Introducing myself and my journal: Let's Talk

About Me:Theresa U Michael has over 25 years’ experience in the field of Gender and Development, Education, Corporate Public Relations, Peacebuilding and Human Rights of Women, Youth and Children in Nigeria, Kenya, Liberia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Somalia and GhanaTheresa Michael as Director, Senior Development Consultant, Trainer, and Team Leader, working with national and international organisations in various parts of Africa. She sits on the Board of several organisations, and actively participates in many regional and international networks. She is a multiple Social Entrepreneur, activist and writer, with multiple awards from innovative salient contributions to social development.

She holds an MA in International Politics and Security Studies from the University of Bradford, Department of Peacebuilding, Bradford, United Kingdom; a Bachelor of Education in English from University of Benin, Nigeria; a Postgraduate Certificate in Women, Gender and Development from the Royal Tropical Institute Amsterdam, Netherlands, and a Certificate in Public Relations from the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, a Certificate in Peacebuilding Organisations and Institutions from the Academy For International Conflict Management And Peacebuilding; and a Certificate in the Role of Women’s Organisations in Socio-Political Affairs from Africa-America Institute; and in 1994, she studied the United Nations Systems and its International Human Rights Mechanisms under the auspices of the Institute of International Education. She is a Fellow of Building Grassroots Democracy in Africa, a member of the International Citizens Exchange Network of the US Department of State, and an Ashoka Fellow, 2013. She sits on the advisory and management board of a number of organisations in Africa and other parts of the world, and has several publications to her credit.

Passions:Equity and Social Inclusion, Protection of the Human Rights of Vulnerable groups especially Women and Girls, Youth Employment and Social Entrepreneurship

Challenges:Funding, negative traditions, social resistance, and lack of political will

Vision for the Future:A world of gender-responsive, equitable and inclusive development and social security.

Areas of Expertise:Gender mainstreaming, Human Rights Protection and Legal Rights Advocacy, Education, Peacebuilding, Pro-Poor Development Programming, Training and Capacity Building, and Youth Development