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About Istar Ahmed
Social Development Specialist, Policy Expert & Education Advocate
Istar Ahmed is a distinguished social development specialist, policy expert, and education advocate with extensive expertise in governance, policy development, education, youth, and women’s empowerment. She has provided independent consultancy services to governments, UN agencies, the private and public sectors, civil society organizations, and academia, driving inclusive, innovative, and sustainable policies.
As a policy entrepreneur, Istar has played a pivotal role in youth and women’s empowerment in post-conflict settings, particularly in Somalia. She served as the National Advisor for Youth Development Affairs, leading high-level dialogues on education, youth engagement, and women’s leadership in peacebuilding. From August 2022 to May 2023, she voluntarily served as Senior Strategic Advisor on Policy and Programs at Somalia’s Federal Ministry of Youth & Sports, successfully leading the development of Somalia’s first Youth Policy (2023–2030).
She was nominated as a Peace Ambassador by the Toronto World Peace Forum and has played a key role in community mediation and interfaith initiatives in Toronto, Canada. Currently, Istar works with Humanitarian HR, focusing on safeguarding, workplace assessments, and violence prevention across Africa. She holds a Master’s in International Relations, a BA in Social Work, and a Graduate Diploma in Project Management. Her work continues to shape education, governance, policy development, and social impact initiatives, both nationally and globally.
Policy and program Specialist
hi@istarahmed.com
Phone
+971505344052