Warda Sahtout

Warda Sahtout is a CCSI project manager working on developing practical strategies against gender violence and enhancing human rights protection as part of her larger interest in peacebuilding and conflict resolution, interests emanating from her personal experience. As the daughter of a Palestinian father and a Syrian Kurdish mother, she has first-hand experience of the long-term effects of war and displacement as well as six years’ work experience in the humanitarian field in Syria during the war.

Her expertise includes working in livelihood programs, psycho-social support for children as well as empowering women and youth entrepreneurs. She also interned with UNICEF in New York where she conducted research on UNICEF’s work on strengthening social cohesion in the Middle East and North Africa Region.

Because she believes in the importance of volunteering, giving back to the community, and social responsibility, she served as a volunteer in Syria with various NGOs\INGOs for more than 7 years and volunteered with the UN Alliance of Civilizations during the 8th UNAOC Global Forum as an event organizer.

In 2018, she successfully applied and received three scholarships to study for a Master’s Degree, from the Chevening Scholarship program (UK Commonwealth), from the Jusoor scholarship program - “100 Syrian Women, 10000 Syrian Lives”, and from New York’s Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA). She decided to accept the Columbia University and Jusoor scholarships and graduated in May 2020 from SIPA with a master's degree in International Affairs and Economic and Political Development, specialized in International Conflict Resolution. She is also the recipient of the Women International Leadership Award from International House (I-House).