Files
Details
Title
Mats Persson: Knowledge Retention Interviews
Imprint
Rome: World Food Programme (WFP), July 2023.
Language Note
English
ISBN/LRC Code
WFPAVI007_1
Summary
The Knowledge Retention Interview series features Mats Persson, who retired from WFP after a career starting in 1997. Mats, an electronic engineer from Sweden, began as a regional telecommunications technician in Uganda, where he helped operationalize WFP's first email system through HF and VHF radios. He later helped implement the organization’s first VSAT system to handle increased data loads from Lotus Notes. Mats’ career highlights include negotiating a critical maize trade agreement for Uganda, piloting iron fortification for school feeding in the Philippines, and establishing mobile emergency response units with advanced communication systems. He also played a pivotal role in the successful deployment of WFP’s first supply chain commodity tracking system, LESS. Mats emphasizes the importance of trust and communication between TEC and other WFP divisions, advocating for more field experience to understand real-world challenges and avoid data fragmentation. He also highlights the need for better knowledge exchange and more field-based TEC personnel. His advice for the future includes placing more TEC staff in the field to truly understand and support WFP’s mission.
Note
Knowledge Retention Interviews
Call Number
AVI 007
Linked Resources
Full Audio Recording Stream
System Control No.
AV-128790
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Geographic Terms