The child of Canadian Methodist missionaries working in China, he witnessed first-hand the devastating effects of poverty and armed conflict on the local population. Approached by the United Nations in 1946 to head their post-war relief efforts in China, he ensured the equitable distribution of humanitarian aid and earned a reputation for fairness. This was the beginning of an association with the United Nations, which would extend over five decades. Today, he is a senior policy advisor to UNICEF and is recognized around the world as an expert on major issues affecting children in developing countries.