The Meeting
Anthony, a lighter version of his former self, walked the hallways of the 9th floor toward the designated meeting room. He knew little about his new assignment, and no one had shared any details. The air was thick with anticipation, though for what, he couldn’t say.
In the meeting room, Hadi sat near the head of the table. The two exchanged friendly nods and smiles. Anthony took a seat at the other end and pulled out his phone.
“You didn’t tell me you were part of this meeting,” Anthony typed.
“Surprise! Surprise!” Hadi replied.
“Do you have any idea what this is about?” Anthony asked.
“Patience, my friend. I think the outcome will be to your liking.”
Shortly after, the Under Secretary General (USG), who oversaw all matters related to the organization’s media, entered the room. Silence fell as everyone straightened in their seats, waiting for someone to speak.
“Thank you all for coming to this special meeting,” the USG began, his voice calm but commanding. “Most of you are here today to learn about a new global project. But before we dive into that, I’d like to go around the room and have everyone introduce themselves.” He gestured to the person on his right.
“Hi, I’m Kevin, head of the radio unit.”
“Hello, I’m Roberta from Brazil. I manage the TV unit.”
“Salam, I’m Labib. I handle all website-related matters.”
“I’m Stephanie. I manage the organization’s social media presence.”
“My name is Anthony. Photography unit.”
“I’m Nicolas, Chief of Publications and Print.”
“I’m Melissa, the USG’s executive assistant. I’m here to take notes.”
“I’m Hadi, Communications Officer, digital realm.”
The USG nodded, his gaze sweeping the room. “I’m sure most of you are curious about the reason for this meeting. Before we get into it, I want to commend everyone’s efforts during these challenging times. It’s because of your hard work that we’re in a position to aim higher. With that said, I’d like to discuss a new mega project aimed at improving our operations and brand, particularly in the digital space. This proposal has been approved by the Secretary-General’s office, and we’d like to act on it as soon as possible. It will unfold in several phases.”
He paused to sip from a glass of water. “The first phase will involve data gathering and analysis of the organization’s online accounts. We have too many, and consolidation is necessary. The second phase will extend to all affiliated agencies, ensuring synchronicity across our global presence. The third and final phase will involve rolling this out to our regional and, if needed, country offices.”
The USG placed his tablet on the table and turned to Hadi. “Hadi here will take charge, and he’ll be your main focal point.”
Heads turned toward Hadi, acknowledging his new role with nods and murmurs of approval.
“Hadi, the room is yours,” the USG said.
Hadi stood, his demeanor shifting to one of quiet authority. “Thank you, John, and thank you, everyone, for being here. As you know, we’ve been fully digital for the past two years. For many, it was the first time we truly appreciated the power of the internet to connect and sustain us during an unprecedented crisis. While we hope those days are behind us, we must apply the lessons we’ve learned.”
He cleared his throat, his tone growing more formal. “As John mentioned, we’re currently in the data collection phase, and everyone in this room is crucial to this process. We need your feedback and assessments of the work produced by your respective units, along with ideas to enhance our performance. Our brand must reflect the highest standards. You won’t find a Pepsi can in different shades of blue unless the company intended it. Yet, in our case, our logo and brand have been tarnished.”
Hadi’s gaze swept the room, catching Stephanie subtly rolling her eyes. He pressed on. “Addressing these issues is a top priority for the Secretary-General’s office. Additionally, we need to tackle our internal communication challenges. It’s baffling that with over a hundred thousand individuals working for this organization, only a few hundred actively engage with our online platform. These numbers are disheartening and suggest that not everyone within this building fully supports our mission. We must listen to our people and understand why they’re disengaged.”
His words hung in the air, heavy with implication. The room buzzed with a mix of apprehension and determination.
Hadi leaned back, gesturing to the presentation on the large screen behind him. “The first phase is about data gathering and analysis. Our preliminary review of our online presence is, frankly, disappointing. Inconsistent branding, redundant accounts, and low user engagement are just some of the issues we’ve identified. It’s as if we’ve been shouting into the digital void. We need to change that.”
He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. “We have a talented team, and each of you plays a pivotal role in this transformation. Your expertise is invaluable. But this project is about synergy—about coming together to rebuild our digital presence into a powerful tool for global change.”
As he scanned the room, his eyes met Stephanie’s. Her expression was curious, though tinged with skepticism. Hadi was determined to win her over.
“To achieve this,” he continued, “we need to foster a culture of collaboration. I encourage all of you to share your insights, ideas, and concerns. We must learn from one another and capitalize on our strengths. As we progress, I’ll be seeking feedback from each unit to guide our journey.”
Stephanie nodded, her expression softening slightly. Hadi took it as a small victory.
“In parallel with this project,” he added, “we’ll be launching internal communication initiatives to bridge the gap between headquarters and our regional and country offices. It’s essential that every member of this organization feels connected to the work we do, to the causes we champion. This isn’t just about rebranding; it’s about reaffirming our commitment to a better world.”
Hadi’s passion was palpable, and the room’s energy shifted from uncertainty to resolve.
As the meeting progressed, team leaders presented their initial findings, highlighting challenges and opportunities within their units. Anthony showcased a series of striking photographs capturing the UN’s work across the globe. He emphasized the need to bring these powerful visual stories to a broader audience.
Hadi knew Anthony would be a key collaborator. His ability to capture the essence of a moment through the lens would be instrumental in reinvigorating the UN’s online presence.
The meeting concluded with a renewed sense of purpose. Hadi thanked the team for their dedication and urged them to approach the project with open minds and a commitment to transformation.
As everyone filed out of the room, Anthony caught up with Hadi. “Impressive start, my friend. You had Stephanie nodding in agreement. That’s no small feat.”
Hadi grinned. “She’s a tough nut to crack, but I think she’s starting to see the potential. We have a long road ahead, but together, I believe we can make a real difference.”
“Yet something doesn’t add up,” Anthony added, his tone thoughtful.
With their project officially underway, Hadi and Anthony were determined to reshape the digital face of the United Nations, reaffirming its message of unity and change in a rapidly evolving world.
