The Revd the Lord Griffiths of Pembrey and Burry Port
OWW’s Patron

Leslie Griffiths has 40 years experience in development issues: in Haiti, where he lived from 1970-80, he worked in education and led initiatives in: community development, the provision of basic needs, reforestation and spiritual development; later work took him to countries throughout Africa. Currently he is Vice-Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Cambodia in the House of Lords. He has wide experience in education at all levels and involvement in many social projects in the UK. He is known to many as a regular columnist for the Methodist Recorder, a contributor to Thought for the Day and for the inspiring international and culturally inclusive services broadcast from Wesley’s Chapel.

The Revd the Lord Griffiths of Pembrey and Burry Port's message to OWW:

“It was a pleasure almost beyond words to be invited to offer my support since I’ve been a beneficiary of One World Week since it began its operations almost thirty years ago. It has stimulated my thinking, provided me with materials and ideas, and offered wonderfully open approaches to world development issues which ecumenical and mixed groups could join together to enjoy.”

Milind Kolhatkar

Chair, Board of Trustees

Milind likes to describe himself as a father of three Scottish-Indian teenagers. He lives in Edinburgh and has been involved in One World Week since a brief stint as part-time Scotland Project Officer. Over the years he has been active in the fields of anti-poverty, anti-racism, human rights and particularly refugee rights. He currently works with Edinburgh's Council for Voluntary Services supporting the Third Sector as it engages with Community Planning partners.

Ingrid Wilson

Trustee and Acting Treasurer

With experience as a teacher in Sierra Leone and Wales, Ingrid now runs the consultancy IDEAS (Intercultural Development Education & Arts Services) alongside many community activities.

Sarah Hirom

Trustee

Involved with OWW since 1978, Sarah oversees the Website, and, locally, is involved in local OWW/Interfaith initiative and Fairtrade. She was a University Lecturer (Geography and Development Studies) in Ghana and England, has travelled widely in Africa and, in 2007, was re-inspired by a visit to Cuba.

Stephen Harrow

Company secretary

Stephen is a graduate and Benefactor of the University of Exeter; and an Associate and Fellow of King's College London, where he formally worked for many years in a variety of administrative capacities.

In addition to his role at OWW, Stephen is the Chairman of the Board of the Strand Parishes Trust, the Clerk (CEO) of the All Saints Educational Trust and is also an Independent Member of the Standards Committee of the Council of the London Borough of Croydon.

Other interests include church music; he acts as an assistant choirmaster to two church-based choirs, and relaxes by composing occassional choral pieces for use in a liturgical setting.

Sarah Hayward

Trustee

Sarah Hayward has worked in development throughout her career first with Christian Aid, later World University Service and most recently with community led organisations working in countries emerging from conflict.   She was the first Director of Skills for Southern Sudan. She first came to know of the work of One World Week while working at Christian Aid.

 

Jonaid Jilani

Trustee

Jonaid Jilani currently works as a press officer for the Oxfam media unit, his specialist area being ethnic media in the UK disaster risk reduction and climate change.

Before joining Oxfam in 2009, Jonaid worked for Muslim Aid as a Communications Manager, it was during this time that he was advising OWW on the Ubuntu project. He also has a background in film and video production and has worked extensively with ethnic TV channels in the UK, travelling around the world to document issues of poverty and development.

Jeff Lynn

Project Manager for Ubuntu Project

Jeff has many years' experience working in the corporate sector in IT, Project Management and Customer Services.  He is actively involved in local inter faith work in Southampton, being vice-chair of Southampton Council of Faiths and a member of the Southampton SACRE.  He relishes the opportunity to help expand the involvement of different faith communities in One World Week events.  This brings together his organisational experience with his interest in inter faith dialogue and action and his belief in One World that is fundamental to his Baha'i faith.

Almenia Comrie

Finance/Administrative Officer

Mina has worked in the Charity Sector for over 8 years, supporting project in Rural Transport, Training for Unpaid Carers and English for Speakers of Other Languages.  She enjoys spending time with her family and has always had an interest in different faiths.

Sam Kennedy

Project Assistant

Sam has recently graduated from Oxford University with a degree in Ancient and Modern History. He is interested in the relationship between human communities and the urban environment. During his time at One World Week he hopes to learn more about the roles that different faith groups play in shaping the local community and to encourage a greater number of culturally diverse groups to take charitable action together.

Laura Bigoni

OWW Advisory Group Member

Laura is the CAFOD (Catholic Agency Overseas Development)Diocesan Officer for the Catholic Diocese of Portsmouth. CAFOD shares One World Week's mission of promoting global justice. Laura has a keen interest in development issues and enjoy s lobbying and campaigning, together with being actively involved in her parish church (Justice & Peace, fair trade, liturgy).

Mahmooda Qureshi

OWW Advisory Group Member

Having taught in secondary schools, Mahmooda is now at home bringing up her 3 young children.  She has been coordinating the Islam Awareness Week in Birmingham for the past 3 years.  Has been involved in community development work for the past decade, it is her ambition to help work towards a more integrated, just and caring society.  By being involved with One World Week, she believes, is one of the ways that ambition can be ‘globalised’.

Samia Ahmed

OWW Advisory Group Member

Samia is currently the Senior Development Education Coordinator for Islamic Relief, an international NGO where she responsible for strategically leading the unit and managing activity in the London region.  Samia was born, raised in London and graduated from City university business school in 1996 with a Bsc Hons Management and Systems science degree and obtained a Masters degree in Islamic Studies in 2005. Samia has had a variety of leadership and management roles and started working for  Islamic Relief in March 2009. Her work involves raising awareness on poverty and related issues through presentations, producing written materials and advocacy. She has recently been appointed on the Board of Directors for Jubilee Debt Campaign and also sits on the advisory board and as a consultant to One World Week. She has edited, written and produced resources, publications and articles on a wide range of topics related to poverty offering Muslim perspectives.