Tarun Kumar Reddy

Intern

I am Tarun Kumar Reddy, a fourth-year student from the School of Computing and Data Science at Sai University, Chennai, India. I was born and raised in a small city called Anantapur in Andhra Pradesh, India. I later joined Sai University for my undergraduate studies, where I was part of its founding batch. At Sai University, I am majoring in Data Science, learning Mathematics, Programming, Machine Learning, Computer Vision, and Natural Language Processing. Along with my major, I am doing a minor in Economics. My interests include Technology, Strategy, Development studies, Social Impact, and Public Policy. I believe in multi-disciplinary education and that the solutions to pressing problems come from combining multiple disciplines. Apart from academics, I am an active volunteer at Sai University, conducting several events and activities.

My journey with Sherman and Trebuchet started in my second semester(2022) when I started working with him to manage the Trebuchet website and design posters for his courses at Sai University. Our relationship has strengthened over time, and I have worked as a designer for many courses he offered at SaiU. I also served as a teaching assistant for the Global Challenges course in 2023-24, and now I work with him on various aspects of the Trebuchet. I was fortunate enough to meet a lot of people from the Trebuchet community, and Sookrit Malik, founder and CEO of Energeia, is one of them. I was glad that he offered me an internship at Energeia as a Business Analyst. Apart from our professional relationship, Sherman serves as a mentor, and I discuss different aspects of my life and get guidance from him in all major decisions I make.

AMEDEO BETTAUER

Intern

I'm a sophomore at Brookline High School, but I grew up in the greatest city in the world, New York City. I like to slot in time each day to catch up on world news - a habit I picked up growing up with NPR over breakfast, which sparked my early appreciation for storytelling and current events.

I write for The Cypress, Brookline High's newspaper, exploring issues that affect our school community. I am the co-captain of the Brookline Speech and Debate team, where I compete in Extemporaneous Speaking, analyzing political questions with minimal preparation time. In this activity, I have been a finalist at many tournaments and qualified for the 2025 national competition in Chicago, IL. I'm also the co-founder of the Brookline Invests club, where I help fellow students understand the factors behind financial markets and economic trends.

Last summer, I worked on AI and Digital Strategy as an intern with the City of Amsterdam, the Netherlands. While navigating AI strategy in a government context was fascinating, it also reinforced my belief that understanding how different fields intersect - from journalism to policy to technology - is crucial for addressing complex challenges.

When not writing or competing, you might find me practicing the harp, crafting fancy coffee drinks, or keeping up my 700+ day Duolingo streak (which has helped me learn conversational Dutch and Japanese, as well as a bit of German). I'm excited to work with Sherman and be part of the Trebuchet community.

Srikanth Reddy

Intern

I’m currently pursuing a Master’s in Computer Science at Boston University, driven by a strong passion for both technology and business. Originally from Anantapur, Andhra Pradesh, my journey has been fueled by a curiosity to solve real-world problems through user-centered design and innovative thinking. I’m especially drawn to the product side of technology, where technical insight meets strategic decision-making to create impactful, scalable solutions.

At Boston University, I’ve had the opportunity to explore this intersection of tech and business more deeply through a machine learning project called WLF, developed within BU Spark!—the university’s innovation and experiential learning lab. This project focuses on building an image classification model, and I’ve contributed in both technical and product roles. I worked on implementing and refining the machine learning pipeline on the development side. At the same time, I served as a product manager, defining the product vision, prioritizing features, and shaping the roadmap. This dual experience allowed me to bridge the gap between engineering and strategy, reinforcing my ability to lead cross-functional efforts and think holistically about product development. BU Spark! has been instrumental in honing my skills and deepening my passion for building meaningful, user-centered solutions.

Before beginning my graduate studies, I spent two years growing from a curious intern into a product-minded software engineer. During this time, I worked on a range of projects that pushed me to think beyond code—projects involving backend services, microservices, web applications, and even machine learning tools. These experiences helped me build a strong foundation in developing scalable, reliable systems while also teaching me the importance of collaboration and communication across diverse teams.

As I gained experience, I became increasingly drawn to the decision-making side of product development—understanding how features are defined, why certain priorities are chosen, and how user needs and business goals come together to shape what gets built. I naturally began taking on responsibilities beyond development: contributing to feature roadmaps, aligning technical execution with product vision, and thinking critically about the broader impact of the work. This is where I truly found my passion—at the intersection of technology and business, where creativity, strategy, and engineering come together to solve real problems.

I completed my undergraduate studies in Computer Science at Parul University, where I built a strong foundation in technical and problem-solving skills through coursework in algorithms, software design, and data science. Beyond academics, I developed leadership and communication skills as a volunteer with the National Service Scheme (NSS), where I led a team of ten to deliver STEM education programs to underserved communities. This experience deepened my sense of purpose and sparked my interest in using technology to make a real-world impact.

I met Sherman through my brother, and since then, I’ve had the privilege of getting to know not only him but also the inspiring community he has cultivated through The Trebuchet. His thoughtful guidance and unwavering belief in meaningful engagement have made a lasting impact on me. Becoming part of this network fills me with both pride and a sense of responsibility. Supporting Sherman and The Trebuchet by helping maintain the website has given me a rewarding way to contribute to a mission I deeply respect. I’m truly grateful to be part of a community that values curiosity, connection, and purpose.

Jonathan Talmor

I am a rising senior at Brookline High School who has been on the football team and rowing team. I am part of my school’s Jewish Student Union club and participate in the film club. My interest in international relations is partially derived from my Israeli heritage. Every summer going to Israel as a kid, politics and war were always topics spoken about all around me. This being the case I have taken a keen interest in learning about them. In addition I also love learning foreign languages. I am fluent in Hebrew and take Chinese and Japanese as language classes at school. Outside of school, if I am not on a shift at my part time job, I am either making music, playing basketball and soccer, or hanging out with my friends or family. I also enjoy reading when I am looking for a quiet time.

Sherman is my next door neighbor and has been a long time friend of my family and I. Sherman one day presented me with this internship opportunity and a chance to help build the community on the Trebuchet, while learning a lot about my personal interests. As for my future, I eventually either want to practice law or start a business. This being said, I believe building communities of people from all over the world and learning more about international relations are very important in contributing to this goal.

In the end, international relations have a tie to everything in one way or another. It impacts so much of our everyday lives. The Trebuchet really helps this message become clear and helps make the best connections between many different people and places.

Mata Wakefield

Intern

I am currently a sophomore in the screened fine arts department at Edward R. Murrow High School in New York City. Growing up in New York City has made me appreciative of people’s cultures and I’ve become conscious of how I’m constantly exposed to so much diversity. My parents both have jobs that focus on international affairs and I have grown up listening and participating in their conversations, which has created a sense of global awareness and curiosity about the world. 

I am still figuring out and exploring what I’m interested in, but right now I’m passionate about environmental issues and climate change. Outside of school, I enjoy printmaking and rock climbing. I also play soccer and recently started volunteering at a local non-profit organization. I enjoy learning about astronomy, history, and sociology, but I’m especially interested in climate change and environmental issues. This summer I’m studying in Portugal to learn more about how humans are impacting our climate and ecosystems and what we can do to mitigate that impact. 

My dad introduced me to Sherman, who was his professor when he was a student at Tufts University. I am excited to work with Sherman and learn more through working with him and being part of The Trebuchet.

[Teichman:] One could not fail to be impressed by this young woman, and knowing her lineage :) I know this is going to be a wonderful reciprocal working relationship.

Maria Udalova

Intern

I am a senior at Brookline High School, which I transferred to during my sophomore year after moving from Florida. I have had a diverse upbringing across Russia, Cyprus, and London, facilitated by my parent’s love for new adventures and change as well as their inability to stay in one place for too long — my mother jokes that it’s because of our Romani heritage, and I find it hard to disagree. Our constant travels have shaped my love for new experiences, ideas, people, and initiatives. 

In the summer of 2022, I was introduced to nuclear disarmament advocacy while interning with Sherman. This sparked my deep involvement in nuclear disarmament activism during my junior year. Since then, I’ve become a steering committee member of Students for Nuclear Disarmament (SND) and the founding president of the Brookline SND chapter.  I am incredibly proud of how we’ve grown as a student organization over the past year. We have coordinated events such as a webinar on the intersection of climate change and nuclear weapons, and SND members are constantly spreading awareness of the importance of youth in the disarmament movement by participating in events like panels and other forums. 

My advocacy work has taken me coast to coast — lobbying in DC, participating in Hiroshima and Nagasaki remembrance events in Seattle, presenting to advocacy groups on youth engagement, and leading 30 students in lobbying at the Massachusetts State House for climate and disarmament legislation. I’ve also received the Youth Nuclear Abolition award from IPPNW and GBPSR for my advocacy, an honor I can’t describe.  

In addition to my disarmament work, I serve as the Director of Policy Development at the American Youth Association (AYA), where I research and generate youth-centered legislation. Working with AYA has been an insightful experience, offering a deep dive into policy creation. I am confident that the motivated youth I work with will be capable leaders of our country when the time comes.

Through these experiences, I’ve learned that advocacy is often an uphill battle, but I refuse to lose hope. I’ve been fortunate to have a supportive team around me, pushing me to grow and develop my skills. As I prepare for the college application process, I plan to pursue a degree in Political Science and International Affairs, excited for the challenges and growth that await.

At Brookline High, I am the captain of the Mock Trial and Speech and Debate clubs, and the Secretary General of the Model UN club. These activities allow me to engage in meaningful discourse, hone my argumentative skills, and mentor other students. I’m also involved in the Climate and Food Justice club as an editor for The Greenzine, I’m the editor for the BHS literary magazine Refractions, and I was previously a staff writer for the school newspaper, the Cypress. 

In the Brookline community, I work in a pottery studio, volunteer at the Brookline food pantry, and am currently pursuing a warrant article to disqualify nuclear weapons companies from getting contracts with our town.  Don’t let my 5,4” stature fool you — I also play for my school’s Rugby Football Club and can be a pretty effective right wing.

I first met Sherman when he came to my Global Leadership class as a guest speaker. Captivated by his insights, I sought out an internship with him, knowing it would be an unparalleled journey. With his encouragement, I secured a spot in the Oslo Scholars program, becoming the first non-university student to do so, and interned with the Belarusian NGO Ecohome. At Ecohome, I’ve researched materials for publication on activist repression in Belarus and broader environmental rights protection issues across Europe and the U.S.

Every day, I’m inspired by the Trebuchet community and the impact we continue to make together. As I look ahead, I’m eager to see where my advocacy journey will lead, and I feel confident knowing I have the unwavering support of this incredible team by my side.

[Teichman:] Maria has proven to be an extraordinary, delightful, and productive contributor to making The Trebuchet be more disciplined and organized than I could have hoped. :) She has won second place in the Massachusetts state-wide debate championship. She has broken precedent in enabling me to successfully sponsor a high school student to become an Oslo Scholar. Given her Russian language skills, she will be working with an Oslo Scholar human rights activist from Belarus. I have had tremendous fun recommending her for her MENSA award.

Nitya Srinivasa

Intern

I am a rising freshman at Trinity College, where I plan to major in biomedical engineering. I was on the Girls Varsity Swim Team at Brookline High School, Co-President of the Key Club (a student-led volunteering organization), Youth Advisory Member of an organization known as Design for Change (DFC), and I will be finishing up my final classical Indian dance graduation (known as an Arangetram) this summer at Triveni School of Dance.

My passion for helping others and demonstrating improvement through change is one I would like to hold on to the most. I started this journey my freshman year of high school with DFC, as I tackled the bullying issue that was spreading among Kindergarteners and 4th graders. My Kindness Project led me to teach in-class discussions with the students and engage with them, which allowed me to personally understand the root cause of the unkind behavior (it was the lack of communication; the students didn’t know how to say “no” or speak up for themselves). By the end of the two weeks, the students learned how to use their active voice while being assertive and learned how to speak up. I also did a mental health project during the midst of COVID with high school students. I noticed patterns of different social behaviors among my own friends and wanted to learn how to help them with their stress and anxiety. Lastly, the Key Club was the final big project that I decided to take charge of in my senior year of high school.

Holding monthly musical sessions at various Senior Living Facilities was truly one of the most heartwarming experiences I was a part of. My activism has always taken place within the Brookline and Greater Boston community. I have found that working among a smaller group of people has allowed me to dive into the specific problems around me. Empowering transformation and creating impact are beliefs that inspire my actions every day.

Although I will be leaving Boston and moving to Connecticut for college, I will make sure to pave a new path for myself through leadership. I hope to use the skills I learn at Trebuchet and apply them to the work I will do at Trinity College. My goal for the future is to break apart the injustices this world has to offer and mend them by helping the world through scientific innovations and a mathematical approach.

Sherman has taught me that everyone has a bold and important story to tell. We have all faced challenges, but we have also overcome many. The most valuable thing we can do is stay in the moment and do the very best we can now.

Sandenna McMaster

“Aide de camp”

In 2021, I graduated from Lewis & Clark College, where I received a degree in International Relations with a concentration in the Middle East and Northern Africa region. On campus, I served as the co-chair for the 59th Lewis & Clark International Affairs Symposium: “System Shocks: Finding Clarity in a Chaotic World”. I was also an active participant in the French Club, the College Outdoors program, and the Botany club. During my studies, I had several external opportunities to conduct research projects surrounding humanitarian conflict resolution, environmental sustainability and agricultural adaptation, policy implementation and tribal conflicts in Western Africa. Originally from Alaska and a dual citizen of France and the United States, I had the chance to grow up with diverse narratives from the communities surrounding me. This instilled in me an understanding of the power of perspective, cross-cultural collaboration, and the interconnectedness of the issues our systems face today. 

Through my academic and professional career, I sought every opportunity to explore the world — to interact with diverse cultures and environments. In 2016, I founded a project to finance and deliver educational supplies to over 150 children in the coastal village of Gomoa Fetteh, Ghana. In the summer of 2017, I researched and collaborated with an advocacy group in Ollantaytambo, Peru to fund the building of a primary school in the remote, mountainous village of Willoc Alto. Through these experiences, I not only continued to grow my passion for global development, but also challenged myself to see how and by what means others interact with the world around them.

After graduating, I followed my interest in conflict analysis and mitigation and began working as a research assistant in Paris, focusing on the concepts of memory, vengeance, and retributive justice in conflict. I then worked as a paralegal for the International Arbitration team at Bird & Bird LLP, focusing on Middle Eastern and North African arbitral cases. Here, I have gained the necessary technical knowledge on international law, and the mechanisms at work behind international negotiations, treaties, and relations. 

Throughout my travels and the different places I have lived, I have been able to keep my connection to my hometown of Palmer, Alaska strong through my favorites hobbies: climbing (both on rock and ice), hiking, snowboarding, and backpacking.

Meeting through a mutual friend, I have had the pleasure and privilege to get to know Sherman Teichman, and in turn, this incredible community he has created. Joining the Trebuchet fills me with both a sense of great pride and of greater responsibility; it serves not only as a network of inspiring global actors, but a wholly necessary conduit for multidisciplinary connections and collaborations that ignite innovative projects for a prosperous future.  

[Teichman:] Sandenna is a wonderful friend and an extraordinary asset for The Trebuchet. I recently had a fun moment when having introduced her to Anne Gibbon, who inevitably was impressed by her and asked my permission to hire her away from The Trebuchet, which I immediately granted. And now, as one wonderful outcome of Convisero, they are both working closely together to develop Matri. Matri aims to drive the research agenda and the standard for human machine interfaces, leading the development of software and hardware products that redefine the human relationship to machines and the data language used to communicate with them and measure our world. Sandenna continues to assist me.

Mt. Marathon - Seward, Alaska

Matanuska Glacier - Chickaloon, Alaska

Chloe Yau

Intern

I am currently a sophomore at Tufts University, pursuing a degree in International Relations and Environmental Studies. Growing up in Hong Kong, a diverse melting pot of cultures, ignited my passion for exploring global issues and fostering social change.

During my gap year, I interned at a local refugee center in Hong Kong, where I learned about the challenges and discrimination refugees face, including their lack of work rights. This experience inspired me to write and publish "The Displaced Cookbook: Untold Refugee Stories and Ethnic Recipes," a collection of compelling stories and recipes from eight women seeking asylum. The project’s impact extended beyond fundraising, winning the Spark for Goods Awards X Ethikaal "Special Mention Award”, garnering local media attention, and amplifying the voices of refugees and asylum seekers in my city.

At fifteen, I was selected as the only student from Hong Kong to attend United World College Costa Rica for the last two years of high school. Living and studying among passionate peers from over 70 countries enhanced my appreciation for intercultural collaboration, as well as the interconnectedness of global challenges. My interest in immigration and human rights continued to grow as I established a student group, "Through Their Eyes," to raise funds and support Haitian and Venezuelan refugees in Costa Rica. Recently, I produced the short film Dreams of Asylum under the Salmanowitz Program at Boston College. I brought together a group of passionate young individuals to create a compelling film that delves into the struggles of young adult refugees in Hong Kong. Through their stories of navigating stability and identity amidst adversity, the film invites viewers to critically reflect on Hong Kong's role in the refugee crisis and the broader challenges of displacement.

At Tufts, I actively pursue my commitment to immigration and human rights as the co-president of Tufts Amnesty International. I also lead the Hong Kong cultural community as president of the Hong Kong Student Association and volunteer to teach English to Latin American immigrants at the Chinatown Asian American Center.

Outside of class, I enjoy surfing, watersports, practicing kung fu, and backpacking. I was acquainted with Sherman by my professor Heather and have since been introduced to Trebuchet’s incredible and tightly-knit community. I am excited to learn from Sherman and Trebuchet’s interconnected community, to explore the world through different lenses, and to find common ground in making a positive difference in the world.

Tarun M.R.

Intern

I’m Tarun M.R., a sophomore at the School of Computing and Data Science at Sai University, Chennai, India. I’m majoring in Computing and Data Science with a minor in Economics. Originally from Trichy, Tamil Nadu, I completed middle school there before moving to Chennai for high school, where I currently reside.

I’ve always considered myself to be a multipotentialite, with interests spanning various fields. Music plays a big part in my life — I listen to genres ranging from hip-hop and pop to jazz, J-pop, EDM, and indie. Moreover, I’ve been curious to learn about music production and I recently started learning how to play the guitar! I also love to watch a variety of anime and enjoy reading mangas and manhwas. When I’m not immersed in stories, I love watching and rating movies and series on Letterboxd or gaming on my laptop. I’ve developed a budding interest in philosophy, transitioning from reading fiction to exploring Eastern and Western philosophy, ethics, existentialism, and metaphysics. I’m excited to dive into works by Dostoevsky and Kafka. Additionally, I’ve been learning German through Duolingo and am close to achieving a one-year streak! Sports have also played a significant role in my life. I hold district level silver and bronze medals in swimming and running and enjoy playing badminton and chess in my free time.

At Sai University, I actively engage in various clubs and initiatives, including the Computer Society, Entrepreneurship, Chess, Astronomy, Photography, and Gaming clubs. I’m also a member of the Nominations and Election Commission. As a writer for the Youth Red Team, I contribute to an initiative aimed at testing ChatGPT models for vulnerabilities, and I’ve been invited to contribute to Zeitgeist, SaiU’s student-run journal. I’m passionate about specific fields in computer science and am actively learning new things to improve myself. Currently, I’m collaborating on a project to streamline the election process at our university. I deeply value the multidisciplinary education SaiU offers, which resonates with my diverse interests and ambitions.

My first conversation with Sherman Teichman left a lasting impression on me. His openness, mentorship, and emphasis on trust deeply resonated with me, and I’m grateful for the opportunities he has provided. Currently, I’m creating posters for The Trebuchet’s Global Challenges and MENA courses and will soon manage the community’s website. Sherman has offered me incredible opportunities, and I’m committed to making the most of them. I’m excited to be part of The Trebuchet community and look forward to contributing meaningfully while learning from this incredible network of thinkers and changemakers.

Beth Simone Noveck

Beth Simone Noveck is the Director of the Burnes Center for Social Change and a professor at Northeastern University, where she also leads the GovLab, a partner project dedicated to improving governance through technology. She holds faculty positions at the Institute for Experiential AI, the School of Law, and in the College of Social Sciences and Humanities, the College of Arts, Design, and Media, the College of Engineering, and is affiliated faculty at the Khoury College of Computer Sciences.

At Northeastern, Beth directs the AI for Impact program and the InnovateMA co-op, which partners with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to empower students to use artificial intelligence and human-centered design for public sector innovation. Her work focuses on using AI to reimagine participatory democracy and strengthen governance. In collaboration with Citizens Foundation, she is building AI-enabled tools to enhance collective intelligence and participatory problem-solving. Beth also shares her insights on AI, democracy, and governance on her blog, Reboot Democracy.

In 2024, Beth was appointed Chief AI Strategist for the State of New Jersey by Governor Murphy. She previously served as the State’s founding Chief Innovation Officer, leading efforts to modernize government services, improve data transparency, and strengthen digital public infrastructure. This included projects like streamlining unemployment insurance, coordinating COVID-19 response efforts, and building open data platforms to enhance workforce development and business growth.

Before joining Northeastern, Beth served as the first United States Deputy Chief Technology Officer under President Obama, where she founded the White House Open Government Initiative. She also served as a senior advisor for Open Government for UK Prime Minister David Cameron and as a member of Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Digital Council from 2018 to 2021.

Beth is a pioneering civic technologist, having created early platforms like Unchat, Peer-to-Patent, and Democracy Island in Second Life, all designed to make government more transparent, collaborative, and responsive. She is the founder of open, online courses like Solving Public Problems, Open Justice, and InnovateUS, which have trained social innovators and public sector professionals in over 100 countries.

Beth is the author of Solving Public Problems: How to Fix Our Government and Change Our World (Yale Press, 2021), named a Best Book of 2021 by Stanford Social Innovation Review. Her latest book, Democracy Rebooted: How AI Can Save Democracy, explores the role of artificial intelligence in revitalizing democratic institutions.

Beth’s contributions to technology and governance have earned her numerous accolades, including recognition as one of the “Foreign Policy 100” by Foreign Policy, one of Fast Company’s “100 Most Creative People in Business,” and one of the World’s 100 Most Influential Academics in Government by Apolitical. She received a doctorat honoris causa from the University of Geneva in October 2023.

Alaina Riggs

Alaina Riggs is a 2/c cadet (junior) at the United States Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut, majoring in Marine and Environmental Science with a concentration in Fisheries Biology and Geospatial Intelligence. Alaina is currently working on a capstone project focused on OILMAP Validation of Geographic Response Strategies in the Great Lakes.

Born and raised in Tehachapi, California, Alaina has been swimming since she was six years old, accumulating seven years of club swimming experience and four years of varsity swimming, where she served as team captain. In addition to athletics, Alaina participated in student government, mathletes, and community service projects, and worked as a lifeguard, teaching swim lessons to children.

Alaina chose the Coast Guard Academy, inspired by her older sister, a United States Naval Academy graduate and now an Ensign in the Navy. However, Alaina’s passion for environmental and humanitarian missions drew her to the Coast Guard’s unique blend of service and conservation.

At the Academy, Alaina is a member of the swim and water polo teams, participates in the campus marine science club, and served in the Delta Company Command during the Fall 2024 semester. She has taken coursework in marine and fisheries biology, oceanography, emergency management, and environmental studies, building a strong foundation for a career in marine science and conservation.

Alaina has a deep passion for helping others and is excited to expand her impact through the telehealth drone demonstration this summer. She looks forward to applying her knowledge to make positive changes in the world as a Pacific Ally, and hopes to be an exemplary influence on those she meets and bonds with during this journey.

Charlie Klinger

Charlie Klinger is a 2/c cadet at the United States Coast Guard Academy, majoring in Marine and Environmental Science with a concentration in Fisheries Biology and Geospatial Intelligence. Her capstone project focuses on developing strategies to transition Station San Juan, Puerto Rico, to operate entirely on renewable energy.

Originally from Port Tobacco, Maryland, Charlie graduated second in her high school class while serving as President of the National Honor Society and Vice President of her class. She completed a rigorous four-year advanced biomedical sciences program, which sparked her early interest in public health and technology. Charlie is excited to participate in a telehealth drone demonstration, exploring how emerging technology can deliver life-saving care to remote or underserved communities.

A dedicated multi-sport athlete in high school, she competed in soccer, softball, cross country, and swimming. At the Academy, she continues her involvement in athletics as the Women’s Lacrosse Team Manager. Her academic pursuits include coursework in Fisheries Biology, Oceanography, and Emergency Management.

Charlie’s lifelong connection to the water—boating, fishing, and exploring the Chesapeake Bay—instilled in her a passion for marine conservation and service. As a 2025 Pacific Allies Internship participant, she looks forward to applying her scientific background and personal experiences to support coastal communities, promote environmental resilience, and build cross-cultural partnerships throughout the Pacific region.

Ferdinand Safari

MG (Rtd) Ferdinand Safari is a Rwandan national who grew up in Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.

He holds a master’s degree in Public Administration from Maastricht School of Management in the Netherlands and a Master’s degree in Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College. He is also a holder of a post graduate diploma in Strategic Studies from the University of Nairobi, Kenya.

He served as a career officer in the Rwanda Defence Force for 28 years and attended all professional tactical, operational and strategic military courses for career officers in Rwanda and abroad.

During his career as a military officer, he held various appointments in command, staff and training. The most recent appointments include Director General Policy & Strategy in the Ministry of Defence, Chief of Plans at the Rwanda Defence Force HQ, Force Chief of Staff in the UN PKO in the Sudan (UNAMID), Commandant of the Rwanda Military Academy and PSO Pre-Deployment Training, Defence Attaché in the USA and Canada, Director of Training at the Defence Force HQ and Infantry Battalion Commander on African Union Mission in Sudan.

Forty Prominent Israelis Express Deep Gratitude to Deputies Behind FT Letter

A group of forty prominent Israeli figures — including former military commanders, diplomats, Knesset members, academics, and civil society leaders — have issued a powerful statement of appreciation to the 36 members of the Board of Deputies of British Jews who signed an open letter in the Financial Times criticizing the Israeli government’s conduct in the Gaza conflict.

The Israeli signatories, among them former IDF commanders, ambassadors, legal scholars, and leading intellectuals, acknowledged the personal risks the deputies face and lauded their "support in the battle we are fighting for the future and soul of Israel." They warned that the government’s current trajectory undermines democratic institutions and prioritizes power consolidation over the safe return of hostages and genuine peace.

The letter criticizes Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government for promoting “Jewish supremacy” and choosing “perpetual warfare” over diplomacy. The signatories underscore the need for unity in the Jewish world to uphold democratic and human values and condemn the silence of many communal leaders in the face of this crisis.

“The toll taken in the lives of Israeli soldiers, the unbearable suffering of the hostages and their families, and the destruction of Gaza... have failed to deter the Netanyahu government,” the letter states, calling instead for a diplomatic path forward.

Among those expressing gratitude are Avraham Burg, former Speaker of the Knesset; Prof. Naomi Chazan; former ambassadors Colette Avital and Alon Liel; former Attorney General Michael Ben-Yair; and dozens of others spanning Israel’s military, academic, and civil service spheres.

Read the full article here: Jewish News – Forty Prominent Israelis Express Gratitude

Holding on to Humanity: The Parents Circle 2024 Annual Report

In a year of unbearable loss and widening divides, the Parents Circle – Families Forum (PCFF) has remained a powerful voice for reconciliation. Founded in 1995, the PCFF is a joint Israeli-Palestinian organization made up of over 800 bereaved families—those who have lost loved ones to the conflict. The 2024 annual report offers a sobering yet hopeful glimpse into how these families have chosen connection over hatred in the wake of October 7, 2023.

From uni-national healing circles to binational Zoom gatherings, from summer camps in Cyprus to legal battles with the Israeli Ministry of Education, PCFF programs persisted even as war and trauma reshaped every part of life. The group welcomed 75 new bereaved families this year, expanding its base of personal stories that serve as catalysts for understanding and peacebuilding.

Highlights of 2024 include:

• Over 150 Dialogue Meetings in Israel, Palestine, and globally, including outreach to over 3,000 international participants.

• Youth Engagement: 39 Israeli and Palestinian teens attended a joint summer camp in Cyprus.

• Care and Solidarity: 500 care packages and 1,200 school kits were distributed to Palestinian families amid deepening humanitarian needs.

• Global Advocacy: The “Listening from the Heart” initiative, run in collaboration with Georgetown University, introduced PCFF’s dialogue model across 35 U.S. colleges.

• Media and Storytelling: 29 audiovisual testimonials, podcasts, and creative campaigns shared messages of peace and reconciliation worldwide.

• Recognition: PCFF received major peace awards, including the Pax Christi International Peace Award and the Danish PL Foundation Freedom Award.

The report also highlights structural challenges. The group faced removal from Israel’s school programming platform—a decision they continue to contest legally. Despite these setbacks, their message has reached more people than ever.

To read the full 2024 annual report, click here.

Esti Shohat Rozenfeld Appointed CEO of Tech2Peace

Esti Shohat Rozenfeld has taken on the role of Chief Executive Officer at Tech2Peace, an initiative focused on fostering Israeli-Palestinian cooperation through technology and dialogue.

With a background in software engineering and over 15 years of experience in the tech sector, Rozenfeld brings both technical expertise and a long-standing commitment to activism. Tech2Peace combines high-tech training with dialogue-based workshops, aiming to build a foundation for cross-border entrepreneurship and collaborative leadership.

In her statement, Rozenfeld emphasized the urgency of leadership during a time marked by instability, polarization, and collective grief:

“In these uncertain and unstable times, we are called to lead — to take action and guide our societies toward a just peace.”

She referenced Marshall Ganz’s definition of leadership as “accepting responsibility for enabling others to achieve shared purpose under conditions of uncertainty,” aligning it with Tech2Peace’s goals of social impact through innovation and cooperation.

Rozenfeld joins the organization at a time when civil society efforts remain critical for envisioning and building more inclusive futures across divided communities.

Siwoo Kim – A Life in Music

Siwoo Kim is an acclaimed violinist recognized for his incisive artistry and expressive nuance. Described as “compelling” by The New York Times and praised for his “stylistic sensitivity” by the Chicago Tribune, Siwoo performs internationally as a soloist and chamber musician. He is also the co-founding artistic director of the VIVO Music Festival in Columbus, Ohio.

Born in South Korea to parents who ran a music school, Siwoo began violin at the age of two-and-a-half. After immigrating to the U.S. at age five, he continued his musical studies with the support of his family, ultimately earning undergraduate and graduate degrees from The Juilliard School under Robert Mann and Donald Weilerstein.

Siwoo gave the world premiere of Samuel Adler’s violin concerto and recorded it on Linn Records to mark Adler’s 90th birthday. He made his concerto debut at Carnegie Hall with the Juilliard Orchestra and has since performed with numerous orchestras worldwide, including in the U.S., Europe, Asia, and Africa.

As a chamber musician, Siwoo co-founded Quartet Senza Misura and has collaborated with renowned artists such as Itzhak Perlman, Mitsuko Uchida, Joyce DiDonato, and members of the Juilliard and Guarneri Quartets. He has appeared at festivals including Marlboro, Tivoli, Bergen, Stellenbosch, and Fundación Juan March.

His accolades include the 2012 King Award for Young Artists and top prizes in competitions such as Corpus Christi, Juilliard, Ima Hogg, and Sejong. He is a former fellow of Carnegie Hall’s Ensemble Connect and performs on a 1753 “ex-Birgkit” Giovanni Battista Guadagnini violin on generous loan from Rare Violins In Consortium.

For more on Siwoo Kim’s music and upcoming performances, visit his website: www.siwookim.com

Entrepreneurship Across the Divide: A 50:50 Startups Alumni Gathering

Left to Right
Entrepreneurs from Israel and Palestine, Alumni of the 50:50 Startups program
Lee Tom Dotan, Aseel Farrah, Kassim Bashir

Aseel Farrah

Amir Grinstein and Lee Tom Dotan

Siwoo Kim with Sherman and Iris

Left to Right
Trebuchet Team  
Amadeo, Alejandro and Bruno

Infinite License: Reflections on Gaza and Historical Violence

In a powerful essay for The New York Review of Books, historian Omer Bartov explores how the memory of the Holocaust has been distorted to justify the ongoing destruction of Gaza and the silence surrounding it. His article, titled "Infinite License: The World After Gaza," draws troubling parallels between current events and past atrocities.

Bartov opens by recounting the 1904 Herero genocide in German Southwest Africa (modern-day Namibia), where German colonial forces issued an extermination order that resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of Herero people. He argues that such colonial frameworks of mass violence echo in the way Gaza's destruction has been rationalized and tolerated today.

The piece warns that invoking past traumas like the Holocaust to shield present-day violence erodes moral standards and undermines the very principles of human rights developed in its aftermath. Bartov stresses that this distortion is not only tragic but dangerously corrosive to international law, memory, and justice.

The essay ultimately calls readers to recognize the historical patterns repeating in Gaza — and the urgent need to resist the normalization of unchecked violence.

Read the full article here:
Infinite License: The World After Gaza — The New York Review of Books