Fien de Baere

Background

About Fien de Baere

My journey in peacebuilding has given me the opportunity to explore different cultures, while leaving a positive mark on the world. Serving as a program development specialist with Search for Common Ground over the last six years, has allowed me to exchange with colleagues across 16 countries in Asia and the Middle East to understand their perspectives on local conflicts and contribute to designing locally-rooted solutions. Through my job, I learn about creative approaches to bridge divides on a daily basis. It was actually my passion for media and theatre that brought me to the field of peacebuilding. Having joined Search as a young professional I was especially interested to work on youth, peace and security. My experience co-organising the European Regional Consultation on Youth, Peace and Security which fed into the Global Survey on the first YPS United Nations Security Council Resolution 2250, remains instrumental for me in designing youth-sensitive proposals. As I moved to support program development in Asia and the Middle-East, I was especially interested to apply this knowledge in the context of Central Asia, considering my academic background in geo-politics in the Mashreq. As fundraising and donor engagement expert, I hold in-depth knowledge with the EU and European bilaterals. Additionally, I have extensive expertise in peacebuilding programming in Central Asia and Southeast - Asia. Before joining Search, I worked for Radio Slovakia International in Bratislava as a radio journalist. I hold a Master degree in International Relations from Ghent University, during which I studied abroad in Istanbul during the Taksim protests which triggered my interest in conflict and non-violent alternatives.#peacebuildingprofessional #programdevelopment #CentralAsia #SouthEastAsia