Class XXIII (2024-2026)

Sonia Cristina Vargas Perdomo is a Colombian peace fellow with over 10 years of experience in the human rights field, particularly in the defense of victims' rights within the context of Colombia's armed conflict. Her work is characterized by a differential approach, focusing on the perspectives of women and ethnic communities.

Her career spans various sectors in Colombia, including public institutions such as the Unit for Victims and the Truth Commission, international organizations like UNHCR, and the private sector with the NGO Centro de Investigación y Educación Popular (CINEP). She has a strong interest in collective rights of vulnerable populations, gender rights, and environmental issues in conflict-affected areas.

She holds a degree in Political Science and a minor in Sociology from Rosario University and a Master's in Human Rights and Democratization from the European Inter-University Centre for Human Rights and Democratization (EIUC). Her sponsor district is 2365.

Daisy Bispo Teles has dedicated nearly eight years to advancing peace and development, recently focusing on migrant and refugee support in Brazil. Before joining Uppsala University, she volunteered with organizations like the Brazilian Red Cross and worked as a Protection Assistant at the Assistance Program for Refugee and Asylum Seekers (PARES Caritas).

She began her career addressing security and environmental issues, starting as an intern at the Brazilian Peace Operations Joint Center, where she monitored the training of Brazilian contingents for UN peacekeeping missions. In 2017, Daisy joined the Heinrich Böll Foundation, coordinating over 60 environmental preservation projects in Brazil. Her work included research, advocacy, and close collaboration with Latin American organizations. Additionally, Daisy contributed to the Igarapé Institute, one of Brazil’s leading think tanks on security. Since 2022, she has focused on deepening her expertise in refugee protection, guided by her understanding of how security, protection, and environmental issues intersect.

Daisy holds a Bachelor’s in International Relations from Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro, where she also worked as a researcher and teaching assistant. She also holds a specialization certificate in Peace Research certification from the University of Oslo. Daisy is sponsored by Rotary District 4571.

Sadia Bibi is a peace practitioner who has been working in the development sector of Pakistan for the past eight years with a strong focus on mobilising and engaging young people at the grassroots level to promote peace and social cohesion within society. Hailing from Azad Kashmir, Sadia’s research interests focus on the intersection of psychological well-being, self-awareness, and the prevention of violent extremism among youth. With a deep-rooted belief in the power of youth as agents of change, Sadia continues to work with young people, while creating sustainable pathways to contribute to a more inclusive society.

Sadia holds a Master’s degree in International Relations from Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad, and has further enriched her expertise by studying Applied Conflict Transformation Studies in Cambodia. Her sponsor District is 9800.

Solomon Molla Ademe, from Ethiopia, has taught bachelor students at two Ethiopian higher education institutions, Mizan Tepi and Woldia Universities. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, he has conducted projects focusing on peace, conflict transformation, political protests, humanitarian assistance, human rights, and rule of law-related issues. Solomon has also provided capacity-building training and voluntary services to conflict-affected communities, particularly to vulnerable groups. His research findings have been published in internationally peer-reviewed journals, including Third World Quarterly, Politics and Religion Journal, Heliyon, Journal of Africana Religions, African Journal of Business Ethics, African Renaissance, and Journal of Somali Studies.

He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Civics and Ethics from Debre Birhan University and a Master’s degree in Political Science from Bahir Dar University, both in Ethiopia. Solomon is particularly interested in the intersections between politics and religion, as well as in peace and conflict, migration, and humanitarian issues. Following his Master’s studies at Uppsala University, he plans to continue his work in these areas in Ethiopia. Solomon is sponsored by District 7390.

Sylvanus Agordoh is an award-winning professional with expertise in designing and implementing multi-hazard data collection strategies, especially within conflict and early warning systems. He led WANEP Ghana's Early Warning program for over five years, specializing in data collection, analysis, and responsive action. Additionally, he briefly served as Program Manager for Preventing Violent Extremism in Ghana, and provided technical support for WANEP Ghana’s IT infrastructure, overseeing website management and communications. His fieldwork is focused in Northern Ghana, with collaborations across West Africa, including work with ECOWAS in Nigeria and the African Union in Ethiopia.

Sylvanus holds a Bachelor of Arts in Integrated Community Development and an MSc in Defense and International Politics, where his dissertation on West African terrorism earned second-best honors. He is skilled in cybersecurity, data analysis, and GIS. Additionally, he has training in Peace Support Operations and Human Rights from the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College and the Kofi Annan Peacekeeping Training Centre. A creative and dedicated learner, Sylvanus is passionate about aviation, music, IT, and photography and is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Accra-District 9104.

Teagan Hood is a passionate peacebuilder from Brisbane, Australia. Prior to her studies at Uppsala University, she has been working for twelve years in international development across Australia and the Asia-Pacific region, including in Indonesia, Vietnam, and Samoa. Her main area of expertise is analysing systems to identify ways to address root causes of inequity while working with communities and governments to prepare for future challenges.

Teagan is motivated by increasing access to quality services and reducing social and economic disadvantage. She has led large-scale and complex projects, working collaboratively with stakeholders on national systems change and locally-led community development initiatives. Teagan is interested in supporting decision-makers and communities improve preparedness for climate change hazards, including developing effective prevention and adaptation strategies.

Teagan holds a Bachelor of Arts in Peace and Conflict Studies and International Relations, and a Bachelor of Social Sciences in International Development, both from the University of Queensland in Australia. She is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Brisbane – District 9620.

Zaliha Lawal is a development specialist with extensive experience working in Nigeria and other African countries. She has a strong track record in developing and executing programs and projects on education, gender, conflict fragility, climate action, and the intersection of transparency and accountability, influencing public policies and behavioral change. In her previous role as Director of Programs and Sustainable Development Goals for FollowtheMoney across 11 countries, she was instrumental in designing and implementing impactful interventions, managing stakeholders, supervising results, and driving sustainable development initiatives.

She is a Peace Fellow of prestigious fellowships, including the Ban Ki-Moon Center and the Population Reference Bureau (PRB), and a member of the Open Government Partnership. She was also a committee member of the first Ban Ki-Moon Center and Ban Ki-Moon Foundation Accelerator Fund program. As a global citizen, she envisions a world where even the marginalised can access essential services and hold governments accountable.

Her interests include peace, education, gender, and climate action. She looks forward to using the knowledge gained in developing a peace curriculum for basic, and secondary schools and post-conflict rehabilitation programs.

Zaliha holds a BSc and MSc in Public Administration and is a certified Project Manager from the Project Management Institute. She is sponsored by District 7670.