Program director at the Social Science Research Council
Dr. Cyril Obi is a program director at the Social Science Research Council, New York, where he leads the African Peacebuilding Network and Developmental Dynamics program. After completing his doctoral studies in political science at the University of Lagos, Nigeria, he joined the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Lagos, Nigeria, and became an associate research professor in 2004. He is well published and currently serves on the editorial boards of many international peer-reviewed journals, and is a co-editor of the highly ranked African Security journal. He has co-edited many books.
Dr. Obi has also received numerous prestigious international academic awards and fellowships. He is a recipient of a 2020 International Studies Association (ISA) Distinguished Scholar Award (Peace Studies Section). In 2024, he was appointed an honorary fellow at the Center for African Studies, University of Edinburgh, Scotland; and Extraordinary Professor, Center for Gender and African Studies, Faculty of Humanities, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa.
Former United Nations Under-Secretary-General, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan
Amb. Tadamichi Yamamoto is the Former United Nations Under-Secretary-General, Special Representative of the Secretary-General, and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan.
His impressive and long-standing diplomatic career has been shaped by his continuous peacebuilding efforts, notably during his time in Afgahnistan where he worked on conflict prevention and resolution, promoting inclusion and social cohesion, and strengthening regional cooperation in support of peace and stability.
Amb. Yamamoto holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from the Tokyo Institute of Technology and a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Oxford.
President of the Aceh Women's League
Ms. Shadia Marhaban is the President of the Aceh Women's League as well as an international mediator, capacity builder, and activist from Indonesia. She was a fundamental figure in the Free Aceh Movement by actively participating in peace negotiations, rallying international support, and organizing peaceful protests.
Ms. Marhaban has been active in the empowerment of Acehnese women to act as agents of change by conducting trainings for former female combatants and other vulnerable community members. She is also active in national and international dialogues on issues of women and security.
Besides her impressive thematic knowledge, Ms. Marhaban also speaks seven languages: Malay, English, Bahasa Indonesia, Acehnese, Arabic, Italian, and Turkish.
Member of the Southeast Asian Women Peacebuilders Network, Lecturer at the University of Malaya
Dr. Aqsa Isa is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Malaya and a Critical Discourse Analyst. She is also a member of the Southeast Asian Women Peacebuilders Network which she supports with particular focus on her country of residence, Malaysia.
Dr. Isa's research interests lie within the areas of Critical Discourse Studies, Social Semiotics, Extremism, Terrorism, and (De)radicalisation. Her ambition is to understand extremist materials thtough a linguistic lense and use this understanding in her peacebuilding efforts.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Universiti Putra Malaysia, a Master's Degree from the University of Malaysia, and a PhD in Applied Linguistics from Lancaster University.
Senior fellow at the Middle East Institute (MEI)
Dr. Paul Salem is a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute (MEI). He previously served as MEI’s president and CEO and as vice president for international engagement. He is a renowned researcher who dedicates his career to conflict resolution, war studies, and peacebuilding with a notable focus on the Middle East.
Dr. Salem's research is primarily focused on political change, democracy and governance, social and economic policy, as well as regional and international relations in the Middle East. He is a frequent commentator on international media and a distinguished author of multiple books and reports. Prior to joining the Middle East Institute, he was the founding director of the Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut, Lebanon, and as founder of the Lebanese Center for Policy Studies, Lebanon's leading public policy think tank.
Dr. Salem holds both a Bachelor's and Master's degree as well as a PhD from Harvard University.
Executive Director at Charter for Compassion International
Ms. Marilyn Turkovich joined the Charter for Compassion in 2014 as Executive Director. With a career rooted in higher education, she previously directed teacher-training programs for the Associated Colleges of the Midwest and chaired the multicultural and global education graduate program at Columbia College Chicago.
Ms. Turkovich has extensive experience in curriculum development, organizational strategy, and instructional design, and has contributed to international media projects for NPR, BBC, and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Her work has long centered on culture, compassion, social justice, and transformative education.
Head of Research and Policy Studies at the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights
Erica Harper is a practitioner-academic specialiting in international criminal law, human rights law, ad post-conflict governance. She serves as the Head of Research and Policy Studies at the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights.
Dr. Harper has extensive experience working in various UN agencies and non-governmental organizations in Timor Leste, Indonesia, the Philippines, Jordan, Ethiopia, and Somalia. Her current research centers around non-state actors, transitional justice, digital technologies, and sustainable development.
She holds a Bachelor of Laws and of Commerce in Economics from Macquarie University as well as a Ph.D. in International Law from the University of Melbourne.
Clinical Professor at the Center for Global Affairs at the New York University
Dr. Thomas Hill is a clinical professor at the Center for Global Affairs, where he directs the Peace Research and Education Program. He is also a dedicated peacebuilding practicioner with over 20 years of experience working on increasing peacefulness in Iraq. By supporting several projects on-site and by developing and teaching a variety graduate-level courses, he has become an expert in the field.
Specifically, Dr. Hill's research interests include the importance of community-centered approaches and civil society-led peacebuilding as well as universities as actors for peacebuilding, and the use of conflict analysis tools for integrating development and peacebuilding.
Dr. Hill has earned a Ph.D. at the University of Pennsylvania, a Master of International Affairs from Columbia University, and a Bachelor of Arts in history from the University of Pennsylvania.
Chancellor of the University of Oxford, Former UK Foreign Secretary
The Rt Hon William Hague is the Chancellor of the University of Oxford and the former Foreign Secretary of the United Kingdom. His primary field of work is politics and public service; notably, he held multiple ministerial posts and was a Member of the British Parliament. Before entering politics, he worked in business and consulting. In recent years, he has also been active in business leadership, writing, charity work, and academia.
William Hague has shown a strong commitment to public service and human rights. He is passionate about global diplomacy and conflict resolution while also caring deeply about nature and the environment.
William Hague holds a First-Class Honours degree in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics from Oxford's Magdalen College and an MBA with Distinction from INSEAD in France. He has also received several honorary degrees and fellowships from leading UK universities in recognition of his political leadership and human rights work.
Co-Founder and Executive Director of Sote Pamoja in the Democratic Republic of Congo,
African Union Youth Ambassador for Peace representing Central Africa
Mr. Julien Vikemba is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Sote Pamoja RDC, a civil society organization based in the Democratic Republic of Congo that empowers young people to advance peace, justice, and good governance across the Great Lakes region. Through this organization, he has led impactful community-based initiatives supporting the rehabilitation, reconciliation, and reintegration of former combatants, transforming cycles of violence into opportunities for forgiveness and social cohesion.
A researcher and practitioner on conflict dynamics in Central Africa, he has contributed to various studies and policy processes focusing on youth engagement, conflict prevention, and child protection. He is particularly committed to ending the recruitment and use of children in armed groups, advocating for community resilience and sustainable peace. He serves on the Youth Advisory Council of the Dallaire Institute for Children, Peace and Security, contributing to global efforts to protect children affected by armed conflict.
Mr. Julien was named a McCain Global Leader with the McCain Institute for International Leadership (Arizona State University, USA). Since 2024, he has also served as the African Union Youth Ambassador for Peace representing Central Africa, within the Department of Political Affairs, Peace and Security of the African Union Commission. Julien holds a Master’s degree in International Criminal Law, a Bachelor’s degree in Public Law, and several advanced certifications in transformational leadership and peacebuilding.
Farmer,
Returnee from the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA)
Ms. Jaclyn is a 31-year-old farmer in Uganda. She was abducted by the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) when she was 4 years old and was forced to carry weapons. After escaping at the age of 7, she discovered that both of her parents had already passed away. She then lived with her grandmother, the only surviving family member.
A year later, when her grandmother was not nearby, she was abducted again by the same group. She escaped once more after 2 years, together with 24 others who had also been abducted. All 23 of her companions were killed during the escape, and she was the only one who survived.
Through her participation in GTY, she is determined to ensure that no one else will ever experience the kind of treatment she and those around her endured in the bush. She also hopes to amplify the voices of those who have long gone unheard, including victims of conflict, and is committed to working tirelessly to reduce the number of conflicts around the world.
Small-scale Entrepreneur,
Returnee from a group labelled as an Islamist extremist organisation in East Africa
Ms. Aisha is a small-scale entrepreneur currently engaged in selling women’s shoes in urban markets. Formerly a nursing student at a medical university in East Africa, her academic path was disrupted in 2020 when she was abducted while working as an Election Clerk. Armed individuals disguised in military uniforms kidnapped her and several others, transporting them across the border to a forested camp. After two weeks in captivity, the group was rescued by border security forces.
Following the incident, Ms. Aisha was unable to resume her studies and faced a prolonged period of uncertainty and displacement. In 2023, she began rebuilding her life by launching a micro-business, sourcing shoes from urban centers and selling them door-to-door and in public spaces.
With lived experience of abduction, displacement, and recovery, Ms. Aisha is a resilient individual navigating post-trauma challenges through self-reliance. She hopes to regain educational opportunities in the future and remains committed to finding a path toward personal growth and community engagement.
Community worker,
Former Member of National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA) and High Council for the Unity of Azawad (HCUA)
Ms. Fatouma is a former member of National Movement for the Liberation of Azawad (MNLA) and High Council for the Unity of Azawad (HCUA), non-state armed groups (NSAG) from northern Mali. During the 2012 conflict, she fled Mali with her family while she was a university student in Bamako and sought refuge in a Mauritanian refugee camp. There, she began supporting her community through various humanitarian efforts. She played a key role in mobilizing financial and logistical support for NSAG-related causes, particularly by developing fundraising mechanisms involving affluent northerners. She remained active in these initiatives until 2023.
Over the years, Ms. Fatouma worked under several international organizations and NGOs. She brings a wealth of experience and grassroots insight. As a woman with lived experience in conflict zones and a record of leadership, she has a strong desire to contribute to advocacy efforts on youth combatants toward peace and resilience in Mali.
Program Officer for Africa at the Global Network of Women Peacebuilders (GNWP)
Ms. Ruth Besong is a Program Officer for Africa at the Global Network of Women Peacebuilders (GNWP). She has worked with multicultural institutions under projects focused on Humanitarian Assistance, Peace and Security, Gender Equality, and International Development.
Her expertise includes Peace and Security, Gender Violence Prevention and Response in Africa, Conflict-sensitive project management, the Integration of Gender in Small Arms and Light Weapons Control in Cameroon, and Gender-based Violent Extremism. She is passionate about the social reintegration of female former combatants (YANSAG) and committed to supporting these youth who are once associated with non-state armed groups as they transition from conflict to peace, helping them become unique agents of peace.
Former Member of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) in Ethiopia
Mr. Yosef, currently 27 years old, is a former member of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). He was a merchant before the conflict started, but he decided to join the group after witnessing genocide in his hometown. He later left the group due to an injury.
Now, he is determined to become an agent of peace, using his own experiences to highlight the importance of not giving up finding a new way to peace.
Political, social, and literary worker,
Former Member of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) of Maoist Movement in Nepal
Ms. Samjhana joined the Maoist movement in Nepal at age 16, serving in the People's Liberation Army (PLA) during the 10-year-long People's War (1996-2006). Advancing through various positions from member to commander, she sustained serious injuries from bullet wounds and lost her life partner in the war.
After the peace agreement, she faced significant challenges in reintegrating into her community, while serving as a member of the Nepal's interim legislature. Drawing from these experiences, she has a desire to share her life experiences with fellow combatants like her. She has dedicated herself to supporting other former combatants, particularly injured combatants, martyrs' families, and female combatants who lost their life partners in the war. After rebuilding her life through a second marriage, she now focuses on political, social, and literary work. She published a book about her experiences titled "Janayuddhaka Samsmaran" (Memories of the People's War).
Director of Coiste Na nIarchimi,
Former Member of the Irish Republican Army (IRA)
Mr. Michael is a former member of the Irish Republican Army (IRA), which fought against the British government in Northern Ireland's independence conflict. He was later imprisoned as an IRA member and served time until the signing of the Good Friday Agreement. Currently, he serves as the Director of "Coiste na nIarchimí," an organization that provides support to former combatants (prisoners) and their families in Northern Ireland.
His current work is focused on advancing the peace process in Northern Ireland, facilitating participation in the electoral system, and fostering reconciliation across society.
President of Naš Glas,
Survivor of Conflict-Related Sexual Violence (CRSV) During the Bosnian War
Ms. Mirsada Tursunović survived conflict-related sexual violence at the age of 18 during the Bosnian War in the 1990s. After dealing with trauma for many years, she chose to challenge the silence surrounding wartime sexual violence by openly addressing these issues. Her efforts aim to confront past injustices and advocate for the social inclusion of victims and survivors.
Today, at 50 years old, she is the founder of "Naš Glas" (Our Voice) — a Bosnia-Herzegovina-based association dedicated to helping victims and survivors of sexual violence in war. Through her organization, she promotes democratic values such as humanity, non-violence, and tolerance. As a lifelong advocate for peace, Ms. Tursunović continues to share her message of hope and a better future for all, both locally and globally.
Father of two children,
Former Member of a Haitian gang
Mr. Edson Jean, now 26 years old, was a former member of a Haitian gang. In 2024, he joined a local gang following an attack on his community by a hostile group, which resulted in the destruction of his livelihood as a motorcycle cab driver. He has since left the gang and currently lives with his mother in an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp.
During his time with the gang, he served as a night watchman, defending the territory against attacks from rival groups. This period was marked by significant hardships, including the loss of his left arm in battle and the deaths of two close friends. He still has a bullet lodged in his abdomen. After his gang was defeated, he decided to leave.
Reflecting on his experiences, he expresses remorse for the victims of gang violence and wishes to encourage current gang members to lay down their arms. He believes poverty and unemployment are the root causes of Haiti's ongoing unrest. While uncertain about the potential for peace in Haiti, he joined GTY to explore avenues for positive change.
A closely related issue to that of youth is the rights of children involved in armed conflict. The formal legal term used internationally for such children is "Children Associated with Armed Forces and Armed Groups (CAAFAG [1])," although the term "child soldiers" is more commonly used. Similarly, when referring to youth involved in armed conflict, we have introduced a new concept called "Youth Associated with Non-State Armed Groups (YANSAG)," defined as "any person aged between 18-35 years, but not strictly limited to this age range, who is or who has been recruited or used by an NSAG in any capacity." [2] However, "youth soldiers" might be a common term for this demographic. Nevertheless, in this taskforce, we define youth involved with non-state armed groups as "youth combatants." This is because the term "soldiers" can sometimes imply members of national armed forces, and not all youth involved in armed conflicts take on a military role; some may be involved in different capacities, making "youth soldiers" an imprecise term.
Furthermore, the term "combatants" in international humanitarian law is defined as "all members of the armed forces of a party to a conflict, excluding medical and religious personnel" in international armed conflicts. They are granted the rights to (1) directly participate in hostilities and (2) be treated as prisoners of war if captured. In the context of non-international armed conflicts, however, the combatants do not enjoy the same status, and they are referred to as "civilians taking part in hostilities" under humanitarian law.
Given the widespread use of "combatants" in non-international armed conflict contexts without an international nature, and the unclear status of whether members of organized armed groups in non-international conflicts are "civilians" or directly participating in hostilities, we have chosen to refer to youth involved with non-state armed groups as "youth combatants." However, this term does not imply that they hold the status of combatants under international humanitarian law. Our focus remains on their needs and unique potential.
[1] UNICEF, Principles and Guidelines on Children Associated with Armed Forces or Armed Groups, 2007.
[2] Yosuke Nagai and Erica Harper, "Youth Associated with Non-State Armed Groups: Building an Evidence Base on Disengagement Pathways and Reintegration Challenges," Research Brief, the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights, 2023.
Deradicalization practitioner,
Former Member of Negara Islam Indonesia (NII), Jemaah Islamiyah (JI), and Jemaah Anshorut Tauhid (JAT) in Indonesia
Mr. Atok, 42 years old, officially pledged allegiance to Negara Islam Indonesia (NII) while in junior high school. In 2008, seeking involvement with more radical Islamic groups, he left NII and joined Jemaah Islamiyah (JI) and Jemaah Anshorut Tauhid (JAT), though he did not take the pledge with these groups.
Exposed to radical teachings from a young age, he eventually served 10 years and 8 months in prison for terrorism offenses. In 2015, after attempting to help a sick friend, he was ostracized by his fellow extremists and labeled an infidel. This incident prompted a profound reevaluation of his beliefs and led to a change of heart.
Today, as a deradicalization practitioner, he collaborates with Densus 88, the Indonesian National Police counter-terrorism unit, and the DeBintal Foundation. He supports empowerment and deradicalization programs for former terrorist prisoners across Indonesian prisons. Additionally, he routinely delivers sermons at the Klaten Prison Mosque, where he conducts deradicalization activities for terrorist prisoners and counter-radicalization for general prisoners.
University Student majoring in Islamic Studies,
Former Combatant of a non-state armed group in the Philippines
Ms. Nahara is a returnee from a non-state armed group in the Philippines. She was recruited into the group through preaching in Marawi, a city in the Mindanao region, when she was a 19-year-old university student, and later married one of the group's sub-leaders. During her time with the group, she experienced numerous clashes with the Armed Forces of the Philippines in the mountains of the Province of Lanao del Sur and the Province of Lanao del Norte. In 2023, she became a widow when her husband was killed during a military operation in Marawi City, which also neutralized the leader of the non-state armed group.
Following these events, Ms. Nahara joined the pilot batch of the Aftercare Peace Track, a peace education and psychosocial care program offered by the Teach Peace Build Peace Movement, an independent, non-partisan, and non-profit organization based in the Philippines that aims to make every Filipino child and youth a peace hero. She also participated in a reintegration and deradicalization program for former extremists in Marawi City, which brought new hope and a more peaceful future for her and her child.
Currently, while participating in these programs, Nahara is studying at the main campus of Mindanao State University in Marawi City. She is pursuing a bachelor's degree in Islamic Studies with a focus on Islamic Jurisprudence. Her goal is to become a successful lawyer and an advocate for peace, contributing to the creation of a more harmonious society. She believes it is her duty to strive for a future where peace and positivity prevail.
High School Student,
Former Member of Houthi (Ansar Allah) in Yemen
Mr. Ahmed was forcibly subjected to cultural and training programs by Houthi (Ansar Allah) when he was 12 years old, during the conflict in Yemen. These programs included extreme interpretations of Islamic and moral teachings that demanded obedience and sacrifice, alongside training in weapons handling, disassembly, and physical conditioning. Amid these challenges, he and his family managed to escape just before being sent to the front lines, finding refuge in areas controlled by the Internationally Recognized Government (IRG).
Following their escape, his situation improved significantly with the aid of humanitarian organizations, especially Accept International, which provided support in the form of food, medicine, and vocational training. He particularly benefited from programs that included education on solar system installation and computer skills, which have greatly helped him on his path to self-reliance.
Currently a high school student, he is utilizing the skills and knowledge he has acquired to forge a better future. He is dedicated to continuing his education and applying his experiences to help build a more peaceful society.
NGO worker,
Former member of Al-Shabaab in Somalia
Mr. Nor, a former member of Al-Shabaab in Somalia, joined the organization at the age of 17, seeking revenge after a family member was killed during Somalia’s violent conflict. After spending about two years as a combatant, he was arrested and sentenced to 15 years in prison. While incarcerated, he participated in rehabilitation programs run by Accept International, which helped him reflect on his past and develop a positive outlook. He began supporting fellow inmates through these programs and was released in 2023.
He is currently working as a staff member of an international NGO, involved in supporting the reintegration of youth associated with terrorism and conflict.
Self-Employed,
Former Combatant of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in Sri Lanka
Ms. Wadani, a former combatant of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), voluntarily joined the LTTE at the age of 13 and experienced the Sri Lankan Civil War (1983-2009). During the civil war, she sustained injuries to her face and arm from an RPG. After the war ended, she started her own business. Today, she has expanded into running restaurants and clothes stores, becoming a leader who employs several women with similar backgrounds.
Having personally suffered intense discrimination from her community for being a former LTTE member after the conflict, she has developed a keen interest in the protection and education of women in conflict areas.
Human Rights Lawyer and Project Manager at Aid Gate Organization in Iraq
Ms. Wasar Azzawi is a 31-year-old human rights lawyer and Project Manager at Aid Gate Organization, an Iraq-based NGO focused on providing assistance and support to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), returnees, and vulnerable host communities affected by the conflict with the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). In her role, she leverages her extensive expertise in the Juvenile Justice sector in Iraq.
She also serves as an arbitrator for international disputes and is listed on the organization’s roster of arbitrators. With her background as a skilled trainer, she specializes in areas such as children associated with armed forces and armed groups (CAAFAG), restorative justice, child rights, child development, juvenile justice case management, peace education, and the reintegration of children after detention.
Her professional journey includes significant roles such as two years as a social worker and team leader in gender-based violence (GBV) projects, five years as a social worker, peace education facilitator, and project officer for a juvenile justice project. Additionally, she managed the Women Voice First Project for a year, demonstrating her ability to lead and implement impactful initiatives.
Deputy project coordinator of EducAid,
Former Combatant of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) in Sierra Leone
Mr. Wahid was forcibly recruited as a child soldier by the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) during the Sierra Leone Civil War (1991-2002). He now serves as the Deputy Project Coordinator at EducAid Sierra Leone, an organization dedicated to improving and strengthening the response capacities of various educational systems, specifically tailored to meet the needs of all children, with a particular focus on the most vulnerable. He is 30 years old and holds a bachelor's degree in Business Administration and Management.
The conflict claimed his father’s life and subjected him to severe trauma, including forced training in weaponry and the administration of harmful substances. Despite these experiences, he managed to escape and reunite with his family. Although the initial reunion brought relief, reintegrating into his community posed significant challenges.
This personal struggle ignited his passion for supporting former combatants and disadvantaged youth. He is deeply committed to the social reintegration and educational empowerment of former child soldiers and youth combatants, especially those living on the streets.
Nursing and Pharmacy Assistant,
Former Combatant of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC-EP)
Ms. Angélica, currently 29 years old, joined the FARC-EP at the age of 13 and dedicated herself to nursing and combat roles. She reflects on her experiences, recalling how they fought against the ruling class amidst fear and frustration, aiming to bring peace to the people of Colombia while their lives were constantly endangered. Despite the signing of many peace agreements, she recognizes the current reality where few guarantees for a secure life exist. Nevertheless, she has successfully transitioned to become a nursing assistant, pharmacy assistant, and escort, and she has a career plan to study psychology.
Today, she hopes to continue building a better country and peace by collaborating with people from various regions in new and different ways.
Executive Director, Accept International
Dr. Yosuke Nagai is the Founder and Executive Director of Accept International. Since 2011, he has dedicated himself to implementing defection support, rehabilitation and reintegration programs for disengaged combatants from non-state armed groups, with a primary focus on Somalia, Yemen, Kenya, Indonesia, Colombia, and Palestine. Additionally, he has also provided emergency humanitarian assistance programs to support victims in these regions, involving graduates of rehabilitation programs.
His passion lies in empowering marginalized youth, such as disengaged youth combatants, by providing them with opportunities to break free from cycles of violence and become agents of peace. In 2024, he launched the Global Taskforce for Youth Combatants, which comprises peacebuilders with past experiences in non-state armed groups.
Dr. Nagai holds a PhD in Social Science from Waseda University and a Master's degree in Conflict Studies from the London School of Economics and Political Science. He has served as a visiting fellow at the University of Oxford and the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights.
