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Mauricio Lapchik is the Director of External Relations and Development of Peace Now. Born in Montevideo, Uruguay, in 1991, Mauricio moved to Israel in 2013 to pursue his studies in Political Science and Comparative Religion at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He graduated with a Master's degree in 2021 and shortly after joined the Peace Now staff. As a passionate and dedicated advocate for human rights and social justice, Mauricio has been actively involved in the struggle against the occupation after moving to Israel a decade ago. During the last few years, he has focused his professional efforts on promoting and achieving a just peace through his work at Peace Now. In his role as Director of External Relations and Development, Mauricio is responsible for building and maintaining relationships with key stakeholders, including diplomatic officials, media, NGOs, and other organizations working in this sphere.
Eng. Bashar Al Shawwa is a distinguished researcher and expert in regional and international political affairs, specializing in conflict resolution, sustainable development, and advocacy. With extensive experience in analyzing Palestinian and Israeli internal affairs, Bashar is a proficient analyst and advocate for joint efforts in regional peace-making. His work focuses on advancing sustainable development initiatives in water, environment, and climate change sectors.
Eng. Al Shawwa has been instrumental in building conflict resolution strategies related to water, energy, and food security, particularly in the MENA region.
Bashar holds a Master’s Degree in Conflict Resolution and Development from the Arab American University in Palestine and a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering in Medical and Biological Practices from Vladimir State University in the Russian Federation. His educational background is complemented by numerous certifications in management and development, which have enriched his ability to lead and innovate in complex, multidisciplinary environments.
Currently, Eng. Al Shawwa serves as the Water Diplomacy Specialist for External Relations and Advocacy at Swim Drink Fish in Canada, where he is responsible for promoting the "Water for Peace" initiative. This initiative aims to enhance water cooperation and peace-building efforts within the Great Lakes watershed and extend its impact globally. His role involves building a strategic plan and initiating its implementation to foster international collaboration and sustainable water management.
Throughout his career, Bashar has held several key positions that showcase his leadership and expertise in international relations and public policy. Notably, he served as the Advocacy Manager for External & Governmental Affairs at Nobel Prize nominee EcoPeace Middle East Organization, where he conducted strategic research, developed outreach strategies, and represented the organization at national and international forums. His work has been pivotal in fostering dialogue and cooperation between various stakeholders, including government officials, NGOs, and international institutions.
As a strategic and results-oriented professional, Bashar is known for his expertise in community relations, gender equality, human rights, and aid effectiveness in the MENA region. He is skilled in networking, public relations, and event management, Fluent in Arabic, English, Russian and basic reading skills in Hebrew.