Donatella Rostagno, a graduate in Security, Conflict, and International Development, is a highly experienced specialist in women’s rights, human rights, peace, and security. She combines extensive field experience—particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa—with strong expertise in mediation support, political and conflict analysis, and a demonstrated track record in executive leadership and project management.
In her capacity as Senior Political Adviser to a former Member of the European Parliament, Ms. Rostagno worked extensively on issues related to Africa, Latin America, and West Asia, producing in-depth political and conflict analyses to inform high-level parliamentary decision-making.
She brings over 20 years of professional experience in cooperation with and support to civil society organizations in Sub-Saharan Africa, as well as more than a decade of leadership experience as Deputy Director and Director of EurAc, a Brussels-based organization specializing in human rights, conflict prevention, and advocacy.
Ms. Rostagno has led and implemented major electoral observation missions, including in Burundi (2010) and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (2011 and 2023). She also possesses extensive expertise in the Great Lakes region. As part of a consultancy with IOM Burundi, she coordinated a conflict prevention project focused on training police forces, locally elected officials, and community members. In addition, she has conducted conflict analysis studies in the region for GIZ and has examined EU–Burundi and France–Africa relations.
As Finance Officer at Interpeace Rwanda, I am deeply committed to strengthening financial accountability through precise reporting, robust accounting systems, and strict compliance with internal and external regulations. My work ensures our peacebuilding initiatives are supported by transparent and efficient financial management. I enjoy collaborating with colleagues to create a conducive work environment.
I am the Finance and Administration Manager at Interpeace Rwanda, with extensive experience in financial planning, budgeting, and organisational management. Strong financial stewardship ensures the strategic use of resources, while efficient administration streamlines operations—together, they form the foundation for achieving Interpeace’s mission of fostering peaceful and resilient communities.
I am Alice Mutarutwa, Finance and Administrative Assistant at Interpeace’s Kigali office, where I support financial operations and administrative systems that drive the organisation’s peacebuilding initiatives. Detail-oriented and dependable, I am eager to grow professionally in finance and administration. I take pride in contributing to an organisation that promotes peace and social cohesion to build resilient communities.
Graeme Simpson is the Principal Representative of Interpeace (NY) and Senior Peacebuilding Adviser at Interpeace, a global peacebuilding organization headquartered in Geneva and working in multiple conflict and immediate post-conflict zones around the world. Previously Graeme Simpson held the positions of Interpeace Director of Policy and Learning, and then Director of Interpeace USA.
In September 2016, Graeme was appointed by the UN Secretary General as the Independent Lead Author on the UN Security Council-mandated “Progress Study” on Youth, Peace and Security, under UN SCR 2250 (presented to the Security Council in April 2018 and to the UNGA in September 2018).
He is also an Adjunct Lecturer in Law at Columbia University School of Law in New York City, where he has taught a seminar on transitional justice and peacebuilding for the past 17 years, and was appointed as a visiting Professor at the African Leadership Center at Kings College in London (2021-2023).
Graeme Simpson has an LLB and an MA in History from the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa. He was co-founder (1989) and from 1995-2005 Executive Director of the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation (CSVR), in Johannesburg, South Africa. During this time he also served as Civilian Adviser to the Minister of Safety and Security in the first Mandela cabinet, and in that capacity was one of the primary authors of the South African National Crime Prevention Strategy (May 1996).
From 2005-2007, Graeme Simpson was the Director of Country Programs at the International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ), headquartered in New York City, and in that capacity oversaw the organization’s work on Transitional Justice in more than fifteen countries globally. Thereafter, he was the Director of Thematic Programs at the ICTJ for two further years (till November 2009), leading work on Prosecutions, Reparations, Truth-Seeking, Security System Reform, Memorials, Gender Justice, and a program on Peace & Justice.
Graeme Simpson serves on the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Transitional Justice (IJTJ) published by Oxford University Press. Simpson was also co-editor of a Special Issue of the International Journal on Transitional Justice (IJTJ) on Youth and Transitional Justice (March 2022). He also serves on the Advisory Board of the Peacebuilding Research and Education Program (PREP) at New York University; for four years to May 2023, sat on the International Advisory Committee of the Knowledge Management Platform for Security and the Rule of Law (KPSRL) based in The Hague, the Netherlands; is a member of the Advisory Committee of the Human Rights Institute at Columbia University School of Law; is on the Advisory Board of Impact Peace, at the Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice, University of San Diego; and is a member of the Advisory Board of CDA, Boston. Until 2016 he served as a member of the International Advisory Board of The International Conflict Research Institute (INCORE) at Ulster University, Northern Ireland.
Graeme Simpson has published widely in books and journals covering a wide range of issues and has been centrally involved in national and international civil society organizations for more than 30 years. He has worked as a consultant to both governmental and non-governmental organizations in various countries, as well as to various UN Agencies and Entities.
I am Nisha Uwase, a Programme Support Officer at Interpeace’s Rwanda. In my role, I support the coordination and implementation of our programmes, ensuring smooth and effective execution of activities. I am passionate about advancing peacebuilding efforts rooted in community voices and local ownership.