Middle East & North Africa IPTI Participants

Awanah Taiwah Rosetta Flee
Awanah Taiwah Rosetta Flee
Awanah Taiwah Rosetta Flee was born and raised in Liberia and comes from Bong County. Ms. Flee is a candidate of Bachelors of Arts in Sociology and Management respectively.
She has eight years of experience in holistic peacebuilding and has represented her organization the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP- Liberia). She has benefited from trainings such as Peacebuilding Paradigm Shift, Youth and peace Education, Women In Peacebuilding, Early Warning and Early response, Mediation, Non Violence, Gender and Peace Education and more.
Gayane Astoyan
Gayane Astoyan
Gayane Astoyan holds an undergraduate degree from Academic College Gyumri, Armenia and a Master’s degree in languages from Gyumri State Pedagogical Institute. She holds a European Diploma in Cultural Project Management for her work, “ Culture as a Leader of Peace Revolution,” which was aimed at conflict transformation and peace-building in Caucasus through culture.

In 2015, Gayane established an NGO, Identity and Worldview, in Gyumri. It’s mission includes: educating and supporting young people of Caucasus, Europe and Middle East to become more self-sustained, taking critical views and utilizing analytical thinking; raising awareness about inter-social and intercultural dialogue; and contributing to peacebuilding in the Caucasus. Gayane is now working on, “ Migration- View from Inside”. The project’s aims are to: promote dialogue between the communities of hosting countries and immigrants; equip young people from Gyumri, Armenia and Syrian young immigrants with knowledge of intercultural dialogue, respect, tolerance and leadership skills through non-formal education; provide 20 young people with journalistic, interviewing and photo-making skills; and raise awareness of the local communities of Gyumri, Armenia, and other young people from other cities of Armenia by organizing exhibitions in Gyumri, Yerevan, Vanadzor, Ejmiacin, Abovyan, Ashtarak.
Ayca Bestepe Guncakin
Ayca Bestepe Guncakin
Ayca Bestepe Guncakin has a track-record of over 13 years working as a Networking & Communications Expert, including more than 10 years in communication & PR activities such as public awareness, campaigns management, visibility and publicity. Ms Bestepe Guncakin holds a University degree in Philosophy and currently is obtaining a Master's Degree in Human Resources.
During her career, she has worked in both the public and private sector and has collaborated with numerous CSOs, NGOs, networks/platforms/initiatives, public institution, municipalities, professional associations, universities, companies and different donors (EU, BM). She has experience and knowledge in communication methods, approaches and tools with a specific emphasis to involvement of disadvantaged groups. Through her latest experience working as Project Officer & Communication Expert for “Technical Assistance for Civil Society Organizations (TACSO)” project she provided technical advice to CSOs on how to effectively increase their capacities and improve the status of the specific groups they represent.
Dorina Prech
Dorina Prech
Dorina Prech is born and raised in West Pokot County of Kenya and was fortunate to get an education, and went ahead to secure a scholarship with the USAID’s PEPFAR scholarship. Dorina graduated with honours in International Relations from the United States International University. She is an associate member of MBBI’s Kenya Initiative. Dorina is also a Communications Officer at Regional Learning and Advocacy Project, working on issues relating to the drylands of Kenya, Ethiopia and Uganda.

Dorina has a mentorship programme for young girls “Each One Teach One” from Pokot, where she invites guests from other regions of the country, to do school visits to equip girls with the necessary skills to be able to cope with challenges such as female genital mutilation, forced marriage, and pressure to drop out of school for the male gender. She also engages with women from Pokot to tap into their entrepreneurial skills to produce beads and baskets weaving for economic gains given recurring droughts. Dorina intends to study her Masters in Gender and Development Studies.
Reham Elgebaly
Reham Elgebaly
Reham Elgebaly is a Senior Civic Education Consultant for the Egyptian government. She is charged with establishing a policy for including Syrian students within the Egyptian educational system. She manages workshops and activities--- encouraging the Egyptian students to welcome those who are in need of the country’s help.
Laiki Saban
Laiki Saban
Laiki Saban, graduated with a B.A. in Bible Science and Israel Studies, holds an MSc in Communication, is licensed as a group tutor (coaching teaching processes), and is a mediator. As part of her belief in the power of dialog and education, with a specific orientation to democratic education, she has worked in Israel's education system for 35 years as an educator and a teacher. Since being exposed to the mediation world in year 2000, she has been using this concept as a molding tool in addition to her previous knowledge and experiences, both in community life and educational frameworks.

Today, she guides groups in versatile subjects using 3 main methods: Texts from the Bible; "learning from successes - ongoing learning"; and mediation. She is a professional coach for mediation and dialog programs in the community. She is the co-director of the Acre Mediation and Dialog Center and is highly involved in community projects and mediating conflicts as well as active in Oranim College, an educational center for renewal of Jewish life in Israel.
Jinane Doumit Nader
Jinane Doumit Nader
Jinane Doumit Nader is the Tender Manager at MenaPro since September 2015. Jinane has 15 years overall experience in the: planning, design, implementation and evaluation of programmes and projects of the civil society sector---specifically NGOs. She is a civil society activist who has a long track record of mediating conflict between sectarian groups in Lebanon and building the capacity of a number of organizations to mitigate local conflicts. She is a co-founder of Mobadiroun, a newly established NGO aiming to promote citizenship through the promulgation of participation mechanisms in public affairs for women and youth. Moreover, she is serving since 2011 as a Social Consultant for a number of local and international organizations to empower and build capacity of women, youth and children.

She coordinated, as program manager, multitude of projects such as: Citizen Lebanon project, Youth Participation Rights and Stop Child Soldiers funded by EU and other International organizations. As an assistant director of Displaced Youth, she visited more than 90 villages, organized 45 training workshops, and trained 800 youths from different ethnic groups. A former Red Cross volunteer, Ms. Doumit studied conflict transformation at the Summer Peace Building Institute at Eastern Mennonite University in Virginia. She holds a bachelor degree in international business management from Notre Dame University.
Lantano Nabaala
Lantano Nabaala
Lantano Nabaala is a Volunteer National Coordinator and leads the Kenya Pastoralist Network Trust (KPN), an under-the-radar grassroots organization committed to eradicating cattle rustling and inter-tribal conflict in all pastoralist communities of Kenya. KPN has successfully led peace caravans and established ongoing infrastructures for peace in Laikipia, Samburu and Isiolo counties. Lantano is known throughout these areas as the “Man of Peace.” In his position, he builds trust between this network and the government and international communities, conducts training on the ground, linking youth with other peacekeepers, and provides civic education through radio and television programs and local meetings.He brings an authentic engagement and capacity to connect with people and developed an effective early warning network throughout the pastoralists’ lands.

Lantano holds his Bachelors degree in Education from the University of the Gambia, received diplomas in Community Based Development and Peacebuilding and Conflict Management, and also completed a Community Based Rehabilitation Trainer or Trainers course. He has a background as a marketing manager and director in project management and evaluation.
Rachelle Abi Lahoud
Rachelle Abi Lahoud
Rachelle Abi-Lahoud is a Phd Candidate in Alternative Dispute Resolution at Paris X-Nanterre University, and a practicing lawyer at the Beirut Bar Association. Previously, she was a civil law teaching assistant at Paris II University - Melun. She has trained for ten months at the International Chamber for Commerce where she worked in ADR with a specific focus on Mediation, and seven months in arbitration at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer. Rachelle holds a Masters in Arbitration and ADR from the Lebanese University accredited by the University of Paris II, and a Mediation Diploma from IFOMENE, Paris Catholic University. Rachelle is deeply involved in Community Service; she has been a volunteering as a first aider, and as first aid mission leader in the Lebanese Red Cross for eight years. She is an active member in Mediators Beyond Borders (MBBI) since 2013. She speaks French, English, and Arabic.
Vaiba Kebeh Flomo
Vaiba Kebeh Flomo
Vaiba Kebeh Flomo works for the Lutheran Church in Liberia – Trauma Healing and Reconciliation Program as Women/Youth’s Desk Officer. She holds a Bachelor of Art Degree in Sociology and Public Administration from the University of Liberia. She is a Peace Activist, and 2010 Women PeaceMaker at the Joan B. Kroc Institute of Peace & Justice, School of Peace Studies. Vaiba has participated in the Precarious Progress on the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325, Women Peace and Security organized by the Joan B. Kroc Institute of Peace and Justice, School of Peace Studies. She has also had some training in conflict Resolution/Transformation and Peace Education at local and international levels. She is featured in the documentary called Pray the Devil Back to Hell, is a member of the Women’s Leadership Cohort Eastern Mennonite University (EMU) and student of the Graduate Certificate Program in conflict and peace studies, EMU.
Radha Paudel
Radha Paudel
Radha Paudel is an activist for rural transformation through persistent efforts on human rights, peacebuilding and community development. She is a survivor of 10 years of Maoist conflict in Nepal. She is also survivor of Gender Based Violence. She is an N-Peace Awardee for 2012 (UNDP), Women Peace Maker 2012 (USD, IPJ, USA) and Youth Talent Awardee 2013 (Ministry of Youth and Sports, Nepal Government). She recently published a memoir. She is engaged through a campaign called `Miteri Gau-Let's Live Together'. Miteri is a non-violent, widely accepted, indigenous practice which means mutual love and respect beyond marriage and kinship. As a result, she is working for rural areas such as Karnali, in the far west and other regions of Nepal. She has over 18 years experience and has a multidisciplinary educational background.
Sallama Al-Khafaji
Sallama Al-Khafaji
Sallama Al-Khafaji is from an Iraqi family that practices religious rites but believe in the state of citizenship where everyone lives under civil laws. She lives in a multi - spectral community and knows the value and importance of social diversity in the construction of the Iraqi state. Dr. Al-Khaffaji is a dentist and was a member of the Faculty of Dentistry - University of Baghdad for the period (1983 - 2003). She helped the families of political prisoners during the former regime. In 2003 she was elected by the members of the Iraqi Governing Council. Having this post makes her family and relatives a target for terrorist groups. She participated in the writing of the law of the Iraqi State Administration for the Transitional Period (when she was a member of the Iraqi Governing Council), and contributed to writing the Iraqi constitution. Al-Khafaji is one of the founding members the Iraqi Centre for the Skills of Negotiation and Conflict Management, and a founding member of the Iraqi Women’s Movement for a Lasting Peace.
Basma Fakri
Basma Fakri
Basma Fakri is working tirelessly to empower Iraqi women, support freedom and democracy in Iraq. Since immigrating to the US in 1982, Ms. Fakri co-founded the Women’s Alliance for a Democratic Iraq (WAFDI), an organization dedicated to a free and democratic Iraq with full and equal individual rights for women. She sat on the steering committee of the Network of Iraqi American Organizations in Michigan and was a member of the Women for a Free Iraq campaign. Ms. Fakri organized, led and managed many training sessions on women’s political participation, ending violence against women, economic empowerment and rights in Baghdad, Beirut and the US. She worked as a voter education officer and national counting officer with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) during the first Iraq out-of-country voting. Additionally, she cooperated with high-level policymakers: addressed the UN Security Council in a closed session about women, peace, security and the role of Iraqi women in building the peace in Iraq. Ms. Fakri holds a Bachelor and a Master Degrees in Civil Engineering, and a Master in Public Administration from Harvard Kennedy School. Currently, Ms. Fakri is Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Iraq Foundation.
Nariman Hamo
Nariman Hamo
Nariman Hamo is an IT Engineer and Project Manager and work in Center for Civil Society and Democracy in Syria (CCSDS). As project manager in the "Women for the Future of Syria program" for CCSDS. Her work is focused on enabling every individual to practice her/his humanity. She thinks that it would be great to optimize her life and future by enriching her knowledge while at the same time gaining skills and competences that suit the current Syrian needs.
She says, “After the regime is gone and the situation settles, I believe that the Syrian young potentials, especially women, should be ready to participate even lead the process of building the new Syria. I myself would like to be a part of the whole process." She is interested in cultural exchanges which allows her to work on learning languages to communicate with other nationalities. She speaks Kurdish, Arabic, English fluently. She also speaks, reads and writes Japanese.
Hannah F Koroma
Hannah F Koroma
Hannah F Koroma, is the National Coordinator for Women Against Violence and Exploitation in Society, in Bo, Sierra Leone. She has a combined 30 years of administrative experience in: Secretary Certificate Training Centre - Faculty of Agriculture, Faculty of Environmental Sciences Njala University College; Field Administrator, Medicines Sans National Coordinator; Women Against Violence and Exploitation in Society Frontiers-Belgium, Office Manager; Oxfam GB – SL. She has completed both Certificate and Advanced Diploma in the following disciplines: Farm Management and Administration – Berkshire College of Agriculture - UK, Electoral Management, Human Rights, Democracy and Governance, Leadership – INEACE, Sierra Leone.

She has participated in, and presented at, many conferences in Seoul, Ghana, Kenya, Belgiu, Johannesburg and Zambia, on a variety of topics including: FGM Practice in Sierra Leone & Ghana, Conflict, Managing Conflict, Post Conflict and transformation, Monitoring Post Conflict Situations, Building Confidence and Women’s role in Peacebuilding and Mediation, Post-Election Monitoring and Observation, AU and ECOWAS Mandate on Elections, Credibility of Election Results, Voter & Civic Education, Conflict and Peace building. She received the CIVIC AWARD 2006 for Female civil society/human rights activist of the year.
Najat Dau
Najat Dau
Najat Dau graduated from Tripoli University in June 1983 with a Bachelors of Education in History and Geography. Najat moved to Toronto Canada where she completed several English Teaching Courses and her CTMHL – Certificate of Teaching Methods of Heritage Languages. Najat moved back to Zawia, in 2004. Najat and her family strongly believed in the February 17th Revolution, with two of her sons fighting and her husband establishing make shift clinics throughout the Revolution. Since the Revolution Najat has worked with the Zawia Union of Civil Society and Zawian Union of Revolutionary Fighters as the Head of the Women’s Department. Najat is the Director of the Advisory Committee, which assists the VLW team on all projects and strategic decisions. She also works as the Local Officer with No Peace Without Justice, promoting transitional justice and ultimately reconciliation. Najat is fluent in Arabic and English.
Rashad Zaydan
Rashad Zaydan
Rashad Zaydan is a pharmacist, and since graduating from university in 1981, has witnessed three devastating wars I Iraq. After the occupation of Iraq in 2003 she turned all her attention to helping women and children who had been affected by this war.

In 2003 she founded & headed an Iraqi women’s NGO called Knowledge for Iraqi Woman Society (K4IWS). They focus on widows & orphanages through humanitarian social, educational, capacity building programs. She was selected by Joan B. Kroc. Institute for Peace & Justice/University of San Diego as Woman Peace Maker of 2011.
Yeşim Mutlu
Yeşim Mutlu
Yeşim Mutlu studied sociology in the Middle East Technical University (METU) and graduated in 2006. Yeşim then went on to receive an M.S. in sociology from METU in 2009 with her thesis on Kurdish internal displacement and social integration. She is now a PhD candidate in the same department. Her research interests include the Kurdish issue in Turkey, conflict-induced internal displacement, conflict transformation and the role of new middle class. Yeşim has taken part in research projects on: violence against women, women’s employment and empowerment, betterment of girls’ education, juvenile justice system and juvenile delinquency in Turkey, and physical and mental disability---as an independent researcher.
Alzinati Faten
Alzinati Faten
Alzinati Faten earned her teaching certificate and studied Arabic and History at Beit Berl College (1994-99), followed by courses in mediation (2003-04), computing, collaboration, management and community conflict (2008). She then pursued a graduate practicum in community mediation and attended workshops on peaceful relations between Arabs and Jews. She served as Dialogue Coordinator for the Multicultural Community Mediation Center in Ramle, taught at the bilingual school at Neve Shalom Wahat al-Salam, and worked at the community mediation center in Lod. There she worked with a community forum for improving Lod and served as a group leader in bridging Arab and Jewish sectors of the community. In 2009 she went to the U.S. to study consensus building and leading community dialogue processes, and one her return worked with an interfaith forum for Muslims, Christians and Jews and served as Arab Society Coordinator for the Municipality of Lod. She was one of four women who formed the Lod Citizen Council in October 2010, a unique and successful platform for dialogue and social change.
Amal Hadweh
Amal Hadweh
Dr. Hadweh was elected to the Beit Jala Municipal Council in 2012, and she leads the city’s strategic planning initiative to develop the economy, improve infrastructure, increase tourism, and empower women. After 26 years working in refugee camps, she recently retired from the UN Refugee and Works Agency in the West Bank, where she served as program manager from 2002 to 2010. In that capacity, Dr. Hadweh oversaw the budget and coordinated training and counseling within the three main departments: education, relief, and health. She has served UNRWA in other positions, including as manager of the Millennium Development Goals on women's empowerment and gender equality and acting field administration officer, where she oversaw the daily management of all UNRWA facilities in Jerusalem and West Bank and supervised 4,000 employees. Prior to that, Dr. Hadweh worked as an English teacher and school principal. She is a founding member of the Palestinian-Israeli Women’s Dialogue, a project of the Israeli-Palestinian Center for Research and Studies, and she conducts trainings on non-violent communication for the group. She is also the Palestinian coordinator for the Palestinian-Israeli International Dialogue group and a founding member of Women in Management in the United Nations. Dr. Hadweh holds a PhD major in business administration and specialization in human resource management from American World University district of Colombia, a master’s degree in education from Al-Quds University, and a bachelor’s degree in English from Bethlehem University. She is a part-time lecturer at Bethlehem University and Al-Quds University.