Alain Seckler was originally from Luxembourg, trained to be a lawyer, started working in the UN, passed the bar exam, worked for the UN in Geneva, Luxembourg, ex-Yugolsavia during the conflict, Haiti, Congo, Guinea Bissau, Western Sahara and recently retired in NY. Throughout this time he was also a diplomat for Luxembourg in Brussels & EU.

This conversation explores the themes of personal and professional success, the importance of staying true to one's values, and why Alain chose the UN to create impact in the world and work in conflict zones. Alain shares his journey from law to diplomacy, emphasizing the significance of making a positive difference in the world and the challenges of navigating bureaucracy. The discussion also highlights the complexities of peacekeeping operations and the long-term nature of creating change.

"It takes time to see the impact of your work."

But what this conversation is really about is how we can experience personal growth through our professional endeavours, the importance of empathy, and the lessons learned from Alain’s global experiences. He emphasizes the need for integrity, perseverance, and the value of understanding diverse perspectives in achieving meaningful change.

So, if you want to hear a new perspective of success from someone who has spent their lives in a world of conflict, turmoil and impact, then listen in to hear Alain’s journey.

Jump straight to the part which interests you the most:

00:00 Sticking to Your Guns: The Importance of Belief

02:07 Defining Success: Personal and Professional Perspectives

06:08 Fitting In: Finding Your Place in the World

09:53 A Journey Through the UN: Career Path and Experiences

18:02 Impact in Conflict Zones: Stories from the Field

25:45 Navigating Bureaucracy: The Role of the UN

33:55 Elections and Peacekeeping: The UN's Role in Congo

34:21 Navigating the Complexities of Congo

40:02 The Role of the UN in Peacekeeping

45:49 Personal Growth Through Challenges

51:56 Lessons Learned from a Global Perspective

59:46 Defining Success and Staying True to Values

01:09:04 Final Reflections and Messages for the Future