The Conference Committee is comprised of five members who will be responsible for planning and organising the next Conference. The term will last two years, or until after the next Conference planned by the Conference Committee. All UNA-UK members and supporters are entitled to vote for the individuals who have nominated themselves for positions on the Conference Committee. The profiles of the nominees are outlined below, listed in alphabetical order by their last name.
Nominee Information
All profiles were written by the individual nominees. The contents have not been fact-checked by UNA-UK, and any views expressed are those of the individual nominees and not necessarily shared by UNA-UK.
All candidates have confirmed that they understand the following:
- Participation in the Conference Committee is voluntary.
- It is a requirement to participate in regular committee meetings –scheduled in BST/GMT - via Zoom throughout the planning process.
- It is a requirement for the committee to attend the Annual Conference in person.
- UNA-UK does not cover travel expenses associated with attending the Conference.
- The Conference Committee is an independent body consisting of UNA-UK members and supporters and does not represent UNA-UK views, with the exception of the Chair, who sits as an ex-officio member of the Board of Trustees.
The candidates’ email addresses will not be made publicly available. This is to protect candidates’ privacy and ensure a fair election. If voters would like to contact a candidate, they can email info@una.org.uk with their query. The query will be forwarded to the candidate. Please note that candidates are under no obligation to respond, and UNA-UK will not respond on behalf of candidates.
Voting Information
Please note that all voters are required to provide their name, email address and postcode. You must only vote once. If you vote more than once, only your first voting form will be valid; any forms subsequent to this will be disregarded.
Votes will be counted for each position separately. Votes for each person will not be accumulated across the different positions. For example, if an individual has stood for Chair of the Conference Committee AND Committee Member, the votes submitted for each position will be treated and counted separately. Should you wish to, you can vote for the same individual for more than one position.
Votes will be counted for the Chair of the Conference Committee first, followed by the Deputy Chair of the Conference Committee and then Committee Members. In the event that an individual receives the highest number of votes for more than one position, they will be allocated the position that was counted first in the aforementioned order.
The deadline for voting in this election is 23:59 on Sunday, 28 May 2023. Any votes received after this date will not be valid and will not be counted.
In the event of a draw for the position of Chair of the Conference Committee, the UNA-UK Board of Trustees will select the next Chair from those with the highest number of votes.
For the positions of Deputy-Chair of the Conference Committee and/or Committee Members, the new Chair of the Conference Committee will select from those with the highest number of votes.
To cast your vote, please click below:
Nominee Profiles
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Alex Bell
Positions applied for: Deputy-Chair of Conference Committee; Committee Member
Alex Bell is Director of www.PortlandEducation.co.uk with over 3,500 hours of leadership coaching experience and six years of bespoke vision-to-strategy consultancy for schools in the UK and globally.
He was named global ambassador of the year for 2020 for the education innovation catalysts HundrED.org and is co-founder of the non-profit www.Xtalks.org named as one of the top 100 education innovations in the world in 2020 and 2021 by HundrED and Forbes. Alex is also co-founder of www.LinkOnlineLearners.org cited by UNESCO and the OECD and a finalist in the 2021 British Council global ELTon awards. He has convened a roundtable for UNESCO Futures of Education 2050 and is co-founder and curator of www.Our-Chance.com , the world’s first free online film festival about education futures, co-founder of global innovation www.Leadership-Lemonade.com, co-founder of the Eden Project’s Changemaker programme https://www.edenproject.com/learn/schools/eden-project-changemakers and organisation culture transformation agency https://www.powerofusagency.com. Alex runs leadership development programmes for schools on and offline globally throughout the year.
His latest professional project is a co-creator and facilitator of the Early Career Teacher programme in conjunction with the Eden Project, Cornwall.
Details of all his projects are at: https://linktr.ee/AlexBell
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Nabil Chiti
Positions applied for: Chair of Conference Committee; Deputy-Chair of Conference Committee; Committee Member
The famous Washington mail said that researcher Dr. Nabil CHITI is illustrated in these scientific researches in the field of hydrogen therapy in South Korea. Dr. Nabil CHITI member of AFMR and who holds more than 7 certificates from the prestigious HARVARD MEDICAL SCHOOL and 12 certificates from the Stanford University was able to reach in the city of Incheon in South Korea the level of hydrogen saturation of 1561ppb a level which gives this type of super hydrogenated water an Antioxidant power exceed the amount of antioxidants that exist naturally in 2200 bananas.
More then 2000 scientific studies on the clinical applications of molecular hydrogen on more than 170 human diseases.
Dr Nabil Chiti is proud to be part of UNA-UK for more then 15 years.
In the last December 2022 i was invited to be part of 17th Annual Meeting of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) in United Nations Conference Centre in Addis-Abeba.
In this event and in all united nations activities that I had acces i always take action to inform my contacts to the amazing work made by UNA-UK and the fantastic energy of all our members to give the best to UN.
I am so engaged to give my best to UNA-UK and I think that I am ready to apply to be one of the committee members and honor this position.
Thanks to support me and to give me this chance to give you my best.
Warm regards,
Dr Nabil CHITI
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Abdullah Faliq
Positions applied for: Committee Member
I am the Managing Director at The Cordoba Foundation and a Founder Member of the European Network on Religion and Belief (ENORB). An Hon. Research Fellow at the London Metropolitan University, I have an MA in Middle East Politics (Durham University), a PhD (University of London) in Arab Political Islam -- and have worked in university, government and policy, publishing and media settings for several decades. I have a considerable editorial portfolio, with 150 journal and report publications to date.
My work has involved input into a number of countries, organisations and outlets, including the governments of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Somaliland, Syria (opposition), Palestine, Bangladesh, Sudan, Turkey, Qatar, The Netherlands, UK FCO, Malaysia, Pakistan, Tunisia, Malaysia, Norway, Sudan (incl Darfur helping with the peace accord), Turkey, and the Uyghur Government in Exile.
Advancing peace & justice, I have worked with The Neon Process, UN Alliance of Civilisations, Mayor of London, Temple Garden Chambers, and Guernica 37 Chambers, amongst others.
I established the Bosnia Heritage Foundation, am a trustee at Education Aid for Palestinians, and All Faiths and None, respectively. I founded the Global Forum for Good Governance and the Executive Director at Centre for British-Turkish Understanding. I was a Research and Strategy Director at Global South (Istanbul); Research Consultant for TRT World Forum (2017); CEO of Justice for Rohingya Minority; chair of Enough Coalition Against Islamophobia.
I believe i can make a meaningful input to the UN-UK Committee.
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Edda Guiberti
Positions applied for: Deputy-Chair of Conference Committee
My name is Edda Giuberti, I was born on April 20, 1979, Italian and I live in Italy. I am President of the Tripla Difesa Onlus organization Guardie Security Sociale and Eco Zoofile in ECOSOC Consultative Status at the United Nations. With this candidacy, I would like to give my contribution to UNA UK which I follow a lot and respect. I founded Tripla Difesa Onlus in 2011, making it reach the highest levels in Italy, today the most accredited organization in our nation. We deal with the collection and dissemination of foodstuffs, national civil protection, the dissemination of human rights both in the squares and in schools and institutions. I would therefore like to make my contribution to UNA UK as well
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Sahahadat Hossain
Positions applied for: Committee Member
I am Sahahadat Hossain Shohagh, I live in London, Uk. I have studied international relations and diplomacy. I was a President of Bangladeshi students Union UK. I also worked with few human rights organisations. I had organised many conferences in House of Lords, House of Commons, Law Socity England, commonwealth headquarter, Amnesty international, chamber hall Oxford Union. I also a Television talk show presenter. I believe I am capable for this position. If I get opportunity to be a member of conference committee I will be capable this position.
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Bahri Ihsan
Positions applied for: Chair of Conference Committee; Deputy-Chair of Conference Committee; Committee Member
My name is Bahri Ihsan, from Pakistan. Currently residing in China. The UNA-UK is the best platform to give the opportunity to present and discuss global issues in order to enable governments, policy makers and think tanks to solve and address the issues of concerns effectively and efficiently. Furthermore, UK has a profound history of being the global leader in defending human rights and meditating the conflicts around the globe.
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Ravi Kumar
Positions applied for: Committee Member
An active UNA-UK member, I am chair of the Birmingham Branch UNA (since 2009), I have helped to position the branch as a key stakeholder with other community organisations, our universities, businesses, and local government. I was also chair for the Central Region UNA (2012 - 2015), during which I helped lead a review of the region which involved consultation with branches, youth branches, and others.
As a UNA-UK Conference Committee member, I will ensure that the interests and concerns of UNA members and supporters are voiced and heard. I see outreach, communication, advocacy, and engagement with grass roots members as key objectives for UNA-UK. I believe in, and strongly share the United Nations’ vision of ‘We the people’ and want to be engaged in promoting efforts to secure peace, justice, dignity, human rights, and equality for all around the world.”
Professionally, I work in Innovation in Economic Regeneration in the Midlands. Outside of work I am a mentor, life coach and active volunteer – working with charities, Human Rights organisations, community, and faith groups.
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Patrick Ciano Macharia
Positions applied for: Committee Member
My Names are Patrick Ciano Macharia. Am a Kenyan by birth, holder of two masters degrees one from Brunel university London and The George Washington University in America, Specialist in the Capital markets sector. Am an avid runner, enjoy learning and experiencing different cultures, a mentor to the handicapped children which I have been engaged for over 17 years and a tree farmer. I would characterize myself as an ambitious, passionate, and honest young man.
I have a vast experience in organizing conference meetings. In 2019 was in the critical team that was able to organize the first ever Afro-Asia Fintech Festival in Kenya that had an attendance of over 5000 delegates, in 2019 was in the critical team that organized for a smooth experience of the Kenyan team to participate in the biggest fintech festival in the world known as the Singapore fintech festival. In 2022 was in the critical team that organized Financial Stability conference for Senior delegates in Africa held in Mombasa. In 2022 was in the critical team that organized a workshop in South Africa for the IFC-Milken Fellows.
My passion and dedication to have a successful conference meeting and experience is paramount to me. I understand the challenges that come with organizing and holding conferences. This opportunity will assist to develop my skills further and pass the experience I have gained over time to fellow members.
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Arash Nassouri
Positions applied for: Chair of Conference Committee; Deputy-Chair of Conference Committee; Committee Member
Dr. Arash Nassouri, an accomplished business leader and dedicated professional, is eager to join the Conference Committee to create a dynamic platform for open dialogue, idea exchange, and professional collaboration. With expertise in event planning, management, marketing, and a diverse skill set in legal knowledge, business planning, operations management, and stakeholder engagement, Arash is well-equipped to contribute to the success of future events.
As a detail-oriented and resilient business manager, Arash has experience running start-ups and emerging companies, fostering strategic business relationships, and demonstrating excellent interpersonal abilities. He is passionate about fostering a thriving conference community and is committed to prioritizing inclusivity and innovation, working to make conferences accessible, engaging, and environmentally responsible.
Arash holds a Ph.D. in Law, a Master of Science in International Law, and Bachelor of Science degrees in Civil (Urban) Engineering and Law. His extensive work experience includes legal representation, senior advisory roles, and various directorial positions in both the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates. This diverse background positions Arash as a valuable asset to the Conference Committee.
Fluent in English and Farsi, with beginner skills in Arabic and Urdu, Arash enjoys travel, boxing, and movies in his spare time. His passion for fostering connections, facilitating learning, and contributing to the success of future events makes him an excellent candidate for the Conference Committee.
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Bonahis Oko
Positions applied for: Chair of Conference Committee
Dr. Bonahis Oko, is Head of Sustainability with Soben.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-bonahis-oko
Bonahis is a Chartered Environmentalist with the Society for the Environment and full member with Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA), she is an Associate with the Energy Institute and an associate fellow with Higher Education Academy.
She graduated from the University of Newcastle upon Tyne with a distinction and a Masters in Environmental Engineering and from Imperial College London with a Ph.D in Chemical Engineering where her research focused on sustainably remediating contaminated water.
She has spent well over a decade working as a sustainability expert offering independent advice to clients, stake holder and cooperations as well as helping Tier 1 contractors and large corporations develop, launch, and implement their sustainability and net zero strategies.
She is a peer-reviewed published author, a guest lecturer at several UK universities and a public speaker.
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HRH Peter Osei-Tutu
Positions applied for: Deputy-Chair of Conference Committee; Committee Member
My name is HRH Peter Osei-Tutu and I have been a member of the UNA-UK since 2006 and attended every event that took place and have been a contributor to its cause.
I have also been an ardent proponent of the UN and what it does around the globe and I believe being a member of the committee I would be able to bring my years of following the UNA-Uk and the UN to bare.
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Juan Pablo Raymond
Positions applied for: Committee Member
JP Raymond is a senior professional with deep knowledge of and practice in current affairs, as well as a published author/editor. A trilingual, International Relations expert with excellent leadership and management skills, focused on making rigorous and ground-breaking programs, and with a proven track record of generating and launching successful shows. An Executive Producer at Al Jazeera English in charge of high-profile interviews and discussion shows on international politics with a track record of organizing events, mentoring young professionals and training people.
Has headed various shows such as Head to Head; UpFront; Studio B Unscripted; The Big Picture; and Generation Change. Many of these shows have utilised UN documents in their research as well as precise knowledge of UN instruments. As an aside, we did this short explainer about the UN: https://youtu.be/ch5XnmBVBMw
Kind regards
Juan Pablo Raymond
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Hana Shono
Positions applied for: Deputy-Chair of Conference Committee; Committee Member
Hello everyone, I'm Hana and I am delighted to put myself forward once again for the Conference Committee.
Having been Vice-Chair of the committee for the past 2 years, I have been able to better understand and acknowledge what members and supporters wish to gain out of conference and indeed to better realise how the conference can be best suited to allow members to truly participate and contribute. I hope to continue to be a part of the committee to help support this continued growth and bring about new positive changes to conference – including an in person event!
Other commitments over the past 2 years have included my working towards a law conversion degree, being elected chair of UNA Scotland and working on a UNA Youth Coalition as part of the UNA Youth Programme. I was also privileged with being able to help with a zero-draft of the UN Youth Office while I was with the International Young Leaders Organization and am currently supporting a new upcoming project related to social entrepreneurship.
Most – if not all – of these roles involved event planning and organising which is central in planning the members' conference and have allowed me to grow my teamwork and communication skills further.
Thank you and I hope you will consider me for this position in Conference Committee.
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Viv Williams
Positions applied for: Chair of Conference Committee; Committee Member
I am a long-standing member of UNA and vitally aware of how important it is for there to be good communication between members, supporters and the team at UNA HQ and the Board.
I have been a member of the Conference Committee for this last period and realise the conference is, at present, the only medium that members and supporters have to bring matters of concern to the attention of the Secretariat.
I sat on the board of UNA for a number of years and my term finished some 3 ½ years ago.
I’m also chairman of UNA Southern Region, but since Covid and the change in availability of membership information, action in the region has largely reduced.
It is therefore vital that we find a way to use the Conference to reignite the participation of members and supporters in the work of UNA, which should be the leading light in the UK for driving forward the changes desperately needed in the world, to improve life and peace on our troubled planet.
To cast your vote, please click here or click on the button below: