Lighting Libya’s long path to peace, with Hanna Tetteh | SRSG for Libya | Awake at Night

Produced by United Nations

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. [00:00] Introduction [01:02] A mission in Libya [07:20] Working amid extreme risk [10:32] Leading as a woman in Libya [12:46] Empowering Libyan women [15:23] What keeps Hanna awake at night [18:22] The brutal reality facing migrants in Libya [21:06] Finding hope in small steps [23:54] Working through the curveballs [24:50] Climate change and conflict in the Horn of Africa [28:16] The cost of endless war [32:27] Lessons from Ghana’s political evolution [36:05] A childhood of ideas and identity [37:23] Family, culture and public service [38:46] Two cultures, one life [40:26] Staying committed in a world of competing interests [42:31] Peacebuilding takes patience [43:43] Hope for Libya’s future [45:16] Closing remarks Listen to more Awake at Night episodes: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwoDFQJEq_0b6hu1e8oxsch9W0D7vkNqt #podcast #UnitedNations #AwakeAtNight #Peacekeeping #Libya About Awake at Night Hosted by Melissa Fleming, UN Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications, the podcast ‘Awake at Night’ is an in-depth interview series focusing on remarkable United Nations staff members who dedicate their career to helping people in parts of the world where they have the hardest lives – from war zones and displacement camps to areas hit by disasters and the devastation of climate change.


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