International Steering Group (ISG)

The International Steering Group (ISG) is comprised of six individuals selected from member organisations, two representatives of the International Secretariat (IS), and one member of the Board. The ISG has principally a strategic advisory role. It deliberates on matters of policy and acts as a selection panel for new members.

UNOY Peacebuilders underwent an important restructuring process in 2005-2006. The ISG is a result of a wish for a greater involvement of members in UNOY. The first three ISG member representatives were chosen from several promising candidates in the summer of 2007; other three joined the group in September 2008. As a whole, the International Steering Group represents the main strategic geographical areas of action of the UNOY Peacebuilders: Africa, Europe, Asia and Middle East, and South America.

Current ISG representatives from member organisations

Ana Estefania Carballo was born in Cordoba, Argentina. She is 25 years old, and holds a BA in Political Sciences and International Relations from the Catholic University of Cordoba.

She has been working as a volunteer in the Argentine Youth Organisation for the United Nations (OAJNU) since 2002, where she has conducted various activities, coordinated the Infant Citizenship program, the Institutional Relations Area and was elected as the Executive Director of one of the main offices, as well as a Member of the National Board. She has also participated in several forums concerning Youth, Citizenship and Participation.

She is a member of the International Relations Team of OAJNU and is pursuing a Master’s Programme in International and Development Economics at the University of Applied Sciences, Berlin.

Hovhannes Jonas Grigoryan holds a MA in Sociology from Yerevan State University, where he is currently working towards his PhD on ethnic communication while teaching at the Faculty of Sociology. Hovhannes is a Co-Founder and Co-President of YERITAC – an Armenian youth organisation actively involved in local and international youth projects in the spheres of democracy, youth participation, peacebuilding, health protection, r esearch and analysis, international communication and capacity building. So far, in the framework of YERITAC, Hovhannes has participated in around 20 trainings, seminars, and other youth events on numerous topics including peacebuilding and advocacy all around Europe. Since 2007 YERITAC is also an active member of UNOY Peacebuilders, its members have participated in a number of events, organized by UNOY, in addition YERITAC hosted a partnership project feasibility visit in Yerevan, Armenia in November 2008. Apart from teaching and leading an NGO, Hovhannes is also deeply involved in the social surveys and researches and leads a group of young research managers, working under the trademark of IPSC.

Majd Hisham Beltaji, 22, is from Palestine. She holds a BA in Political Science and International Relations and is currently working as a Youth Exchanger and International Relations Coordinator at the International Palestinian Youth League in Hebron.

Majd has been actively involved in IPYL for the last 5 years. She participated in a number of seminars, workshops, training courses and conferences in different European countries; and has developed profitable working collaboration with the IPYL partners CCIVS, YAP, Euro-Med Youth Platform, EIUC, YEU, League of Arab States Youth Forum and UNOY Peacebuilders.

Recently, Majd ran an International work camp in Palestine named 'Stop Occupying Christmas' where she had the chance to witness some enthusiastic participations of 35 internationals from all over Europe. In November 2008, she took part as a member of the organising committee in the League for Arab States Youth Forum and the Euro-Arab Cooperation Meeting taking place in Jordan.

Nikki Al Ben Santos Delfinwas born in Tuguegarao City, Philippines. He has a BA in Social Sciences major in Political Science and Sociology from the University of the Philippines. He is currently working for the Gaston Zaballa Ortigas Peace Institute that founded the Generation Peace Youth Network (GenPeace). GenPeace is a broad network of peace and human rights organisations engaged in a youth-led advocacy towards a just and lasting peace. Its main goal is to promote youth participation in peacebuilding.

He is also involved in disarmament initiatives and is a steering committee member of the Philippine Action Network on Small Arms that work towards an international treaty on arms transfers. He coordinates the Philippine Campaign against Cluster Munitions, a member of Cluster Munitions Coalition. Apart from taking part in disarmament initiatives, Nikki also handles peace and human rights education workshops for youth leaders in the Philippines.

Roynet Banda comes from Zambia and is currently living in Johannesburg, South Africa. Roynet works as Project Implementing Officer for the Coalition for Peace in Africa (COPA) in the Southern Africa region, a network of individuals and organisations working for sustainable peace in Africa. She is specialised in Youth and Peacebuilding projects.

Roynet has been involved in a number of capacity-building programmes aimed at introducing peace education in schools. She took part in the development and implementation of a programme on HIV/AIDS, reproductive health and conflict among young people. This programme covered issues of stigma, behavioural change and conflict generated by HIV/AIDS in communities and families.

Roynet has a degree in Social Work and Management, and a Diploma in Pharmacy.

Mohamed Sillah Sesay has contributed immensely towards promoting the participation of Sierra Leone and African Young People in decision making process, currently serving in the capacity as the National Coordinator of the Young Leaders of Sierra Leone Network, an alliance of Sierra Leonean Young Professionals at home and in the Diaspora all towards grooming ourselves for the future leadership of our country www.youngleaders.saloneyouth.net and Consulting on youth issues for The Ministry of Education Youth and Sports and UNFPA in Sierra Leone.

Over the past years he has participated and contributed to several workshops and conferences internationally. He has also received several awards such as the International Extra Mile Award that was presented to me by the Youth Crime Watch of America in Miami Florida and the 2006 National Children of Excellence Award that was presented to him by the Minister of Social Welfare Gender and Children’s affaires for his invaluable and excellence service towards promoting the activities of the Children of Sierra Leone. Mohamed studied Peace and Community Development Studies.