renewal and conservation.

Healthy oceans, seas and rivers are essential to supporting life on Earth - providing food, medicine, and acting as the world’s largest carbon sink. In this episode, Lewis Pugh reflects on his love for the water, on his breathtaking swims, and  onbreaking the diplomatic ice to create the world’s largest marine park.

Lewis Pugh :: interviewed by Melissa Fleming

“I think it's a healthy feeling in such situations to get angry, and not to tolerate or accept the loss of so many lives at sea.”

Erasmia Roumana’s job requires extraordinary strength. Working in Greece as a protection associate with UNHCR, she interviews refugees who have survived devastating shipwrecks at sea after embarking on desperate journeys in search of a better life.

One tragic story stood out over the years. In 2014, Syrian refugee Doaa survived three days at sea following a shipwreck which killed 500 people, including her fiancé. Erasmia shares the latest fateful twist in Doaa’s story and reflects on the courage and resilience of the survivors she meets.

Erasmia Roumana :: interviewed by Melissa Fleming

“I have no doubt that Kenya is on an upward curve. I want the UN to contribute to that. I'm sure we all in the UN want that. And it keeps me awake at night.”

Stephen Jackson fell hard for Africa three decades ago, and never looked back. 

Africa is a continent set on rapid development, with many observers pointing to Kenya’s maturing democracy and green transition as a model for other nations.

In this episode, the UN Resident Coordinator in Kenya reflects on Africa’s fascinating diversity, as well as its invigorating self-confidence, resilience and ambition.

Stephen Jackson :: interviewed by Melissa Fleming

“You expect children to cry if they're suffering, but they don't even have the energy to cry. And the other thing is, I found that the mothers or the fathers are also silent. You know, luckily, many children survive when they get treatment, they are able to keep living.”

Reena Ghelani knows all too well the jarring silence of a crowded malnutrition ward. Now UN Famine Prevention and Response Coordinator, she spends every day working on the frontlines of the global fight against hunger. A deadly cocktail of conflict, climate change, and economic shocks have driven record numbers of people around the world to the brink of starvation. Reena reflects on the horrific impacts of hunger, on the lengths parents will go to feed a child and shares her advice for women pursuing a career as a humanitarian.

Reena Ghelani :: interviewed by Melissa Fleming