CAROLYNN LOOK, Country Profile Columist
Carolynn is currently a student of Chinese and Development Studies at the School of Oriental and African Studies in London. After spending several months in China, where she engaged in language learning provided by a US government scholarship, as well as volunteer work, she became increasingly aware of global development issues. Her particular interest lies in gender issues and environmentalism. In Berlin, where she grew up, Carolynn co-founded an environmental activist group and was the editor of an outspoken German-English student newspaper. She is currently involved in a microfinance project that is to take place in Ghana in June 2012, as well as pursuing her studies at SOAS. Carolynn can be reached at carolynnlook@yahoo.com.
MARY NAMUSOKE, Special Correspondent (Women’s issues in Africa)
Mary Namusoke is a development worker with over four years of experience in Uganda. She works to support community development in areas such as education, poverty eradication, women economic empowerment, HIV/AIDs and child protection. She is currently based in the central region of Uganda and covers feature stories on women issues in Africa. Mary can be reached at namusokmaria@yahoo.co.uk
ROXANNE IRANI, Special Correspondent (Global environmental issues)
Roxanne Irani is currently completing an MSc in Environment, Science and Society from University College London and is interested in conservation, disaster risk reduction, gender issues and social vulnerability, sustainable development and governance. She is working on sustainable development projects in India where she will be assessing and evaluating eco-management and disaster management in rural areas. With a multi-faceted interest in conservation, climate change, disaster risk reduction and sustainable development that has stemmed from a deeply rooted passion for the environment she considers the need for the day to be a deeper understanding of risk and its influences on policies as well as the various ways in which society and nature interact. Roxanne can be reached at roxanne.irani.09@ucl.ac.uk
SCOTT RUDDICK, Special Correspondent (Development Aid & Conflict States)
Scott is an international development specialist and university lecturer with 15 years of experience in over 30 countries, as well as an established freelance writer and photojournalist. Experienced in conflict and post-conflict aid, Scott works for a Canadian INGO and travels extensively. The focus of much of his work is on fragile, conflict and post conflict states. Most recently, he has worked in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Cambodia, Thailand, Malawi, Morocco, Tanzania, Iran and the Ukraine. Scott can be reached at scottaruddick@gmail.com
SANDEEP SRIVASTAVA, Special Correspondent (Climate change)
Sandeep Srivastava, a post graduate in business management, worked years in business organizations and shifted his focus onto the social sector. His growing up years in rural India & urban India enabled him to understand the social issues from both top-down to bottom-up levels. Currently he is working as a freelance development consultant & Chief Knowledge Officer in one of the leading NGOs in Uttar Pradesh, India. He is also the editor of “Echo Ses”.
The focus of his work has been on social & environmental issues like community based livelihood, disaster mitigation, climate change, reproductive and sexual health. For him, climate change is an emergency which need to address at priority with community involvement. He is also part of Climate Justice Fast group which is strongest form of moral protest against climate inaction. Currently, he is based in Lucknow, India. Sandeep can be reached at sandeep@sesindia.org
ALIZA AMLANI, Special Correspondent (Global Health)
Aliza studied Spanish and Philosophy at the University of Edinburgh, during which time she spent a year living and working in Argentina and developing a keen interest in Latin America. After doing a series of internships in NGO’s and volunteering in hospitals abroad, she completed a Master’s degree at the London School of Economics in ‘Health, Community and Development,’ studying the psycho-social determinants of health. Her interests include; developing world medicine, public health, community health initiatives, infectious disease and mental health. She is currently living in Bogotá, Colombia, working for an NGO in psychosocial rehabilitation of displaced people and ex child soldiers. ALiza can be reached at alizaamlani1@gmail.com
HRIDAY SARMA, Special Correspondent (South-to-South Development Cooperation)
Hriday Sarma holds a Master’s Degree in International Relations and has studied International Humanitarian Laws and International Laws. He has been involved with different developmental and peace works in the past. His research interests involve international politics and diplomacy as well as cooperation within the developing world. Hriday can be reached at hridaysarma@yahoo.co.in
DEANNA MORRIS, Special Correspondent (Livelihood & Global Economic Affairs)
Deanna Morris is a member of the Masters in Sustainable International Development program at Brandeis University’s Heller School for Social Policy and Management. Her academic studies have focused on areas of economics, microfinance and gender mainstreaming. In addition, she has international development experience in Central America, Africa and South-East Asia, working in the capacity of poverty reduction, microfinance, project design and implementation and capacity building. Deanna is currently based in Bangkok, Thailand and can be reached at dcm04@brandeis.edu
IRENE NYAMBURA MWANGI, Special Correspondent (Development & Democracy in Africa)
Irene is a Communication professional with an interest in Africa’s Development and Governance. She has experience in the NGO world, where she started out as a Knowledge intern with Arid Lands Information Network (East Africa) and later with World Youth Alliance as the Africa Director of Operations and Director, where she developed an interest in youth, travelling in African countries doing capacity building programs for young people. She holds a Bachelors Degree in Communication and Media from Maseno University, Kenya and Diploma in Management of Information Systems. She has also trained in Security Sector reforms and security sector Public Relations in Africa. Irene is based in Nairobi and can be reached at irenemwangi@gmail.com
APARNA PATANKAR, Special Correspondent (Global Education)
Aparna is an Executive Associate for Education at the Asia Society. She is a former Guatemala Fellow for the US based grassroots NGO, Pencils of Promise. She has also worked as a researcher and holds a Bachelor’s of Arts degree majoring in Anthropology and Politics. Aparna can be reached at aparnaspatankar@gmail.com
