Mehmet Baha's Page

What motivated you (or your organization) to become involved in peace and conflict resolution?

I was born into conflict. I am from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC).

Please feel free to provide a short bio about yourself or the work of your organization (no more than 3 paragraphs)

Parterns in Humanity Intern. Search for Common Ground, Washington DC, August - December 2006.

Contributed to the writing of Author Guidelines for authors of Common Ground News Service (CGNS)
Researched about grant makers, that can sponsor CGNS projects, in the field of Interfaith projects
Initiated contacts with media outlets in Turkey to expand the work of CGNS
Reviewed and critically analyzed news articles to be published by CGNS

International Community Service Experience. February 2005 - August 2006. USA, Japan, the Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Cyprus and Guatemala:

Initiated, as one of the founders, a youth club about social issues in Cyprus
Took care of mentally and physically disabled people in Japan
Educated youth-at-risk in Colorado through value-based games and activities
Worked as a one-day volunteer in the biggest rally held in Washington DC to stop the genocide in Darfur, Sudan
Fundraised for low-income/poor people through direct public outreach in Germany
Served as an initiator and coordinator of an environmental project about sea turtles in North Cyprus
Volunteered in Guatemala at a women’s shelter to help the education of the children there

Initiator of a Community Impact Project, Eastern Mediterranean University, North Cyprus, Spring 2004.

Increased awareness about the enforcement of illegal indoor smoking through initiation and further expanding a signature campaign targeting students, faculty and staff of the University
Recruited and trained 8 volunteers to carry out the campaign
Developed the solution to accommodate interests of both smokers and non-smokers in close collaboration with the school administration

International Marketing Officer. www.golden-shoes.com, Cyprus, February 2001 - August 2002.

Marketed the export products of Topbas Footwear Company in Turkey to potential buyers on the internet
Researched tendencies and trends in B2B on the net
Prepared and sent customer-oriented sales letters

LANGUAGE SKILLS
Turkish, English, and Spanish: Fluent

Professional Musician, world percussionist, played in various concerts in the USA, Guatemala and North Cyprus, 2000-present.

Please list the countries and/or regions in which you (or your organization) have direct and significant expertise

Cyprus, Turkey, USA and Guatemala

What is your current country of residence (or location of your organization)?

Turkey

What is your current job (and organization) and/or where and what field are you studying?

I just graduated from the School of International Service, American University, Washington, DC in the field of International Peace and Conflict Resolution (MA).

What is one of your favorite websites in the field? (please provide one answer per box)

http://web sites of news sources, NGOs in the field and the UN.

Which are your primary sectoral areas of expertise (or the primary sectoral areas of your organization) ?

Peacebuilding, Conflict Resolution, Development, Youth, Civil Society

Which are your primary skills areas(or the primary skill areas of your organization)?

Program Administration, Advocacy

What are some of your current areas of research (if any)?

combining conflict resolution with music, nonviolence, mediation, negotiations, United Nations mediation, ethnic conflicts, cross-cultural communication, peace and culture, and the Cyprus conflict.