Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
Writer/editor/journalist with track record in raising awareness of diverse issues and establishing media presence. Worked in both private and not-for-profit sectors as a newspaper reporter, feature writer, broadcaster, manager, spokesperson, speechwriter, op ed writer, script writer, event organizer and social media manager. Have built and managed multi-cultural teams and worked in Africa, Asia, the Americas and Europe. Have worked in challenging conditions in response to major disaster events including the Sri Lankan civil war, 1991 Bangladesh cyclone, Rwandan genocide (Congo), the Bam earthquake (Iran) and Typhoon Haiyan (the Philippines). Fundraiser and life-long volunteer for good causes.
I founded the Geneva Literary Aid Society as a voluntary vehicle for bringing cultural events to Geneva and raising funding for people living with HIV/AIDS, street kids, orphans and others in need. We have brought award-winning theatre to Geneva including several Edinburgh Fringe Festival winners e.g theatre companies Ourobouros, Gare St. Lazare, Fishamble and Benbo Productions performing work by Samuel Beckett, Will Eno, Conor McPherson, Brian Friel, Dario Fo and Donal O'Kelly. Leading writers have included the UK poet laureate, Carol Ann Duffy, renowned war correspondent, Robert Fisk, prize-winning novelists Colm Toibin and Julian Gough, the newspaper editors Tim Pat Coogan and Abdel Bari Atwan. Great musicians have included the star of the Commitments, Maria Doyle Kennedy, the voice of Clannad, Moya Brennan, the Voice Squad, Sharon Shannon and Luka Bloom.
Managed global media relations with particular emphasis on the air transport industry press and business media. Introduced several innovations including bringing media to annual air transport IT industry show case and initiating the Baggage Report (on airport lost luggage) as an annual event which turned into a major media story. Highlights: a page one story in the Sunday edition of the New York Times and coverage in the Economist's quarterly technology report.
The World Disasters Report has been published for the last twenty years and each year focuses on an issue of concern for humanitarian and development actors. In 2010, the focus was on urban risk. The lead chapter was written by Dr. David Satterthwaite of the world-renowned International Institute for the Environment and Development.