We are delighted to announce that peacebuilding and gender specialist, Marwa Baabbad, has joined the YPC team as Director!
Marwa takes over as Director from Mareike Transfeld, who will continue to support the growth of YPC as Co-founder and Consultant. Marwa’s background as a researcher and clear commitment to peacebuilding make her the ideal person to lead YPC into the future. Marwa says, “I am thrilled to be joining YPC and working with a group of talented and committed researchers. Together we are looking forward to bringing a fresher and more diverse perspective on Yemen.”
Marwa brings with her extensive experience as Director of the Oxford Research Group’s Strategic Peacebuilding Programme, as well as her work with organizations including Saferworld. She is currently an Associate Fellow with the UK’s Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security.
She will build on the expertise and connections she developed working on youth political involvement, gender peace and security, and the localised perspectives on peace and security she was able to engage with and advocate for in her previous roles. “I am joining YPC at a pivotal time, with the formal truce having ended. We hope that the insights from peacebuilders across Yemen will make for a long-term sustainable peace.”
The YPC team are excited to be working to grow the organization from the sturdy foundations laid over the past two years. Mareike says, “Having started the Yemen Policy Center during the pandemic together with what has become a family of a team was an extremely enriching experience. Observing the Center grow, its capacity increase, its team members developing their skills, the projects becoming more impactful and creative fills me with utmost pride. I am excited to continue to support the Center’s growth and see what Marwa makes of the great potential our Center holds.” The YPC team share their thanks to Mareike for her tireless work to make YPC the incredible research institute it is today.