Alaa Alsewid is originally from Syria, and she joined the humanitarian field 10 years ago when she was just 16 years old in 2011 – right when the crisis in her country began. Alaa began volunteering with an NGO to help internally displaced people who fled their homes to seek shelter in schools at that time – they provided food, clothes, and basic education to children. Alaa was really keen to make a difference in her own community, especially in the lives of other young people who had huge ambitions and goals. So she began organising social events to help provide them with opportunities – for example, she led a team of 41 volunteers to organise Startup Weekend Homs, a 54-hour long event where would-be entrepreneurs from all corners of Syria gathered to pitch their businesses. Alaa has also organised a series of TEDx talks! Alaa’s diverse work history includes roles at IFRC as a Communication Delegate (X-media) and an internship with UNHCR’s Social Media Unit. She is currently a Communication Officer with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

Participant in: August 2024 Fellowship: The Arts as a Tool for Peacebuilding