Fleishman Fellows Profiles

2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002

October 2007

Adedayo AdeyemiAdedayo Adeyemi, Healthmatch International, Nigeria
Proposed Project: “ Public-Private Partnership: The Role of Civil Society in Scale-up of Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV in Nigeria”
Adeyemi has been the projects director at Healthmatch International since 2000. Healthmatch is a research- and outreach-oriented NGO that is concerned with HIV/AIDS prevention and sexual/reproductive health. Adeyemi’s responsibilities at Healthmatch are to coordinate projects in the areas of HIV/AIDS prevention and care; policy implementation and partnership; and reproductive health delivery. He is committed to improving maternal health and improving access to prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV in Nigeria. He received his Masters degree in public health from Harvard University and his BAin Medicine/Surgery from the University of Ilorin.

Aida AlymbaevaAida Alymbaeva, Social Research Center, American University of Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan
Proposed Project: “Best Practices in Social Enterprising in the USA: Ways for Replication by Non-Governmental Organizations in Kyrgyzstan”
Alymbaeva has been director of the Social Research Center (SRC) since 2005. The SRC’s mission is to promote the long-lasting development of the principles and practices of democracy, rule of law and social equality in Kyrgyzstan. As the director, Alymbaeva is responsible for strategic planning, overall operational management, corporate networking, communication and partnership building. In the SRC, she also leads the NGO track and coordinates research projects related to the development of NGOs in Kyrgyzstan. She holds an MS in public policy from the Rochester Institute of Technology, USA and a MA in education from Kyrgyz State Pedagogical University, Kyrgyzstan. Before joining the SRC, Alymbaeva worked with Winrock International, a US-based NGO, and UNDP in Kyrgyzstan.

Stana BuchowskaStana Buchowska, La Strada Foundation Against Trafficking in Women, Poland
Proposed Project: “Applying the best U.S. practices of NGOs who enable access to justice for victims of trafficking into Polish NGOs practice”
Buchowska is the co-founder and national coordinator of the La Strada Foundation. She leads press and lobbying campaigns on behalf of trafficked persons in Poland and represents their perspectives before such international organizations as the United Nations, the organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the European Union. One of her main advocacy and lobbying successes was the development of a National Action Program to Prevent and Combat Trafficking in Persons in Poland. This is a multidisciplinary, governmental/nongovernmental initiative with a long-term anti-trafficking strategy. Buchowska received her MA in philosophical sciences/cultural anthropology from Comenius University Bratislava.

Fatima HassanFatima Hassan, AIDS Law Project, South Africa
Proposed Project: “Changing Public Policy on AIDS in South Africa: Politics, Power, and Civil Society, 2004-2007”
Hassan is a senior attorney and legal and human rights activist with the AIDS Law Project (ALP). She participates heavily in the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC), which has been internationally credited with changing public policy regarding HIV/AIDS in South Africa. On behalf of TAC, Hassan has acted to improve access to affordable prevention and treatment services for people living with HIV/AIDS in South Africa and elsewhere. She holds an LLM from Duke University, and LLB and BA degrees from the University of the Witwatersrand.

Brian WhiteBrian White, American Center for Mongolian Studies, Mongolia
Proposed Project: “Strategies for coordinating Mongolian Library and archive information resources into a virtual library consortium”
White began working in Mongolia for the first time as a Peace Corps Volunteer in 2002. He is currently the resident director of the American Center for Mongolian Studies, a consortium of 33 academic and research institutions with a membership base of over 160 individuals, which promotes and facilitates academic research in Mongolia and Inner Asia. He is also the communication coordinator of Friends of Mongolia, a National  Peace Corps Association-affiliated organization that conducts programs to support small rural development and rural youth scholarships. White holds a BA degree from the University of Washington and a MPA from Cornell University.

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October 2006

Frehiwot AlebachewFrehiwot Alebachew, Saves Lives Ethiopia (SaLE), Ethiopia
Proposed Project:  “Behavior Change Communication and Young Adults: The Case of Ethiopia”
Ms. Frehiwot founded Save Lives Ethiopia, a local NGO whose mission is to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS and mitigate its social and economic impact, and currently serves as Executive Director.  Ms. Alebachew also serves as a co-investigator for a research project in conjunction with Duke University’s Health Inequalities Program entitled “Positive Outcomes for Chidlren Orphaned by HIV/AIDS.”  Prior to founding Save Lives Ethiopia, Ms. Alebachew served as Project Officer for a local relief and development organization where she focused on community capacity building and project design.  Ms. Albachew received her BS and MA in Agricultural Economics from Alemaya University.

Anthony EhrenreichAnthony Ehrenreich, Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), South Africa
Proposed Project:  “Non Agricultural Market Access: A Disaster in the Making”
Mr. Ehrenreich has been associated with COSATU since 1996, and is currently the COSATU Provincial Secretary for the Western Cape.  His responsibilities include policy development and collaboration with civil society.  Prior to joining COASTU, Mr. Ehrenreich was a sector coordinator and local organizer for the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA). Mr. Ehrenreich received a diploma from the University of Cape Town, and is currently working on a post graduate diploma from the same institution. He was selected as a 2002 Fellow in the Emerging Leaders Program of the United States – Southern Africa Center for Leadership and Public Values.

Claudia Maria Correa GonzálezClaudia Maria Correa González, Fondo para la Acción y la Ninez (FPAA), Colombia
Proposed Project: “Development of a Methodological Instrument to Assess Institutional Capacity to Provide Care to Children Who Face Diverse Forms of Exclusion”
Ms. Correa González currently serves as Technical Director for FPAA.  Her responsibilities include coordination of a team of professionals in the area of environmental conservation and childhood development and interacting on a daily basis with a diverse group of civil society organizations.  Ms. Correa González has extensive experience in community capacity building and has worked for the International Foundation for Agricultural Development, the Corporación Colombia Internacional, the Colombian National Department of Planning, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, among others.  She received her BA in Anthropology from the Universidad de los Anders, and her MA in Agricultural Economics from the Universidad Nacional de Colombia.

Liza LimLiza Lim, Institute of Social Order, Philippines
Proposed Project:  “Harnessing Civil Society – Government Partnership in Coastal Resources Management: The Case of the Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council of Outer Lamon Bay, Philippines”
Dr. Lim is the Executive Director of the Institute of Social Order at Ateneo de Manila University, which focuses on community organizing, training, and education.  Prior to joining the Institute, Dr. Lim worked in the area of project development, monitoring, and evaluation in two national line agencies and the central planning agency of the Philippines Government. Dr. Lim received a BA in Economics and an MA in Regional Planning from the University of the Philippines, and an MA and PhD in Sociology from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

Sarah Lindemann-KomarovaSarah Lindemann-Komarova, Siberian Civic Initiatives Support Center Foundation, Siberia
Proposed Project:  “Democracy in Siberia: Lesson Learned”
Ms. Lindemann-Komarova is a dual citizen of the United States and Russia, and has lived in Siberia for the past 14 years.  She is currently a permanent consultant to the Siberian Center, and was its first president and founder. Her responsibilities include strategic planning; design and implementation of innovative programs promoting citizen participation in governance, business, and civil society partnership; local resource mobilization; citizen centered advocacy; and, community development.  Ms. Lindemann-Komarova has also consulted for the Academy for Educational Development (AED), the International Research and Exchanges Board (IREX), and the Open Society Institute, among others.  She received a BA in Political Science from Columbia University.

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October 2005

Jeremy Druker, Transitions Online, Czech Republic
Proposed Project: “Funding Models Used by Public Broadcasters in the United States and their Adaptability to Internet-Based Public-Service Media”
Mr. Druker, an American citizen, is currently the Executive Director of Transitions Online (TOL), a Prague-based media development organization that aims to improve the state of journalism in Central and Eastern Europe, the Balkans, and the former Soviet Union. At TOL, Mr. Druker serves as Editor-in-Chief of the organization’s main publication, and online English-language magazine that covers twenty-eight countries of the post-communist region. Mr. Druker has lived in the Czech Republic for most of the past thirteen years, working for various media organizations. He received his BA in History and Literature from Harvard University and his MA in International Affairs from Columbia University.

Colin Legarde Hubo, Foundations for People Development, Inc., Philippines
Proposed Project: “Course Design on Effective Partnerships in Reducing Poverty for Civil Society Organizations in the Philippines”
Mr. Legarde Hubo is currently the Project Director for Community Development at Foundations for People Development (FPDI), a consortium of NGOs working together to deliver basic social services to poor and depressed rural communities throughout the Philippines. At FPDI, Mr. Legarde Hubo’s current responsibilities include developing a business-NGO partnership model with the Center for Social Responsibility at the University of Asia and the Pacific. In 2003-2004, he served as lead consultant for the World Bank’s Corporate Social Responsibility Practice in the Philippines. Mr. Legarde Hubo received both his BA in Political Science and History and MA in Sociology from the University of the Philippines. He received an MA in Education from the University of Asia and the Pacific.

Yewoinshet Masresha, Hope for Children, Ethiopia
Proposed Project: “One at a Time: Documenting the Challenges Faced by AIDS-Affected Children and Women in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia”
Ms. Masresha founded Ethiopia’s first NGO dedicated to children affected by AIDS in 2001 - Hope for Children (HFC). Ms. Masresha serves as Executive Director of Hope for Children, which now runs four group homes and cares for over 500 children. The Washington Post, Voice of America, and CNN have all featured HFC’s work as an example of what one grassroots organization can accomplish in the fight against AIDS. Ms. Masresha holds a BA in English from Addis Ababa University, and has received numerous diplomas and certificates related to community development. Prior to founding Hope for Children, Ms. Masresha worked for the Ethiopian Ministry of Agriculture. Her organization has hosted two Hart Fellows from the Sanford Institute of Public Policy.

Bakhytnur Otarbayeva, National Debate Center, Kazakhstan
Proposed Project: “ A Model for Youth Leadership in Civil Society in Kazakhstan ”
Dr. Otarbayeva has served as the Executive Director of the National Debate Center (NDC) since 1998. NDC uses a debate format to promote the ideals of civil society, teaching youth to respect the opinions of others as they seek solutions to social problems cooperatively and constructively. Under her leadership, NDC has expanded its reach from 300 students to 16,500, and has developed partnerships with state and local government agencies, as well as numerous NGOs. Dr. Otarbayeva received her BA in History from Kazakh State University, and her Ph.D. in History from Al Faraby State University. She served as National Coordinator for the Soros Foundation, has been a visiting scholar at the Woodrow Wilson Cente r , and a Fulbright scholar at Indiana University.

Aginatha Rutazaa, Kilimanjaro Women Information and Exchange Consultancy Organization, Tanzania
Proposed Project: “Reconciling Customary Law, Religious Law, and Statutory Law for Women’s Rights in Tanzania”
Ms. Rutazaa serves as Senior Programme Office for Human Rights and Legal Counseling at the Kilimanjaro Women Information and Exchange Consultancy Organization, locally known as KWEICO. KWEICO’s mission is to promote respect for legal and human rights to influence change in attitudes and practices that enable gender inequality. Prior to joining KWEICO, Ms. Rutazaa worked for the Ministry of Education and Culture for 13 years. Ms. Rutazaa received her BA in Education from the University of Dar es Salaam, and earned a Diploma in Human Rights from the Institute of Social Studies at The Hauge, Netherlands. KWEICO hosted its first Hart Fellow in 2004-2005.

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October 2004

Leslie Boney, MDC, Inc., United States
Proposed Project: “Using Job Creation Strategies to Strengthen Civil Society in the Rural Carolinas ” Mr. Boney is currently a Senior Associate at MDC, Inc., a non-profit research firm that works with communities throughout the American South with a mission of expanding opportunity, reducing poverty, and building inclusive communities. At MDC, Mr. Boney’s primary responsibility is the management of the Program for the Rural Carolinas, which seeks to help struggling rural communities address the challenges of economic and civic decline. Mr. Boney also has extensive experience in the public sector in North Carolina having worked for the NC Department of Commerce and in the Office of the Governor. Mr. Boney received his BA in English and Psychology from Amherst College (USA). “Leslie’s ability to organize the individual energies of people for collective action,” comments former NC Secretary of Commerce Rick Carlisle, “is a rare and important talent.”

Ihor Ilko, Carpathian Foundation, Ukraine
Proposed Project: “Philanthropy in the US : Main Tools and Institutional Frameworks and Possibilities for Replication in Ukraine ” Dr. Ilko is the Director of the Carpathian Foundation, which provides grants to local NGO and government projects focused on community economic development, social infrastructure, cross-border and inter-ethnic cooperation, and NGO institution building. Dr. Ilko is also a Senior Research Associate at the Institute of Public Administration and Regional Development at Uzhgorod National University , and has published numerous articles on regional history and development. Dr. Ilko received his PhD in History from Lviv National University ( Ukraine ) and his MA in History and Social Sciences from Uzhgorod National University ( Ukraine ). “From our first conversation,” comments Stephen Heintz, President of the Rockeller Brothers Fund, “I recognized Ihor as a leader in the generation that would secure a peaceful, democratic, and more prosperous future for the countries of the former Soviet bloc.”

Alex Jacobs, Management Accounting for Non-Governmental Organizations (MANGO), United Kingdom
Proposed Project: “ Performance Management in International NGOs ” Mr. Jacobs is the Director and Founder of MANGO, a UK-based charity that helps relief and development organizations strengthen their financial management capacity. In 2001, MANGO was short listed for the “Best New Charity” Award in the UK , and in 2002 Mr. Jacobs was runner-up for the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants’ (CIMA) “Best Young Leader” Award. Prior to founding MANGO, Mr. Jacobs worked for Oxfam International as Financial Systems Consultant and for Oxfam GB as Emergencies Project Manager and Emergencies Accountant. He received both his MA (Cantab) and BA in Social Anthropology from Cambridge University (UK). Lord Joffe, Chair of Oxfam GB writes, “I have not come across any young executive of greater ability and potential than Alex. He will undoubtedly, in the future, play an important leadership role in the charitable sector in the United Kingdom .”

Sibongile Mkhabela, Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund (NMCF), South Africa
Proposed Project: “Ten Years of Democracy in South Africa – Shifts in the NGO Sector: Rethinking the Resource Mobilization Agenda for Community Organizations” Ms. Mkhabela is the Chief Executive Officer of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund, which supports organizations implementing programs and projects that empower children and youth from impoverished backgrounds to improve the quality of their lives. Prior to her work with NMCF, Ms. Mkhabela served as Director of Programs and Projects for the United Nation’s Development Program in South Africa . She also serves a mentor at the SA-USA Centre for Public Values – a binational partnership between the Sanford Institute at Duke University and the Graduate School of Business at the University of Cape Town . She received her BA in Social Work, Psychology, and Industrial Sociology from the University of Zululand ( South Africa ). “Through her guidance and leadership, the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund has become a major force to look after children in Africa and focuses on disadvantaged youth, support to orphans and vulnerable children, education and development, leadership and excellence, and the well-being of children”, states NMCF Trustee Charles Priebatsch.

Rose Najjemba, National Women’s Council (NWC), Uganda
Proposed Project: “Enhancing NGO Accountability and Transparency: The Ugandan Perspective” Ms. Najjemba is the elected Chairperson of the National Women’s Council, a government statutory body that is mandated to mobilize all women of Uganda aged 18 and over for social, economic, and political development. She also serves in the Office of the President of Uganda as Special Deputy Presidential Assistant – Poverty Alleviation, Research and Information where her primary responsibilities include developing, monitoring, and evaluating poverty alleviation interventions. She received both her BA and MA in Public Administration and Management from Makerere University ( Uganda ). Makerere University faculty member Daniel Lumonya notes, “Ms. Najjemba has made phenomenal contributions to the development of rural women in Uganda …she has a remarkable ability to lead.”

Prakash Tyagi, Gramin Vikas Vigyan Samiti (GRAVIS), India
Proposed Project: “Making Health a Reality for the Thar Desert Communities of India through Vitalization of Civil Society” Dr. Tyagi is the Program Coordinator for Health and Development at GRAVIS, a voluntary organization founded on Gandhian principles that is focused on sustainable rural development in the Thar Desert region of Rajasthan. In his capacity as Program Coordinator, Dr. Tyagi founded a rural hospital, and has developed numerous health initiatives related to safe motherhood, sandstone mine workers’ safety, tuberculosis control, eye care, and geriatric health, among others. Dr. Tyagi received his MD from Second Tashkent State Medical Institute ( Uzbekistan), and his BS in Science from the University of Jodhpur ( India). Professor Michael Goldman of the University of Illinois describes Dr. Tyagi’s work as “heroic and extraordinary,” and commends his ability to “mix the visionary with the necessary.”

Sonal Zaveri, Center for Research and Development (CRD), India
Proposed Project: “Addressing Sexual and Reproductive Health Issues for Young People in India : Ethical and Guiding Principles for Policy” Ms. Zaveri is the Executive Director of CRD, a national, non-profit organization focused on communication and training in reproductive health, disability, HIV/AIDS, community health, aging, and leprosy, as well as strategic planning, monitoring, and evaluation of programs. Ms. Zaveri also serves as an International Advisor to the Child-to-Child Trust of University of London , whose mission is to protect and preserve the health of communities by enabling children’s participation. She received her PhD in Social Work from Pune University ( India ), her MA in Medical and Psychiatric Social Work from Tata Institute of Social Science ( India ), and her BA in Psychology from the University of Bombay ( India ). Dr. S.D. Gokhale, President of CRD, describes Ms. Zaveri as “a resource person for HIV/AIDS at the national and regional level,” and commends her skills in “research, evaluation, program development and management.”

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October 2003

Dafrosa Itemba, KIWAKKUKI, Tanzania
KIWAKKUKI is a Kiswahili acronym for Women Fighting Vigorously Against AIDS in the Kilimanjaro region of Tanzania. Founded in 1990, KIWAKKUKI is considered a leading NGO in East and Southern Africa. As Executive Coordinator, Ms. Itemba oversees five programmatic areas: home based care, orphan support, voluntary counseling and testing, HIV/AIDS education, and local fund raising. She also serves as Director and Volunteer Counselor on legal matters for the Kilimanjaro Women Information Exchange and as Vice Chairperson of the Kilimanjaro Intermediary Gender Network. Ms. Itemba holds a B.A. in Education from the University of Dar es Salaam. She is described by one colleague as a "skilled administrative leader with a balance of organization, knowledge, perseverance, and charm" who has provided "visionary leadership" to her organization. Her proposed project is "Scaling Up Civil Society Action by Reducing the Impact of Human Rights Abuse and Gender Imbalance in Tanzania."

Amalia Kostanyan, Center for Regional Development/Transparency International, Armenia
Dr. Kostanyan co-founded the Center for Regional Development in 2000, which partnered with Transparency International that same year. As Chairwoman, she subsequently initiated and implemented numerous regional projects, the most recent including "Monitoring of the Political Parties' Finances during the 2003 Parliamentary Elections", "National Integrity System Assessment Study", and "Country Corruption Assessment - Public Opinion Survey." Dr. Kostanyan received an M.A. in International Development Policy from Duke University's Terry Sanford Institute of Public Policy in 2000, and an M.A. in Political Science and International Relations from American University of Armenia in 1996. In 1984, she received her Ph.D. in Biochemistry from Yerevan State University in Armenia. A colleague commends Dr. Kostanyan for her "courage" and "strong leadership in bringing together civil society in Armenia." Her proposed project is "Strengthening the Role of Civil Society in Fighting Corruption in the South Caucasus Region."

Zoran Puljic, NGO Development Foundation, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Mr. Puljic founded the NGO Development Foundation in 2001 with the aim of supporting the development of an active and influential NGO sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Foundation is one of the first indigenous grant making institutions in the Western Balkans. As Executive Director, Mr. Puljic's responsibilities include program development and administration, fundraising, public relations, and oversight of grant making activities. He holds a B.A. in Economics (Marketing) from the University of Sarajevo. Daniel Curran, Director of the Humanitarian Leadership Program at Harvard University, notes that Mr. Puljic is "one of the foremost national leaders in developing a viable third sector in a nation with neither the tradition nor the experience in civil action." His proposed project is "NGOs Facing Secondary Transition - From Donor-Driven to Sustainable Indigenous Civil Society in Bosnia and Herzegovina."

M. Holt Ruffin, Civil Society International (CSI), USA
Mr. Ruffin has served as the Executive Director of Civil Society International since 1984. The emphasis of his work has been on the development of civil society in countries once part of the former Soviet Union through information and networking services. Mr. Ruffin was editor of the revised edition of The Post-Soviet Handbook: A Guide to Grassroots Organizations and Internet Resources (1999). At present, Mr. Ruffin is guiding CSI through the process of expanding its focus to countries where democracy and civil society are most repressed. He received an M.A. in International Relations and Economics from the Woodrow Wilson School of International Affairs at Princeton University in 1975, and a B.A. in Political Philosophy and Modern History from Stanford University in 1966. Colleagues comment that Mr. Ruffin is someone with "perseverance and ability to hold a vision" who "provides leadership that brings practical results." His proposed project is "The Globalization of Philanthropy."

Anthony So, The Rockefeller Foundation, USA
Since 1998, Dr. So has been the Associate Director of the Health Equity program at the Rockefeller Foundation. In this capacity, Dr. So is responsible for grant making on access to medicines and technologies in developing countries; intellectual property rights and health; and tobacco control in Southeast Asia. Dr. So received his M.D. (1987) and his B.A. (1983) from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, and an M.A. in Public Affairs from the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University in 1986. A colleague notes that Dr. So's work demonstrates his "keen understanding of and engagement with civil society" as well as a "passionate commitment to improving the lives and livelihoods of the poor and excluded." His proposed project is the development of the concept of a technology trust, initially focused on the example of technology to monitor HIV/AIDS.

Colleen Thouez, International Migration Policy Program (IMP), Switzerland
IMP is a United Nations multi-agency program designed to strengthen the capacity of developing country governments and civil society to address migration and refugee challenges. As Senior Program Officer, Dr. Thouez's responsibilities include government training and research on international migration, project development, capacity building activities, and advising countries and regional groupings on migration and asylum policy. She received her Ph.D. in International Law and International Relations from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy in 1999. She earned an M.A. in International Relations (1995) and a B.A. in Political Science and Economics (1993) from McGill University in Canada. A colleague notes that Dr. Thouez has "proven her abilities at leadership and management through the many challenges she is called upon to address." Her proposed project is to investigate the evolution of cooperation between international organizations and civil society on international migration issues.

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October 2002

Jibrin Ibrahim, International Human Rights Law Group, Nigeria
Dr. Ibrahim serves as Nigeria Programme Director, International Human Rights Law Group, in Abuja, Nigeria. His responsibilities include facilitating advocacy and networking among civil society organizations, organizing training sessions and coordinating international advocacy study tours for partner civil society organizations. He holds a master's degree and Ph.D. in Political Studies/African Studies from Institut d'Etudes Politiques in Bordeaux, France. He was cited for his "profound commitment to civil society work and his exceptional professional skills," and for being a "dedicated human rights activist with a remarkable ability to bring diverse groups and individuals together around a common agenda." His planned project is "Constitutional Reforms and the Struggle for Civil and Political Rights in Nigeria."

Lyubov Maksymovych, West Ukrainian Center Women's Perspectives, Ukraine
As founder and director of the Center, Ms. Maksymovych oversees a staff of 15 providing women's business support, skills training, crisis prevention and violence prevention programs. She also serves as the part-time director of the Incubator Center at State University Lviv Polytechnic, where she consults with small and mid-size businesses and organizes training programs. The center has served more than 20,000 clients since it was created in 1997. She holds an MBA from the Lviv Institute of Management and Wayne State University in Detroit. She is described by one staff member as, "a leader of the women's public movement, not only in Western Ukraine, but in the entire country." She plans to study modern professional women's organizations to develop and improve the West Ukrainian Center's ability to help local businesswomen "reach their goals for the good of themselves and society."

Robert Schall, Self-Help Ventures Fund, USA
Mr. Schall is president of Self-Help Ventures Fund, an affiliate of the Center for Community Self-Help in Durham, North Carolina, the nation's first private, statewide community development financial institution. Self-Help Ventures Fund is a $700 million nonprofit loan and investment fund, providing commercial and affordable mortgage financial services for community development. He is an advisor to the Center for Sustainable Enterprise at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's Kenan-Flagler School of Business, and holds a master's in regional planning from UNC-Chapel Hill. Martin Eakes, CEO of Self-Help, describes Mr. Schall as "a versatile and effective leader" who is dedicated "to the issues of equity and economic opportunity for disadvantaged people in our society." He plans to study the latest private-sector tools as they apply to the practice of community development lending.

Syed Tauqir Hussain Shah, National Rural Support Programme, Pakistan
The National Rural Support Program is the largest NGO in Pakistan. It works with poor communities to develop and foster a network of community organizations that serves as a vehicle for collective citizen action. It operates as an umbrella group, nurturing thousands of community-based organizations and networking them with donors, government, the private sector and philanthropic organizations. Dr. Shah holds an MBBS (medical degree) from the University of Peshawar. Pakistan's Minister of Women Development describes him as having "all the qualities of head and heart required for a leader in public service," and has "a deep understanding of public policy and the role of civil society. He plans to study international best practices in civil society development, bringing back to his country "a legal and fiscal framework for civil society."

Matthew Stilwell, European Office of the Center for International Environmental Law, Switzerland
Mr. Stillwell is managing attorney of the European Office of CIEL, a nonprofit, public-interest law firm to civil society, governments and intergovernmental organizations. He leads efforts to reform economic rules and institutions to support sustainable development and environmental justice, and has served as an advisor to numerous international organizations, including World Wildlife Fund, Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth. He holds an LLM (master of law) from Columbia University and has worked both as an academic, teaching at the University of Tasmania's Law School, and as a corporate lawyer in Sydney, Australia. He is cited as having "built new NGO coalitions, strengthened the voice of marginalized groups at the international level, and developed new mechanisms for citizens to participate in global policy-making." He will focus on learning how to strengthen international governance for sustainable development.

Larry Thompson, Refugees International, USA
Larry Thompson was born in Missouri and is a 1965 graduate of the University of Oklahoma. He served with the U.S. State Department from 1965 until 1991, working in Mexico, Thailand, Afghanistan, Peru, Guatemala, and ending his career as Consul General in Thessaloniki, Greece. He joined Refugees International in 1992 as Director for Advocacy and has led humanitarian assessment missions to Afghanistan, Colombia, Ethiopia, and many other countries. He is a frequent contributor to professional journals and newspapers such as The Washington Post and International Herald Tribune. His interests include international aid issues and prevention of humanitarian crises. Larry's Fellowship project will be an examination of the international response to humanitarian emergencies and the factors governing that response; and the development of a methodology of identifying the most neglected global humanitarian emergencies.

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