From: Palestine
Graduated: 2002
University: SOAS
Course: Masters International Studies & Diplomacy
Basil graduated in 2002 with a postgraduate degree in International Studies and Diplomacy from SOAS. He is now working in the Middle East Trading Department for Kolmar Group AG, a worldwide trading company located in Zug in Switzerland.
Prior to starting his career in trading, Basil worked with various non-profit and non-governmental organisations where his work assignments included coordinating and fundraising for projects related to youth education and development.
Throughout his career, Basil has been involved in community work. During his study in the UK 2001-2002, he was elected Vice-President of the General Union of Palestinian Students (GUPS) in the UK and Ireland. He then joined the National Association for Science and Development (NASD) and Irish Charity Concern, working in refugee camps in Gaza and with local communities in London.
In 2007, he initiated a yearly scholarship programme to sponsor undergraduate female students in the Gaza Strip to study at local universities (the programme is now sponsored by his current employer).
In 2008, Basil joined Community Organizing. He trained the Israeli-Palestinian Negotiations Partners in Jerusalem during late 2009 with Marshall Ganz, a Senior Lecturer in Public Policy at the Hauser Centre for Non-profit Organisations, Havard Kennedy School, USA. He continued his work with Marshall Ganz in 2010, when he trained 30 Jordanian activists in Amman.