Farida Bena, PhD, Director of Diplomacy

As Director of Diplomacy, Farida Bena oversees all diplomatic activities. She has over 25 years of experience in humanitarian and development aid, human rights, and migration, with a special focus on delivering effective policy and advocacy strategies. Among her previous roles, Farida worked for the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and held senior positions at Oxfam International globally, and at the International Rescue Committee in Brussels and Geneva. She has also consulted with the European Commission, UNICEF, Save the Children, and several NGO coalitions in Europe, Sub-Saharan Africa, the Gulf States, and South Asia. Farida holds a PhD in International and Rural Development from the University of Reading, UK, a master’s degree in International Relations from Yale University in the US, and another master’s degree in English from the University of Milan, Italy.