Vito Musa

Country of Origin: Italy

Role at UNGSC: Senior Financial Information Assistant

Studying economics and working in the private sector, I understood that many decisions are made in pursuit of profit and power. I was afraid that I, too, would be absorbed by this way of being. However, the United Nations Charter set out an alternative vision for the world, one that is based on dignity and equality for all. I wanted to participate in realizing that aspiration.

Coming from the south of Italy, a region that has suffered economically in modern times, I saw how the presence of the UN, through the UNGSC Base, brought hope for the future. It is fitting that the Base is hosted in Brindisi. During the Roman Empire, Brindisi was a main harbor, connecting the Eastern Mediterranean with Rome, through the “Via Appia” road. Today, from this same city, UNGSC connects remote areas worldwide to global hubs and brings together local staff with talent from around the world.

The team* I work with at UNGSC is rather unique: A small team of locally recruited personnel, we serve as a pillar for the UN’s finance and procurement activities. It was established as a pilot initiative ten years ago with the mandate of consolidating the UN’s vendor data to enable comprehensive legal and financial due diligence. A novel aspect of the team was being hosted at UNGSC in Brindisi, while reporting directly to UN Headquarters in New York. **Based on its success, the pilot set a precedent for similar remote offices reporting to Headquarters.

There were, of course, challenges along the way, namely, regarding budgetary constraints and staff reduction. Having witnessed similar dynamics when supporting mission closures in Georgia and Cameroon, I understood that, while it would be challenging to retain staff, it was necessary to try and find solutions. Over time, several team members were contracted in some capacity.

Through that experience, I learned that no matter one’s level of seniority, through hard work and genuinely caring, it’s possible to make a positive difference. We can never be blind to the situations that surround us; to uphold the values of the UN is to always find the motivation to look to the future and help others.

People often criticize the UN because it’s not able to guarantee peace in the world, nor eliminate the inequalities that divide societies. When responding to those criticisms, I recall the statement by the UN’s second Secretary-General, Dag Hammarskj?ld, who said “The United Nations was not created in order to bring us to heaven, but in order to save us from hell.” The UN may not be able to prevent all wars and erase inequalities, but it can help mitigate the consequences and point humanity in the right direction.

* Master Data Management (MDM)

** The Department of Management, Strategy, Policy, and Compliance (DMSPC).