Refreshments will be served
Limited space: By invitation only
The European experts on social cohesion from Amsterdam, Birmingham and Cambodia speak about the successes and challenges in their work towards integrated societies. Their work challenges traditional approaches in municipal governance and in conflict resolution and focuses on reconciling people's identities and on the role of history, memory, and religion in peacebuilding and integration.
The symposium will feature:
Fatima Elatik
Vice Mayor & Alderwoman, Amsterdam
Miss Elatik is alderman in the Amsterdam borough of Zeeburg, where she is responsible for education, youth, sports and neighborhood initiatives to address community conflict. She has a degree in biology and formerly worked at the Amsterdam Ministry of Justice as a policy advisor on youth crime. She entered local politics at an early age and has gained notoriety though her expertise on youth, diversity, the emancipation of women and education.
Mark Boekwijt
Senior Advisor to the Mayor, Amsterdam
Mr. Boekwijt is currently working to foster social cohesion among diverse populations within Amsterdam. He is a former Media Advisor to the City of Amsterdam and the City of The Hague. He received two masters degrees from the University of Amsterdam, in Communication Sciences and International Law. Mr. Boekwijt is also a certified mediator.
John Curtiss
Director for Preventing Violent Extremism and Gun Crime, West Midlands, UK
Mr. Curtiss work in several capacities for the Government Office for the West Midlands. He leads crime reduction initiatives, which cover National programs for crime reduction, community tension and community cohesion. He is also the national lead on preventing extremism and gang violence.
Yousiff Meah
City Council, Birmingham, UK
Mr. Meah is head of Birmingham's youth service – responsible for 485 staff and a £6 million budget – and is the Vice Chair of the Birmingham Reducing Gang Violence Partnership. He has created and distributed briefings on preventing extremism and gang violence through prevention and with special attention to Muslims, women and, specifically, youth.
Kim Vuth
Co-Director of ICfC Office, Phnom Penh
Kim Vuth joined ICfC in March 2007 as a Fellow and facilitator in our permanent office in Cambodia. There, he coordinates the History and Social Justice Outreach project. He holds two degrees – in Human Resource Management and English Literature – and is a graduate of a 9-month leadership training program called Action for Life, organized by Initiatives of Change International. Vuth is an expert in Cambodia-Vietnam dialogue. |
