The ICAN staff consists of experienced trainers in peacebuilding and secuirty issues particularly the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325. We offer workshops that are tailored to the specific needs of government- and UN agencies as well as NGO groups; have extensive experience in action and policy oriented research and analysis; and undertake independent programme evaluations and assessments.
Sanam Naraghi-Anderlini is the co-founder of the International Civil society Action Network (ICAN), a US-based NGO dedicated to supporting civil society activism in peace and security in conflict affected countries. For over a decade she has been a leading international advocate, researcher, trainer and writer on conflict prevention and peacebuilding. In 2000 she was among civil society drafters of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security. Between 2002-2005 as Director of the Women Waging Peace Policy Commission Ms. Anderlini led ground breaking field research on women’s contributions to conflict prevention, security and peacemaking in 12 countries. Since 2005 she has also provided strategic guidance and training to key UN agencies, the UK government and NGOs worldwide. In March 2007 in Nepal she led a UNFPA/UNDP needs assessment team into Maoist cantonment sites, meeting a range of fighters including women and provided training to the registration/verification teams.
In 2008 Ms. Anderlini was appointed as Lead Consultant for a new UNDP global initiative on the “Men and the Gendered Dimensions of Violence in Crisis Contexts”. She has served on the Advisory Board of the UN Democracy Fund (UNDEF), and in 2010 she was appointed to the Civil Society Advisory Group (CSAG) on Resolution 1325, chaired by Mary Robinson. Ms. Anderlini is a Research Affiliate at the MIT Center for International Studies. She has written extensively on women and conflict issues. Her latest book, Women Building Peace: What they do, why it matters was published by Lynne Rienner in 2007. Ms. Anderlini is Iranian, lives in Washington DC and has twin daughters.
Mavic Cabrera-Balleza, International Coordinator / Program Director GNWP
Mavic is the international coordinator of the Global Network of Women Peacebuilders (GNWP), a program of ICAN. She is responsible for the overall coordination and implementation of projects and programs developed through direct consultation with GNWP members.
Prior to joining ICAN, Mavic was the coordinator of the International Women’s Tribune Centre’s Women’s Human Rights, Human Security and Peacebuilding Program. Mavic also serves as the president of the World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters – Women’s International Network. She is also a member of the Executive Committee of the UN NGO Committee on the Status Women – New York and concurrently a member of the Coordinating committee of the Global NGO Forum on Beijing + 15. Additionally, she is a member of the Oversight Panel for UNDP’s Information Disclosure Policy. Mavic has a master’s degree in Communication Research with cognate on women’s studies. Her masteral thesis on Communication Strategies and Action on UNSCR 1325 in the Philippines was selected best thesis at the University of the Philippines College of Mass Communication.
Helena Gronberg, Program Associate
Helena joined ICAN in January and primarily focuses on the Global Network of Women Peacebuilders program. She administers a comprehensive activity program that will meet the needs and interests of the members of the GNWP. She coordinates the information and communication tools of the network and is responsible for the overall administration. Before joining ICAN and this dynamic network, Helena conducted research for a number of projects, including a handbook on international law and reconstruction, at the International Women’s Tribune Centre in New York. Helena has her roots in Finland where she escapes occasionally to enjoy the fresh air.