Mona Awwad

Background

About Mona Awwad

Mona brings over 15 years of diverse experience in media and journalism, political and social research, policy analysis, and migration processes in both Canada and the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) region. She has worked with high discretion for diplomatic and government institutions, as well as NGOs and community-based organizations. She is fluent in English and Arabic, with a working knowledge of French. Mona is currently leading various projects and initiatives for media development organizations, such as Journalists for Human Rights (JHR) and the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ), while serving as an Interpretative Officer at the Ontario Legislature. She is also passionate about film as a medium for storytelling, and contributes to the Toronto Arab Film Festival as a member of its board, screening committee and media team. She holds a Master’s degree in Public Policy and International Affairs from York University’s Glendon School, which included a one-term exchange at Laval University in Quebec City. As part of her Master's program, she completed a major research paper (dissertation) on the ‘Failure of Diplomatic Mediations in the Syrian Conflict,’ conducting a comparative analysis that includes the United Nations mediation mission for Syria. Mona excels in reporting, communications, partnership building, and community engagement. She has completed multiple trainings on research ethics and journalism and, together with her team, received a Canada-wide award for public policy analysis on refugee resettlement in Canada. She is highly capable of working both independently and collaboratively and handles multitasking with professionalism.